HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Hello!! New to Forum

Support Forums
>
Rheumatoid Arthritis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 1/23/2015 5:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

My name is Kim. I've replied to a couple of posts from this warm and friendly forum. I wanted to introduce myself. I'm 52 years old, work full time as an licensed nurse at our local Veterans home and was diagnosed with RA on 4/14. Shortly after that I was also diagnosed with Fibromyalgia because my symptoms didn't "fit" all the RA symptoms. I've been taking Plaquenil, Prednisone, Cymbalta, Etodolac and Gabapentin. I tried Methotrexate this summer for 10 weeks and had some bad reactions to it so stopped. I'm currently in the process of getting on Humira once my preauthorization has been approved.
It's nice to know that there are people to talk to that understands what I'm going through..

Kim
Posted 1/23/2015 7:06 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome, Kim. I'm new in this forum too, but been on HW for over six years.

There's some great people on here.
Posted 1/24/2015 5:46 AM (GMT 0)
Kim,
It's great to have you on the HW forum! You seem very knowledgeable and encouraging to those who are having trouble getting a dx. It seems we've all had a rough go of it in that area. I'm especially grateful that you are encouraging others to get the alternate test when RH factor comes back neg. Happened to me too, and all the docs were stumped. Glad I was referred to a good rheumy. Up until I developed RA I was rarely sick and completely baffled by what was happening and the frustratingly slow process to get the proper dx, meds and insurance approvals. I hope I can be a good sounding board for you and both of us can help others find relief as well.
Beth
Posted 1/25/2015 12:00 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Beth...

I guess I was lucky in that it only took me a few months of pestering my regular GP to really find out what was going on with me... Bursitis and Gout were a few of the DX they wanted to give me.. not..

Question: I am fairly new to RA compared to a lot of people on this board. I've been having some strange sharp pains recently. My legs, my hips or my arms. It reminds me of muscle spasms.. but sharp pains. It doesn't usually last too long. Having them now actually. Every experienced this?

Kim
Posted 1/25/2015 4:48 AM (GMT 0)
I get those too. I think that's from my fibro.
Posted 1/25/2015 5:25 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Kim Welcome Sorry to hear about your RA diagnosis i'll bet it scared you.
its good your still working Although you must not over do things
as an Ex Nurse I know it can take a toll on you.
when you get on Humira be sure to keep a Close eye on your blood results
hope to see you around the forum there are some Great people here you'll get some good support
.
Posted 1/26/2015 4:07 AM (GMT 0)
Actually my first reaction was Yeah! Thank God It's not all in my head because for a while I sure thought it was...then it really sank in that wow this is a bad disease.
I'm still going through the grieving stages. I'm seeing a counselor and it's been helpful.
Yes it's been scary, my daughters have been very supportive but my husband is still struggling with it. He somewhat understands that I can't do some of the things that I used to do, but he doesn't understand my energy level is sapped from my work now. When I tell him I can't do another day after so many hours he just doesn't understand. It's a learning curve for sure.

Kim
Posted 1/26/2015 7:30 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Kim,
I do so hope the Humira will help with your fatigue as well. Getting the RA dx is and the acceptance process is a lot like losing someone, and in a sense you do lose who you once were. To this day I wonder if it can someday go away. You, like me were diagnosed young, and I an so fearful of how it is going to affect me later in life. Even with such fabulous results from TNF blockers, there are many things I can't do (like kneel) and painful flares. Eventually I have come to accept the "new" me and don't allow myself to feel guilty or obliged for what I can't do.
Beth
Posted 1/26/2015 9:34 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Beth....Someone told me recently that I have to accept my new limitations. I find that difficult and it does make me angry. At 52 I'm still active, have grandbabies that I love to pick up or just roll around on the floor with. They expect their Nana to do those kind of things. I'm not stopping no matter how much it hurts...

Chronic pain messes with your head, hence counseling. I've tried on several occasions to explain to the hubby about how it feels. What I get in return is: "My hips hurt too, my leg hurts and so does my back. That's what happens when you get old".

I'm sorry that's just BS.. 1 I'm not old yet, I don't think of myself as old and I'll be darned if I start doing that. 2nd... No honey you don't know what it's like to go to bed feeling fine and wake up in the middle of the night hurting so bad you can't go back to sleep. No I didn't do anything to cause it except have a disease that's kicking my fanny at 2am, on my day off when I should be getting rest cause everyone tells me to rest......and yes dear that's why I snapped at you this morning... Like I said I'm hurting...

Well, I feel better... Kim
Posted 1/27/2015 3:33 AM (GMT 0)
Wow, Kim, we have a lot in common. I am 53, and very active, but RA means pain pill and little sleep cause I took my 6 yr old granddaughter to the beach yesterday and had to help her up a bluff. Sucks. My husband has stage IV prostate cancer, so I feel guilty if I complain at all, because I know his is worse. Have you or anyone else been through menopause and suffer from chronic hot flashes for over a year?
Kim, my email is open if you want to chat or just vent, drop me a line.
Beth cool
Posted 1/28/2015 3:01 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Beth,

Post menopausal since Sept. I keep crossing my fingers...lol... Yep hot flashes at night and really bad at work. I've found that when I up my prednisone it's even worse. Stopped taking the Prednisone for a while and I could really tell the difference. I now have a fan at work and boy do I use it all year round.. It's kind of embarrassing at work but hey.. I just tell my guys I'm having a hot flash.. They're 70+ and most have been married so they just shake their heads and say "women"...

I don't take anything but a couple of Tylenol one in the am and one at night. I've thought about going to a pain specialist but just don't want to go there yet.

I found out today that my RA MD has been out of town. All this time I thought that they were getting my paperwork ready and sending it into the Insurance company for preapproval. Nope... Someone dropped the ball and it hasn't been sent in. Good thing I'm a pest and kept after them. My RA MD will be out until Thursday and now I'm finding out that she has to order labs, a TB and chest x-ray before I can even take Humira.. It's looking like a while before I can even get on the drug... I'm pretty disappointed.

Kim
Posted 1/28/2015 7:19 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Kim,
What a pain trying to get everyone on the same page. I hope you are able to get your Humira soon, as I think it really will help. I think there is a link between hot flashes and RA, but not sure what it is. I get some relief from venlefaxin(Hubby's oncologist recommended that one to me), and I saw an ad for a vitaminC type supplement for hot flashes that I might try. I have fans everywhere...in my bedroom, at work. My wardrobe is all short sleeves or light material now. LOL. Fortunately we live in a temperate pacific coast region.
Aleve works better for me than tylenol and I take it in the am. My orthopedic surgeon kept after me to try it. It is not recommended with the other drugs I'm taking due to concerns over stomach issues. So far no stomach problems at all.
Beth
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply