my last computer crash took with it everything i had stored, over the years,
in my ASA folders, in my e-mail program.  all the good RA urls are gone.

two of my  longtime buds (both are friends of mine since the 1960s) have
very recently been dx'd with RA (through blood tests)-- one, just yesterday.
both definitely need good/solid RA information.  my sense is that neither
realizes how serious their RA dx's are.  there seems to be a disconnection,
out there in the general populace, about the seriousness of RA.

one friend simply noticed nodules on both her hands and had it checked out
weeks ago--she works full-time in the corporate world and also has severe
cervical and lumbar ddd, fibro, ibs, cfs, carpal tunnel syndrome . . .etc.
and is trying to figure out/prioritize which medical issue most requires her
spending her limited health care dollars on.  of the two, she's the friend
most likely to be pro-active in her own care, when she has compelling
information.  but, at times, she is prone to be over-whelmed by all of her
medical issues and has been procrastinating about calling for an rd
appmt..these past weeks.

the other friend was viciously attacked by RA, in her jaw joints, both
hands, both knees, both feet, and has been virtually bedridden and/or
housebound, in agony, the past few weeks--she is retired and also has had a
tia (in the past), is slightly anemic and has severe cervical ddd, which
also flared at the same time these past few weeks.  i finally convinced her
to get in to a doctor, literally took her in, and she received her dx
yesterday.  she has no health care coverage until medicare kicks in for her
on april 1st.  she's reluctant to put any kind of drugs in her body, even
nsaids or painkillers, preferring natural/holistic approaches and mainly
prayer.  i need to convince her of the necessity of taking action and RA
drugs, though i do believe/hope she will see a rheumatologist sometime after
her medicare kicks in..

neither are inclined to make use of newsgroups, but will look at web sites.
i've made them both aware that they need rheumatologists helping them with
their RA.  i'm concerned that either or both of  them might become too
over-whelmed by these new RA dx's, to the point of mental paralysis and
inaction, because both have been primary care-givers to terminally ill loved
ones--which drained them both.  i know how easily over-whelmed by any new
challenges that intense care-giving tends to leave even the strongest of
people.

i'd appreciate it if you sweeties would suggest some good RA urls for my
friends.  thanks for helping me help my two buds.  you guys are the bestest!

kate