Nanci K..."livng" with RA

I feel your pain...REALLY!! I was diagnosed when I was 26 years old and had a 3 month old and a 4 year old. I lived in a great od two story house and I worked as a veterinary technician part time, a job I loved. It took a long time to come up with a diagnosis and (my family doc) when I was diagnosed (in 1978) I was told to take aspirin every 4 hours, quit my job, move to a one story house, take 2 two hour naps a day(at least) and sleep 10-12 hrs a night. Needless to say, I drove home crying...with little hope of a normal life again. I was an active "tomboy" whose greatest love was playing with my sons and riding horses!

My mother stepped in to help by saying..."You need a second opinion from a specialist." She saved my life as I knew it. I found a rheumatologist who was Mayo clinic trained and he was wonderful!! I had the best physical exam I had ever had and his question to me was "What is your goal? What do you want to do?" I told him I wanted to be able to be a Mom and ride my horse. His response to me was "ok...let's get to work." I am forever greatful for Dr. Weaver.

I have been through the gammet in the past 30 years, Ascriptin, prednisone, methotrexate, other NSAIDS, even gold shots! Now I am on methotrexate - 3/week, 5 mg of pred every other day, Celebrex, and Humira every other week. I am not perfect and have had knee and knuckle replacements, but I still work part time (only because a wonderful employer took a chance on me and knows what my limits are) and I go riding!!! I can't compete, but I enjoy just being on my horse and having my endorphins kick in! I now have four grandchildren...8,5,5 and 3 years and I can even keep up with them! They all love horses too!   There are days I can hardly get out of bed but mostly that is mind over matter and I make myself move. You can't give up. Courage is a definite asset.

I have a golden husband who has supported me through this for the past 30 years of RA and 36 years of marriage. We are true partners! It takes enormous stamina, supportive family and friends and the newest and best RA treatments. If you aren't going to a Rheumatologist I would highly recommend it! If you need a shoulder there are people out there who will listen. I will!

Take care of you. Rest when you can, but keep going! I don't ever plan to be in a wheelchair, but 30 years ago that was a huge possibility. Modify your life but please don't ever give up!

Nanci... "living" with RA since 1978!