Overwhelmed....

[Guest guest]

Dear Kay,

Yes...it IS possible to be able to control the disease and function with

some quality of life. As another list-mate wrote, many of us who are

doing well do not end up posting much...in my case that would be true.

I first started having sx 15-16 years ago but, it wasn't until 12+ years

ago after the birth of my first daughter that things got worse and maybe

8 years ago I was finally diagnosed. I also have Fibro...but since

then, I did had a second daughter 3 years ago and have continued to

worked full time...many weeks 50+ hours....we are active and show and

rescue dogs and travel quite a bit as well. I work as a Mental Health

therapist and the worst my symptoms have been has been was this past

summer when the company I work with quickly changed insurance companies

to an Health Savings Account with a $2500 deducible and I tried to

stretch out my Humira from every 2 weeks to once a month or more. Since

the insurance change I did work with the drug company and the Healthwell

Foundation and was approved for a grant to cover some of the cost of my

meds and my deductible is quickly being met. I couldn't take

Methotrexate or Neurontin......in addition to the Humira, I do take

Sulfasalizine, Ultram, Zanaflex and Motrin.

I find it's probably easier to keep moving if you are then starting back

up again....I do keep moving...with a mindset that I have no

choice....my husband is older and now retired and does a great deal of

the work at home but, there is always more...I do get tired and try to

listen to my body when I can.....in addition to the insurance issue...I

tried to stat a doctoral program this summer...that was TOO much....I

never took off work but, was exhausted and have had to re-think those plans.

Good luck,

Dawn B.