Hello All, I have been searching for a site that someone can give me some insight to actually living on a daily basis with this Arthritis. September of 2004, I got sick with bronchitis,pneumonia, just could not shake it, of course I was a smoker at the time and this is something I had a few times a year, every year. My Dr. was convinced I should see a Heart Dr. And within a week, I had a Stent in my heart to cover 2 blockages. I had this procedure done on Sept. 23rd 2004, and after smoking for approx. 34 years, I quit that day. So I am looking foward to my 2 yr. ex-smoker date. I then decieded to start walking, so hopefully I would not gain alot of weight as I was already overweight.That is when the hips started hurting, the legs started aching,and knee pain, of course I thought it would get better with time,just being out of shape. I continued to try and keep walking, and after a few months,I just had to see my Dr. about this. He sent me to an orthopedic surgeon, and was Diagnosed with O.A. I have had fluid taken off the knee,and three injections in the knee. He says looking, eventually to knee replacement, I got to where I would be so stiff and sore in the morning,sometimes from head to toe, it was very hard some mornings to even get out of bed, I was very scared when all these syptoms started, I also in the mean time was put on meds for high blood pressure,which until the stent,was put in I never had been diagnosed with H/B. Then it has just progressed,it is both knees, ankles, feet, neck,shoulders,and my back, so because of this, my Dr. sent me to a Rheumotologist 2 weeks ago.So now I have been diagnosed with R.A. And have just began the Methotrexate, and have been put on Predisone for 1 week.Then go back to Rheum. Dr. in 2 weeks.My Dr. is thinking possibly, Fibromyalgia, I guess because of all the muscle soreness?And symptoms? I am just sooooo confused, at this point,somedays I just feel hopeless, and I just bust out crying alot! I have always worked, I am 53 now and this is the first time in my life that I actually think that I can't do it.I have now been off work for about 3 weeks, taking my meds and hoping it will all get better,when I had went back to work ,it was about 2 hrs. and it was just about all I could take, by the end of my 8hr. 0r somedays 10hr. day I was totally exhausted!!!! I had to take a leave ,I just can't do it at this time. I have lost 29 pounds since the end of July. Everyone tells me that I should apply for Disability, because of the long process, I just don't know what to do. I just know if I continue to try to work that eventually I am afraid of losing my job because of missing work to much, then I would be without insurance. Has any one out there,been thru this process with Diability? For these diagnosis. I am sorry for such a long post. I have just needed to talk. And it is hard for someone to know your pain,and truly know how you feel that doesn't have arthritis. I know I'm new to it all and have alot to learn, so any help and advice would be appreciated!!!