New Here

[Guest guest]

Hi. My name is Darlene, I am 54, and I was diagnosed with RA 16

months ago. I had had a lot of pain in my left wrist for about a

year. Mmy primary Dr. tried different meds. For a long time he

thought my porblem was tenditnitous (?), However, after trying

several pain releavers, nothing which I may add worked, he sent me

to see a Rhumetologist. When I called to make an apppointment, he

told me to have blood tests done before I went to him.Before I had

made the appointment, one finger on my right hand bent inward toward

my palm. This terrified me. I had no idea what had happened. There

was no warning. I had the tests and when I had my appointment with

him, he told me then that I had RA. I did not know much about RA.

My mother had arithritis,however. He immediately started me on

Prednisone for 2 weeks and then come back to him and we would talk

stratedgy. He said the Prednisone would work quickly, and it did.

He then put me on methotrexate. First 4 a week, then 6 a week, and

then 8 a week. This did not work as well as I had hoped. He then

added Arava. Before the Arava, I was having flare ups once a week.

After 1 month on the Arava, I have had no flare ups. I have been on

this combo for 5 months and it seems to be working for now. When I

was first diagnosed, we had just had 2 beautiful grandchildren in 4

months. I was totally unable to hold them, which greatly depressed

me. I still have to be careful, as I never know if my hands will

fail me. I know there is no cure, but I only hope to take care of

our family, we still have a 13 yo in the house, and enjoy the

grandchildren, there are 5. It has taken its toll on me though. I

get tired so quickly. I also have Thyroid problems, so I know that

doesn't help with being tired.Some days its just all I can do to get

to 9PM. My family tries, but they don't understand what I go

through daily. I am so blessed to have found this group. Thank you

for listening, didn't mean to go on so. It's so hard for me, I have

always been healthy and never had to rely on meds just to go on.

Again, thank you for being there.