Another newbie!

[Guest guest]

Hi all, I've been lurking for a little while and thought it was time to

introduce myself. sent me a doctor list a while ago, but that's

been my only contact with you fine people until now. Anyhow, it's been

one month ago today since I was diagnosed with RA and I'm stunned at how

quickly I've deteriorated. I've been having strange pains for a long

time, but it seems like things really started up around Thanksgiving.

Finally, I went to see someone in January; he diagnosed me and wanted be

to start on drugs immediately. But it turns out he's not a member of my

medical plan so I am looking for a rheumy (as you all say :-). It won't

be any too soon because I'm just in agony...

Anyhow, to make a long story short, I have an appt on Mar 9th with an

associate of Dr Sessoms, who was on the doctor list but is no longer

taking new patients. I am hopeful that her associate also does the AP

because I'm just terrified of the regular drugs. I am currently on

Celebrex to tide me over (doesn't seem to help much) until I can get in

to see her; I also have some prednisone but am too afraid to take it. I

hope I can hold out until I see her. I'm sure that most of you feel the

same way, but I am just so grateful that the Internet exists. First

thing I did, when I found out, was to hit the Internet and research this

disease; I feel lucky to have found out about AP and to have found this

group. I just finished reading the New Arthritis Breakthrough...

A little about me: I live in Houston and am 41, married, no kids. I need

to lose about 50 lbs. I manage a software development group; in fact, I

started a new job (within the same company) 3 days after I found out

about the RA. It really stinks, because I'd like to hit the ground

running (ouch!) but I just hobble around all the time :-( In my

Internet research, I've found info on various vitamins and supplements

and have kind of hacked together a supplement program. This is what I do

(to no avail so far):

Morn:

Lunch: Evening:

1 g ginger 800 IU

E 1 g ginger

380 mg feverfew 380 mg

feverfew 380 mg feverfew

500 mg B-6 200 mcg

selenium B-100 B-complex

4 g C 1000 mg

Borage Oil 4 g C

400 mg

Calcium

400 mg Calcium

500 mg

Magnesium

250 mg Magnesium

1000 mg Borage Oil (210 mg

GLA) 1000 mg Borage Oil

Now for questions:

1. Any comments on the above? Any supplements that help? Anything stupid

here that I shouldn't be doing?

2. What does everyone do for pain and swelling? I see that some of you

are on methotrexate and prednisone, but isn't that because you were on

that before you found AP? What about us RA " virgins " ?

3. Is this normal, to be hit so hard so quickly? My fingers and thumbs

are so swollen it hurts to type and my knees and feet are also swollen;

it's very hard to walk. I am feeling pain in my elbows and the muscles

in my upper arms too.

4. What about psychological elements? Does anyone do therapy for this? I

keep hearing that RA has a strong mind-body link; there was even a study

recently about the beneficial effect of writing about difficult times

(diseases were RA and asthma)? I really feel that my RA is due partly at

least to the stresses in my life.... Anyone else?

Geez, sorry this is so long!! You can tell how happy I am to join this

group because it really does hurt to type :-) I would really appreciate

any ideas, wisdom, advice, comments, etc.!!

Thanks already,

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