Re: Re: 2 kids, 34 years old and new to RA

October 10, 2005

hi abby

i'll keep you posted when i see the doc at the moment i'm really good. just a

bit of stiffness in my fingers and tiredness (only at night which is great) i

hope that i can keep on going like this

will be interesting to see rheumy and see what he says

mel

[ ] 2 kids, 34 years old and new to RA

>

> My name is Abby. I am 34 an had a baby in January and was

attacked

> by RA in March. I had no idea what was happening to me and it

was

> so hard to take care of my new baby and 3 year old. It started

in

> my feet and then went to every joint. I could barely hold the

baby

> and nursing was excruciating. I am a stay at home mom and my

> husband had no idea how bad I was. Nights were agonizing and I

just

> wandered the house waiting for morning and stretching. Finally

in

> June I went to a Dr. and by the end of July I had found out my

> diagnosis and an amazing Dr. Within 24 hours and Prednisone and

> pain pills I was able to pick up my baby almost pain free.

>

> I am sad about my RA at such a young age and fear the pain I may

> endure and the activities I may miss with my kids at such a

young

> age. However, my rheumatologist is a godsend. I am now on Arava

and

> Enberel I feel pretty much normal. I have an elbow that won't

go

> all the way straight but that is about it. They weaned me off

of

> Prednisone too fast and I had a flare up but since then I have

> increased my dose and am slowly weaning again.

>

> I feel completely alone in this and wonder about my future. Can

I

> still play tennis if I feel good or will it cause a flare? Can

I

> ride roller coasters or water ski or do I have to be careful and

> just watch my kids do the fun stuff? I constantly worry about a

> flare but I don't want to waste my time on it. Any advice? I

have

> been healthy all my life and now I am pumping so much medication

in

> to me it is just insane.

>

> I am glad that I found this site. I went to a support group

meeting

> and peeked in the door and saw a bunch of senior citizens. No

> offense, but I keep getting told that my age is the prime target

for

> RA but I still have not met anyone young and with kids. Thanks

to

> you all for the information. Abby

>

October 10, 2005