Re: Re: Hi My name is Bobbi

November 10, 2005

Methotrexate and Humira have gotten me to a point where I'm 100% pain free. I

feel very lucky so far. I was diagnosed in April and I have a 5 yr old son. It

was so hard because I couldn't dress him anymore or help him with his car seat.

Now I can do it all again. However, my Dr. made me wait for the Humira wanting

to try other things first. I'm so grateful that I'm pain free. Good Luck

Beth <beth.mom@...> wrote:Hi Bobbi, the first thing that I need to say

is you are not alone.... second, visit arthritis.org to answer any questions

that you have. third, the more stressed you get about the possible diagnosis

(and you have reason to be stressed don't get me wrong!) the worse your

symptoms will get. Stress exacerbates the symptoms. Yoga is your friend!!!

Keep a positive attitude. You will overcome it just may not seem like it right

now. All the medicines that are available work differently for everyone. you

will try several as well as several combinations. some will work some won't.

the main thing to remember is patience and read the arthritis foundations guide

to medications. Many of the drugs' side effects are worse than the disease.

You just have to make informed decisions. Ask questions!! lastly, you have to

be your own advocate. You are in control of your health. The doctor isn't. I

was diagnosed three years ago and have waded through

scads of information to find out these simple truths. If you need me, I am

here for you. With love,Beth

>

> Hi, My name is Bobbi, and I am 33 years old and a stay at home Mom

> of 7 yr old Triplets and a 1 year old. I am a new member here and I

> just got the results back from my blood test. The nurse called and

> said my blood test showed a high level in my blood. I assume she

> means high level of the RF factor???? Anyway, she said that when

> levels are that high they worry about Lupus. I asked what my level

> was and she avoided the question. I am new to all this Lingo and

> completely upset by all of this. At first my pain was off and on,

> and usually could associate it with the weather. But for the past 6

> months or so I had noticed that my thumb and knee were hurting

> 24/7. Now my neck and shoulders also hurt really bad. I went to

> the dr. for a stiff neck and asked him if he would do a blood test

> for RA (I had read about the test online). He did the blood test

> that day and I just got the results back. They referred me to a

> Rheumotologist (so new to this I don't even know how to spell it

> yet! :-) I'm sure that will change soon).

>

> I guess why I'm posting is to find out what to expect from my first

> appt. at the specialist? Do they do more tests, etc. I have been

> writing down all the medications you guys talk about so I can ask

> him about them. It is all so overwhelming. I just know that I am

> sick and tired of hurting all the time. Hopefully that will change

> once I can start medication. Assuming of course that the

> specialists agrees that it is RA.

>

> Does the Humira and Methotrexate help the pain? Or are you all also

> prescribed pain meds?

>

> Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

>

> Bobbi

>

November 10, 2005