Welcome to ASA.  I hope you find the support and information that will make
this easier for you.

debbie m.
http://www.angelfire.com/ga2/angels1/

Hi guy,     Sooo many people here see what happened to them in your words.
I took methx as a main DMARD for 7=8 years and it got me back to work for
those years.   I also took prednisone every day for those years and then it
was a year of Arava when methx stopped working with no prednisone every day
but sometimes.   Then it was time for ENbrel and no prednisone at all.   It
really works well for me.   Welcome to ASA.   Please keep in mine that your
RA is doing other things to your body besides the pain in your joints.   It
must be controlled.   I hope you and your RD have a good talking
relationship.
Harv

I feel better just
to be able to talk about my illness. It is amazing to me how little
folks know about it.

I agree with you on that one. Some of my family members say I "just" have
arthritis its no big deal everyone has aches and pain. I do not think people
know the difference between RA and Osteo. I wish that when we get diagnosed
that the RD or doc gives us a packet of info that also has info for our
families to read. It would be nice for a change not to have to explain why
we can not do somethings that "normal" people take for granted.
Anywhos, welcome to our group.

RhondaM

Hello and welcome.

Sounds like the meds are really helping. I know it's hard to take a
batch of meds. I sometimes feel like getting a little rebellious (read
non-compliant). I shouldn't whine, anyway, about that. At least there's
things to take to help. My getting ready to turn two years old
granddaughter is going to have to take anti-rejection meds for the rest
of her life because she got a heart transplant on New Year's Eve. The
alternative for her would have been not to be seeing that second birthday.

Be sure and develop a good relationship with your RD. The more you two
get on the same wavelength the better he/she can treat you and the
better you'll understand. Be sure, too, to go to the doctor (any doctor)
prepared with a list of questions you may have. Sure as shootin' you'll
forget a question that you'll kick yourself for later. Besides, it's
easy to get sidetracked at the doctor's.

So, take up a chair and post away. As you've already seen, this is a
real supportive group.

Nell