Oh my heavens!! Can we talk??

Hi everyone!  This is the first time I've ever looked into an online support group for arthritis and I have to say I am soooo excited I found you all!  I've been reading through the posts and you all sound like a great group of people!  I don't even know where to begin because I'm really excited to be able to talk to people that know how I feel and I can totally relate to with the symptoms and the meds and the daily pain and fatigue you go through.  Although... so many of you sound so much sicker than I am and I'm truly sorry to hear that.  I would never wish this on anyone and I can only imagine what some of you truly feel like.  I think I'm getting ahead of myself here... let me introduce myself.  My name is Shannon and I live in Wash. State.  I was diagnosed with RA (factor negative) about 4 years ago now.  It started in my left pinky finger and nobody could figure it out.  I ended up seeing a rheumatologist who put me on various things, none of which helped to alleviate the growing and spreading pain.  I finally switched to a different dr. and she put me on prednisone right away to "put the fire out" as she put it.  That was life changing for me because I hadn't realized just how badly I was hurting until the pain went away, or at least mostly.  Anyway, I am also currently taking 20 mgs of methotrexate/wk, cymbalta, prednisone, and I'm just recently back on Humira.  I was off of it for a couple of months due to insurance issues, but now I'm back on, just took my first dose tonight (HATE those shots!) and I'll be doing 40 mgs a week (up from 40 mgs every other week) so we'll see how that works.  I chose the name runnin' ragged because I'm a mom to 4 boys, ages 12, 9, and two 5 year olds.  Between the boys, the sports, the pets, the house, the never-ending laundry, etc..... I am constantly feeling like I'm runnin' ragged.  Anyway, I don't want to write a book here, but REALLY excited to be here and can't wait to have many conversations with you all and get to know you all better!  Take care!

Hi there,

I know what you mean! I'm also negative for RA and I have been seeking treatment for a little over two years now. I'm also a mom of three kiddo's...10, 14, and 15 and have recently went back to school full time and between the children, stuff at home, activities and endless driving it is exhausting! Throw in the pain of RA and it can get very unpleasant can't it??

I have to say, you are in the right place for support because everyone here will be very helpful! I look forward to getting to know yet another mom with RA.

Have a wonderful day:)

hi everyone!!!! welcome to hw!!!!!!!! sorry to meet this way but it is a great site to vent and get advice...... i dont know how i would deal with all the pain and frustrations if not for this site..........
so join in and hope we dont run you ragged lol i too have RA and am 45. my kids are older now but once a mom always a mom.

i take mtx and enbrel and wasnt certain how well they were working til i had to go off them for surgery........ now i know for certain i need them and cant wait to get better soon......

i generally post on the moanin post we talk more about life issues there(often related to RA family stuff) but i do read and offer on other posts too ........ so come join the moanin group and type your troubles away.......

take care yally

hi I am a person who was born with dislocation of the hip and bad feet. I have handicap plates. I do my best with the whole thing. Recently I came down with the shingles and decided to join the moaning group because they are fun. I also have regular arthritis, allergies and asthma and depression, high blood pressure, ibs with constipation. I have done alot with my life (imho) and need to rest from post shingles pain syndrome today. I welcome you as a woman run ragged.