Hi guys,

I have been lurking on this newsgroup for about six months now.

I was told I have R.A. last april.  They thought that the R.A. was
inactive
and the pain I was experiencing was strictly from the carpal tunnel I
had.

Well, two surgeries later, needless to say, I have full blown R.A.

I live in a fairly small town and I didn't get along with the only
rheumy in
town that was taking patients.  So I tried to get my family doctor to
manage
it.  He put me on predinasone.  I was working at a nationally known
discount
retailer and I hurt.  I know y'all know what I mean when I say that I
came
home from work, _hurting_.

I asked him to put me on MTX.  I knew from  my reading and this group
that I
needed something more.  Then I realized I desperately needed a rheumy.
So I
now drive the 150 miles to the nearest big city to see a rheumy.

My sister also has R.A.  She was told she had it nearly four years ago
now.
So I knew what it was.  Heck, my dad has gout and O.A.

Anyway, the MTX is not controlling me at all.  I'm depressed and in
terrible
pain usually six days
a week.  I usually manage one day when I don't want to chop off my
hands
from the pain.  I've develloped an eye twitch and a nasty case of
depression.  ( I had to stop working shortly before Christmas last
year. )

Anyway, I doubt I'll post very often if at all.  I just wanted y'all to
know
that most days.  Y'all are the light at the end of my tunnel.  You all
seem
to be coping as well as you can with humor and united solidarity.

Thanks.

~dld~

. o O{I kept wondering why the frisbee was getting bigger, then it hit
me}