Woman with RA

[loneil]

I am a 58 year old woman who has RA. I have had it for a long time but have only been treating it for about 5 years. I was a certified paraoptometric and office manager for an optometrist for about 14 years. I retired 2 years ago because I couldn't cope with everything. I would get tired after only a few hours of working. My son is the one that wanted me to talk to other people about RA and so he put up this website, hoping to help me get more insight. I have to admit, I have never been on a forum before but would like to hear how other people are treated, how they respond to their meds and how they manage. I read about new medications and treatments all the time but have never found a forum where I could read how real people, not the doctors, feel about them. Hopefully, I will learn a great deal.

[jon]

Great to have some more people joining the forum! Hope I can learn a lot also.

[kmoneil]

Welcome to the forum!

[jumblue]

Hi
I'm a 58 year old from Scotland. I used to do bricklaying, blocklaying, and concrete work until about 16 years ago. I went to work one morning, and found that I couldn't get my fingers round the blocks to lift them. My wrists were in agony as well, and after months of tests, I was diagnosed as having rheumatoid arthritis. Nowadays, it's mostly my knees that bother me, and my left hand and forearm. I think of myself as being fortunate, though, as my right hand seldom gives me trouble, and so I can still write. I came across this Forum while posting a Press Release unrelated to arthritis, so I thought that I'd join, as I'm sure we can all pick up handy hints from others.

[purple]

Linda,

I hope that things are going well. I was trying to figure my way about this forum and saw that you worked at an
Optometrist office. So did I before I had kids. I worked in the dispensery front desk is not my forte'. I tried to replace some temples the other day I didn't realize how my fine motor skills had become limited it was kind of a shock. I know that cooking has changed for me. I have
days when mixing batter or something thick is a strain. Not
to mention chopping. Some would count this a blessing not to be able to cook as well but it is one of my passions. I have moved all my pots , pans and cookware to shelves that
are at arm level. It is much easier than reaching overhead or forget getting on the floor to get a heavy appliance.
Change makes us stronger or at least more creative.
Have a good day my 12 year old daughter is standing over my shoulder wanting the computer! So I will turn it over to her.

Lachele

[malou]

I am a 58 year old woman who has RA. I have had it for a long time but have only been treating it for about 5 years. I was a certified paraoptometric and office manager for an optometrist for about 14 years. I retired 2 years ago because I couldn't cope with everything. I would get tired after only a few hours of working. My son is the one that wanted me to talk to other people about RA and so he put up this website, hoping to help me get more insight. I have to admit, I have never been on a forum before but would like to hear how other people are treated, how they respond to their meds and how they manage. I read about new medications and treatments all the time but have never found a forum where I could read how real people, not the doctors, feel about them. Hopefully, I will learn a great deal.

hi..welcome..its a good thing that you have join here..and gain friends in the process:)

[Cate]

Hi,
I live in Scotland and have just been diagnosed it had taken me 3 years to back to my GP with my symptoms as the first time I went to him he simply told me I was depressed and that this accounted for me being tired, having joint pain and weight loss. I've been a chemistry teacher in a pretty tough school for 15 years and shortly before my first visit I lost my dad to cancer so I did'nt really question the initial diagnosis. I now feel frustrated and upset, firstly that I did'nt question him and secondly that he did'nt do any tests or examination. So now I'm 37, have painful joints and reduced mobility in my hands and shoulders, the specalist has told me that there is permenant damage to my joints. I'm so sorry for rambling on but I was only given the diagnosis yesterday and have not yet started treatment, is there hope out there? Any advice and words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated I guess I've lost a little faith in the medics.
Thank you
Cate:confused:

[Aticha]

Hi all,

I just come across with all your story.

There is one free info talking about how these ex-RA overcome their pain and survivors from this disease.

This website also guide you how to make money working from home while you are having RA.

If anyone interested to know please send me

Aticha

http://rheumatoid-arthritis-joint-pain-advice.com/

[kageyd]

Welcome, all. This forum is an excellent place to hear individual stories, pros and cons of treatment and medications, how to reduce side effects, and most importantly how to keep living life as well as possible despite a disease that can be devastating some, or sometimes all, of the time. I'm new, and have already garnered lots of good tips about meds, some exercise ideas, and mostly a sense of how to deal with a serious illness that many people do not understand. One thing is very clear to me already - put yourself in the hands of a recommended rheumatologist, and not just a general practitioner. All my best to you all. Kageyd