Friday, June 01, 2012

Almost 2 years later after being diganosed with RA

By Jeanne Thursday, March 11, 2010

Well, it'll be two years this year that I was diagnosed with RA.  I've been on a constant roller coaster and now things are finally looking better.  I just began Humira a month ago and immediately after injecting it the very next day I woke up with no morning stiffness.  I didn't get my hopes up it would last but after a month later I feel the best I've felt in 8 years.  I feel like crying when I think about it, it's like a miracle.  I've been on such a roller coaster for almost 10 years and finally some relief and a diagnosis.  I'm finally just beginning to feel comfortable enough with the disease to open up to people about it and I'm beginning to accept it.  I still have days I feel tired but not waking up with morning stiffness at least makes me feel somewhat 22 again.  It's been a long long road but the clouds are looking more and more blue everyday.  But now that I'm feeling better I have new concerns and questions for everyone.  I want to go back to college and pick up my life where I left off.  I'm concerned that if I begin working I'm going to lose all of my financial benefits that cover all of my medicines and hospital bills.  If I go back to college and after I get my degree and begin working what kind of health insurance is out there to help people with RA?  And if I get my degree and get out there working a 40,000 dollar a year job is not going to cover my financial expenses.  So where do I go?  What do I do?  I don't want to stay a broke hermit with no job the rest of my life because I have RA but I can't afford to lose the medicine that's keeping me afloat either right now.  Any suggestions?

Getting back in the land of the living.
3/11/10 5:53pm
DONT YOU DARE GIVE UP!!!! You have to be positive-it is key!!!! Trust me.Even if you dont believe you will get better begin telling yourself over and over-dont allow negative thoughts to overcome you. I've been there and back and there again. Ive struggled for at least 10 yrs however the yrs of remission are on their way to you-look forward to that! Dont worry just believe they are on the way!! It took a couple of years before I experienced remission-totally pain free almost no symptoms-it will happen for you also! I promise...its not far away but you have to change your attitude-read Joel Osteens books and let me hear from you especially with the good news!
Lene Andersen, Health Guide
3/22/10 3:08pm

Congratulations! I'm so glad to hear that you medication is working well enough that you're now starting to make plans for the long-term.

 

You bring up some very good points, most of which I don't have too much information about. However, I would recommend that you check out my posts on going back to school and parenting teens with RA - both have links to resources about education, including what kinds of accommodations you're entitled to as a student with chronic illness/disability. Examples of these accommodations include part-time studies (which can be a terrific help, as working within your limits may help you get better grades), note takers, longer time for exams, etc. I don't know what kind of financial assistance you're currently receiving, but if you're on SSD, you may qualify for tuition help through the vocational rehabilitation program run by SSD. As well, there are numerous financial assistance programs not related to SSD, specifically for help with medication.

 

Thanks again for bringing up these topics. We are currently developing an area on MyRACentral for teens and young adults living with RA and the topics you brought up would definitely be worth pursuing in that area. If you have any more suggestions on topics you would like to see covered, please send me a message.

 

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By Jeanne— Last Modified: 12/22/10, First Published: 03/11/10