OT-- To Brit

January 22, 2006

Brit,

I don't post often these days. However, I try to keep up with the

reading. You just sound so much like me. It has been 10 years for

me, at least. The RA started shortly after the birth of my daughter

for me too.. She later regressed in development. My daughter is no

longer with me, but I was feeling the same way when caring for her.

I wanted her to have a healthy mom. I was 30 when I had her and

developed RA around 31, can't remember exact date anymore.

However, just wanted you to know it happens to us all from time to

time. I get the same reaction even now from a lot of people. They

stare beyond belief. A lot of the times I am with my husband and it

is embarrassing to him as well when they stare like that. They don't

say hi or anything, they just stare. I think to them I look too

young to limp and walk so slowly because they don't stare at older

people like that. A lot of RA sufferers are young when they get

the disease first of all and even years later they still look young.

The disease usually strikes between 25 and 50, give or take a few

years. Even children stare, more out of curiosity but I did have one

child to be afraid of me. I limp and now walk with a cane so I guess

that can be frightening to a small child. I am trying not to give up

going out in the public and trying to stay active even though I am

very limited.

I am not sure of your meds but there is a lot of info here on meds.

Also stay well hydrated, 8 to 10 cups of water a day, and you are

doing a great job at staying active. Stress-free helps if you can.

I do feel some of us have it more severely because I am in pain

nonstop and I meet others who say they have it but have flares maybe

once a year and I take the same meds they do or have at one time or

another. Your diet is very important too but it isn't one therapy

fits all. You have to find out what foods you react to. Being in

supportive, loving relationships help, eliminate the negativity too

but that's another topic.

Hang in there and take care.

Ebony

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