Ouch, It's bad today!

[danialm]

First post just to say I hope the rest of you are having a better time of it than I am at the moment.

I've been struggling with RA for a few years now. About eight years ago it went into remission (somewhat) for reasons unknown. Now its back worse than ever and I'm no longer set up with my rheumatologist. He stopped taking the insurance I had at that time. Now I'm on medicare and... good luck with that.

Something I've found interesting and wonder if other RA sufferers have noticed this.

Two weeks ago I came down with either a serious cold or the flu. During that time I had almost no RA pain what so ever. I've noticed in the past that if I have a "good" day I will usually get sick a day or two afterwards.
Anyone else notice this?

I'm glad I found this forum. Whinning does no good to those who never experienced this stuff.

[kageyd]

Danialm, I've been on Medicare for over 7 years now, and during that time have needed significant medical care for atrial fibrillation, some pulmonary issues, some possible intestinal bleeding, spinal and knee cortisone injections (osteoarthritis), a small stroke, and now RA. I have had nothing but good experiences in hospitals and with doctors using Medicare. All the good hospitals here in NYC - NYU, Mt. Sinai, Hospital for Special Surgery, Columbia, Lenox, etc. - have excellent specialists who take medicare (not all of them take it, but most do). If you don't have a good supplemental program, yes, it will cost some, but as a Medicare patient you are treated just as though you were top of the line, at least in my experience. No discrimination, no second-rate care. May you have a similar experience yourself!!! And if one specialist says no, ask that same person for a referral to an excellent doctor who does take medicare - almost always they will help you out.

And I am truly sorry about the bad days, may they improve - soon.....