Dx w/ RA 12/02 - Looking for Meds experience

June 27, 2005

Hello All!!

As stated in my title, I was Dx'd w/ RA in Dec 02. I had been Tx'ing

with Aleve until my pregnancy. Since pg throws your body into a

psuedo-immune depression type state, pg was relatively easy until Baby

was about 4mo.

I've seen a lot of Ads on TV about different drugs, and have not

sought Tx w/ a rheumatologist bc of listed side effects. What I am

looking for is real life stories of drug experiences. If you could

answer the following questions, I'd greatly appreciate it. (I just

turned 30yo, and have had RA for a number of years but didn't get the

official Dx until 02.)

Currently, the RA is in my knees, my ankles, and staring in my wrists

and elbows. It hurts so badly to walk or stand, and even to mix

salads or chop up ground meat and the like for dinner. I'm starting

school this Fall for R.N. If I can't find a sensible drug Tx, I may

switch my major to Psychology so that I won't be on my feet so much

for work. I'd hate to go through 5 yrs of schooling only to find

myself unable to do my job.

Here are my questions:

How long and how progressed is your RA?

What drug are you on? It is injectible?

What therapies did you try before turning to Rx therapy?

How long did it take for RA to progress to get you to try Rx therapy?

What side effects have you had?

If you work on your feet or using your hands, how do you deal with the

pain both during and after? (Sometimes I can barely stand long enough

to cook my family's meals, as it hurts clear down through my shins and

joints.)

Thank you in advance for anything you have to offer.

Sara

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