gina5595

Health Interests

Rheumatoid Arthritis,  managing symptoms of,  treatment options,  talking to others that have it.

Drugs I am Taking

Ibuprofin as needed,  starting infusions next week

About Me

Well, I don't want to come off as being all negative but it's hard not to with this stuff. I am 40, mother of 3 and I was just diagnosed in June of this year with severe RA. I had my first symptom in May of this year and it came on very fast after that. Since I was diagnosed so early, I am just now seeing some of the other effects of RA. Last night I thought I was going to lose it. I couldn't breath because everything just hurt. I was having flu like symptoms, aching all over and on top of that nursing a major flare up in my hip. I have found that it doesn't matter if the flare up is in a small knuckle or a knee, it all hurts the same. I have major swelling, redness, fever, pain. I am on methotrexate, 6 pills going to 7 next week. They want to start me on the infusions soon. Anyway, enough of the bad stuff. I am an outgoing, fun person and I know that life goes on. I will have my good days and bad. My job now is to make as many good ones as possible. I would be interested in finding friends in my area, central Texas, to talk to and get advise from etc. I want to know everything about this disease. I want to try every natural remedy there is. I have flare ups often. Usually two or more a week. By flare ups I mean bad ones where I can't move that joint at all. The stifness in my joints is pretty constant and manageable but those flare ups that sneak up on ya are the ones that I'm speaking of. I have the most loving and supportive family a person could hope for but I need to talk to people that are going through the same thing. I would love to have some friends that know what I deal with first hand.