Support

Hi All- This is my first post, although I've been reading your posts for a while. I recently read somewhere that most people with RA never talk to another person who has it, and that the lack of social support really negatively impacts the course of the disease. I'm not a very social person, so reaching out on a forum like this feels pretty weird to me, but at this point I am trying to address my RA in a positive way, so here I am!

I am fortunate to have a sister with RA (which is not so fortunate for her!), so I do have someone I can talk to about it. My husband is also pretty wonderful about it, as are my teenage daughters. It's just that I don't want to always be complaining around them. I watch their eyes when I am having a hard time moving, and I can see the pain it causes them, especially my girls. I hate the worry I am causing, so I try to fake being okay as much as I can. I'm sure I'm not the only one who does this.

I'm having quite a lot of pain and swelling in my hands and feet today. I'm always trying to figure out why...is it the hot, humid northern Michigan weather? Bad shoes? The methotrexate not working? The RA getting worse? Who knows.

I've been on methotrexate since April, and I think it's helping, but I'm not doing great. However, I had shingles a few weeks ago and had to stop taking it for a week, and wow! I was a mess! I could hardly walk. I just sat and cried. So it must be working. I see my rheumatologist Tuesday, so we'll see what he thinks.

I appreciate what I read here about paraffin wax treatment, and I'm looking forward to giving that a try. I'll keep you posted!

Have a lovely weekend!
Nancy

Nancy,
So glad you felt comfortable posting and welcome to HW! I am on Enbril and mtx and down now to 6 mg prednisone. At dx I had a ridiculously high sedrate and could barely walk. I am doing quite well with this treatment.
I hope you get a good treatment option on Tues.
Please keep posting.
Beth

My doctor is so nice. He was respectful of my wish not to shake hands, listened to all of my complaints, answered my questions, and best of all- he didn't hurt me when he examined me!!! Can you imagine? He put all my joints through gentle range of motion, then asked "would it hurt if I squeezed here? here? here?"
When he first diagnosed me he palpated each joint so thoroughly that I left there hobbling! Today apparently he sees the swelling and takes my word for it when it comes to pain. Bless him.

So I am going to add Humira to the methotrexate and see how that works. The doctors office is dealing with the insurance company and pharmacy for me. I also accepted his offer of a prednisone burst, since I am so flared up.

Feeling hopeful today!
Thanks for listening/reading!

Ugh- remind me never to take prednisone again. After three days I stopped taking it....today I feel somewhat normal again. Including the RA flare, but I guess it's better than completely losing my mind! Ugh!