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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Posted 1/9/2011 3:43 AM (GMT 0)
Hi guys,

Just here to introduce myself, I got diagnosed with AS and was taking celebrex 200mg on and off for some time.

I think I'm ready to accept this disease and understand it could incur complications. Celebrex seems to work for me but I only seem to take it when I'm in tremendous pain. I know I should probably take it on a regular basis, but the risk of heart problems scare me.....ironic isn't it, and I'm a smoker and worried about my heart.

The disease itself for me isn't a major problem, I should stretch more often, take my meds everyday and I even missed my last rheum appointment and will have to reschedule on monday.

The major problem I have now is the constant worrying and anxiety however, there is a support group in victoria that I might join. It's 15 dollar membership per year and they do things like, meet up, have dinner events etc.

I am 26 now and have known about having AS for 3 years now, however the back pain suggests I have had it for much longer.

I am returning study this year and will probably be there for the next 3 years and may decide to move on to uni, all depends on where I am at with this disease.

Just a question....Can people with AS or RA live normal lives? Should I be looking into my future career and study? or will I die before I have a chance to actually "live"?

Thanks for the opportunity to let me introduce myself and have a small vent, hoping to get some answers from the "real" experts such as us that actually suffer from the condition and not vague answers and poor info from doctors.

Thanks again,

Crackles23.

 

Posted 1/9/2011 5:02 PM (GMT 0)
You're only 26, I don't think death from AS or RA is something you need to be worrying about! RA does reduce live expectancy, but not by a huge amount (7 years or so on average).

I'm 21 with Psoriatic Arthritis (or it could be RA) and Fibromyalgia, and I'm just finishing my 4th year at uni (nanotechnology) - it's been difficult due to not being able to attend so much but once you get your health under control with meds (can take a while!) then you'll live a normal life! (mostly).

Do you have a good rheumatologist? Have you considered starting some more meds, methotrexate or leflunomide perhaps? I can sympathise with the anxiety, I found amitriptyline and tramadol both relieve it to an extent - and there are much more potent anti-anxiety drugs should they be necessary.

take care

james
Posted 1/9/2011 8:09 PM (GMT 0)
Like Jay mentioned getting a good rheumatoid arthritis doctors can help.
and yes you can have a good life, for women they say that pregnancy can reduce symptoms, but don't rush
that either, first get your studing done, my daughter has a friend up at her university who has RA, and shes doing good
So don't in anyway give up and you'll be okay. having AS just means your life is a little more complicated is all,
you'll be able to get thru the bad days..Go to student services maybe you could get some help, for caring books ect.
Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it...I've had asthma all my life and when the other things got dx'd,
I had my bad moments but then everyone does, This is a good forum and your part of our family, hope to see ya in chat sometime.
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Crackles)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Healing Hugz and well wishes
Posted 1/9/2011 10:56 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the confidence guys,

I happen to buy all the books and other bits of pieces required and that alone was a load off my shoulders. I am seeing my gp this afternoon to get some more celebrex and going to take it regularly and get a blood pressure test while im at it...lol.
As I've noticed, so many people on this forum have it so much worse than me, I feel alittle selfish thinking rediculas thoughts like I do when my arthritis is so minimal at this stage.

I'm not sure if it's a good rheumatologist at this stage as I have only seen him the once, but I see him next monday, he might be abit Pee'd at me for not getting a blood test that he requested...oops.

As for medication, I don't feel I really need anything else for my arthritis at this stage, as I said, it is very minimal compared to some people on this forum, as for the anti-anxiety drugs may be something I am interested in, I will talk to my GP tonight and see what he recommends in my circumstances.

As for my GP, he is actually a really good doctor, he diagnosed me the first time I came in, maybe I explained the symptoms perfectly....doubt it. He has been my GP for 19 years so, also the receptionist is the mother of 1 my close friends, just finding a good rheumatologist is going to be the hard part by the sound's of it, but ill give this guy abit more of a chance.

I noticed you guys have signatures relating to your diseases, ill do mine after this, I bet ill have 3 words max, maybe ill throw some fake made up words to make it longer :)

Thanks again guys,

Talk to yas shortly.

Crackles.
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