Happy to Be Here With All of You

[Guest guest]

Dear Wonderful People of the RA Support Group -

I've been lurking for a little while, trying to get a feeling for the

group and wondering what I might say in my first message. My intro

might be a little long...my apologies if it is.

First of all, I'm so impressed with all of you. Could it be that RA

happens to some of the nicest people?

Anyway, I was diagnosed with RA 6 years ago. It came on fast and hard.

Something familiar to many of you. I could hardly walk for a while.

Now, I'm generally feeling better but definitely have some joint

deterioration.

I've been a yoga and stress management teacher (as well as a writer &

editor) for almost 35 years. That means I know many people in the

alternative health fields. It also means I have many friends and

acquaintances who believe anything can be cured by natural means or

just the right diet/supplement/herb/etc. So, I am constantly

approached by very well-meaning folks telling me about their favorite

cure, wondering if I've done something like eat too much salt (!),

saying that I must not have done yoga properly or I'd never have been

affected by RA, musing about what my karma might be to bring this on,

asking why I'm not better yet, and so on. Fortunately, I have a good

sense of humor or I think I'd consider attacking some of them with my

cane!

I'm fortunate to live (happily) just with my 2 beloved dogs; so I can

come home and get away from all that. How I admire those of you who

have spouses, children and other family members in your home who don't

really understand. I think of you when I get irritated with people

around me--they're just passing by; I don't have to live with them. Of

course, I know that you love your families; and that makes it worth it.

Nowadays, I don't teach regular hatha yoga (the physical postures)

classes. Many students don't want to see their yoga teacher limping in,

leaning on a cane. Before RA made itself known to me, I did a lot of

work with people with HIV/AIDS, heart disease, and cancer. Now, I feel

that I understand so much better what these folks go through. So I do

more with those who face various challenges, and I teach meditation and

philosophy; but I'm limited in how much I can get around to classes.

Okay, now, in the interest of being as open as all of you are with the

group, I'm going to say something. This is the main reason I didn't

unlurk until now. I'm shy about telling you that--although I don't

object to regular medicine--I've been using alternative methods to

treat my RA. Please, no criticism, okay? I do feel that it's helped me

in many ways. But I do have some compromised joints; and, at this

point, I think I have to incorporate regular RA meds. I may have been

wrong to just use alternative methods for 6 years; but, perhaps, my

joints would be in the same condition regardless.

Anyway, that's all about me for now. I won't be so long-winded in the

future!

I think you're all fabulous! Bless you for being here, for your

openness, sharing and support.

Many good wishes to each and every one of you -

Prakasha