Guest guest Posted April 12, 2006 Report Share Posted April 12, 2006 Hi Bonnie.... I'm a in Canton Ohio and was diagnosed in 1983 when I was 32 years old. I was shocked that I had this "old persons" disease. Needless to say, I learned a lot more about it when I was sent home with a pamphlet to tell me that arthritis is not for the elderly only. I really have to say, I was pretty dumb about it at that time. I'm pretty knowledge now now and I'm learning more every day. I'm glad that you got a diagnosis...some people go without one for a long time. Now you know what you are fighting. The fatigue and general depression are all a part of it. I have a wonderful rheumy just out of med school, but I trust in him. I was on methotrexate once but my liver enzymes went up and he took me off of it. I do take folic acid, arava and prednisone. I noticed my baby fine thin hair falling out so went back to my folic acid and vitamins. I, too, sometimes forget to take the vits. My rheumy wants to put me on orencia or rituxan, which are iv infusions, since my inflammation is still high. So, we have to see what medicaid will pay for because I'm on disability for r/a since 1999. I consider you lucky because the medications that they have for you now treat your disease aggressively. When I was dx'd, the meds weren't that aggressive and now I have hands and feet deformity. So, you've been dx'd when there are so many new and very good meds available to you. I have had this disease since 1983 and just within the past 2 years, I've really felt incapable of doing some things. So, I was lucky to have 21 years with no really big problems. If you're having panic attacks or depression, tell your dr. This is not new with a diagnosis of r/a. We've all been there and done that. I live in Canton Ohio and can say that I am looking forward (when Dave retires) to be a snowbird and go to Florida during the winter months. But that's a long way off. I hope this helps you a little. Keep a positive outlook because there are so many good treatments now and if I could have picked when to have r/a, it would be now....because there's so many new things available and more coming. Take care... Hugs..a Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 13, 2006 Report Share Posted April 13, 2006 paula, it helps a lot. just knowing i'm not alone helps a lot ! ! ! there aren't words . . . . although i guess i've used a few recently. most of my friends/family *try* to understand but i think it's one of those things that you have to have " been there and done that " to quite " get " . i'm glad to have found you guys. and i'm glad too to have been dx'd at a time when it can be treated aggressive from the beginning and to have a doctor willing to do so. he and i did talk about my panic attacks at length actually. that helped too . . . . knowing that it's part of the entire situation and knowing that i have someone to turn to to ask about it . . . . i'm rambling, it's time to go home. bonnie/boys > > Hi Bonnie.... > > I'm a in Canton Ohio and was diagnosed in 1983 when I was 32 years old. > I was shocked that I had this " old persons " disease. Needless to say, I > learned a lot more about it when I was sent home with a pamphlet to tell me > that arthritis is not for the elderly only. I really have to say, I was > pretty dumb about it at that time. I'm pretty knowledge now now and I'm > learning more every day. > > I'm glad that you got a diagnosis...some people go without one for a long > time. Now you know what you are fighting. The fatigue and general > depression are all a part of it. > > I have a wonderful rheumy just out of med school, but I trust in him. I was > on methotrexate once but my liver enzymes went up and he took me off of it. > I do take folic acid, arava and prednisone. I noticed my baby fine thin > hair falling out so went back to my folic acid and vitamins. I, too, > sometimes forget to take the vits. My rheumy wants to put me on orencia or > rituxan, which are iv infusions, since my inflammation is still high. So, > we have to see what medicaid will pay for because I'm on disability for r/a > since 1999. > > I consider you lucky because the medications that they have for you now > treat your disease aggressively. When I was dx'd, the meds weren't that > aggressive and now I have hands and feet deformity. So, you've been dx'd > when there are so many new and very good meds available to you. I have had > this disease since 1983 and just within the past 2 years, I've really felt > incapable of doing some things. So, I was lucky to have 21 years with no > really big problems. > > If you're having panic attacks or depression, tell your dr. This is not new > with a diagnosis of r/a. We've all been there and done that. > > I live in Canton Ohio and can say that I am looking forward (when Dave > retires) to be a snowbird and go to Florida during the winter months. But > that's a long way off. > > I hope this helps you a little. Keep a positive outlook because there are > so many good treatments now and if I could have picked when to have r/a, it > would be now....because there's so many new things available and more coming > > > Take care... > Hugs..a > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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