Some Anniversaries aren't so sweet.

I was diagnosed last year in August, sufferred 3 months prior with nsaids in the U.S without a diagonosis and always feeling worse each day.  Your timeline of this disease is the same as mine. I was diagnosed out here in Switzerland ... new job, country, away from everything personal in my life since August 1st 2007.  49 at the time and surely out of my prime, RA got the best of me.  I finally got a diagnose from my Swiss DR. who specializes in RA and also Sports Medicine.  After one week of Sulfur meds we quickly learned that I was alergic to the drug.  Now being in worse shape than ever ... he told me that Enbrel will make me feel better immediately.  He was right.  I think it only took two days and I was able to walk without serious pain.  My neck was able to turn and most importantly I was less depressed.  I have been self-injecting once a week for a year now.  I started to work out in a gym soon after taking the drug, strenghtening my flabby body to muscle.  Now I am back to running up hills and can run three miles at a time on a cushiony outdoor track.  I have to stop and rest my feet, ankles after about 6 laps but then I am back and running again.  I am not 100 per cent but I am moving as well as when I was 10 years younger.  Sitting or laying down too long hurts ... so I am constantly getting up to move and circulating, stretching everywhere that is feeling stiff and throbby.  I have got RA but I am trying to stay ahead of the crippling affects.  The exercize routine is a part of my life ... keeps me sane and the weight off my joints.  I lift weights so that in a pinch I can lift myself up from a sitting position.  Getting scared though because in two weeks my doctor will make a decision on the Enbrel.  He felt that a year would do it for me ... I know I am still stricken by this disease and I don't ever want to feel like I did one year ago.  I have to continue thinking positive ... having RA has changed me.  Keeping my head up is vital, it is the only way to survive.

I've been dealing with RA for 19 years. And believe me it was a hard 19 years. There were times I could not get out of bed,drive,do housework ot just take care of myself.I have been bathed and dressed by my daughter. Some how I managed to be able to feed myself. But now through the Grace of God and Humeria, I have started to feel a lot better.I still get stiff, dont get me wrong, just not as much. I live in the South and the rainy weather or the very hot weather makes me swell. But I keep pushing on.I think the secret to dealing with RA is never stop moving. Just move slow. Stop tryig to do things like move furniture, cut grass and mopping all at one time. Mop half the room and sit down and rest. DON'T EVEN TRY TO CUT GRASS, THAT WAS JUST A PHRASE TO USE. Get plenty of rest and stop worring.  It's going to be already. We can go on living JUST A LITTLE SLOWER THIS TIME.  Keep praying for one another and let GOD take care of the rest.

Special Blessings to all my RA friends.

Delois(jackson ms.

email(jazzydee_49@yahoo.com)