Hi All,

I get the impression that most people flock to these RA sites when their condition is deteriorating and they feel depressed. I know that is the case for me.

However, I am here today to give you an update on my RA that made it very hard to walk; I had swelling from my ankles through my knees and stiffness and fatigue. Four months ago exactly my doctor put me on HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE 200 MG TAB and MELOXICAM 7.5 MG TABLET to take twice a day.

I felt little or no improvement for 3 months, and then all of a sudden I started getting better. I still have soreness behind my knees, but the swelling is all gone and the stabbing pain (that woke me up in the middle of the night) is gone. In fact I would say I am 85 % better!!

I joined a pool, and canceled my gym membership (which may be helping as well). My mom also is forcing me to take these pure aloe tablets that she bought me from the web. It is an alternative medicine (that I dont fully believe in) but it maybe working- probably my prescription though! haha, here is the site anyway if you are looking for an alternative source of relief: http://www.aloes.com/. I am also taking vitamin B, fish oil, and beta carotene (because there is a rare chance of eye problems when you take the hydroxychloroquine). Just wanted you all to know what maybe contributing to my revitalization!!

I am very hopeful that this will go away completely (like it did for a period of 8 years in the past). Yesterday, I even ran across the street when the walkway was blinking at 8 seconds left to cross!! I was proud and in pain, but very pleased with my accomplishment. Its strange but running causes me a lot more pain then walking. In fact, walking has become so simple that I went hiking this past weekend with my husband. I know, it sounds too good to be true. When i got out of the car, i could hardley stand up (since the drive was 2 hours). but once i started moving my joints loosened up and i hiked for 5 hours!!now I am soar all over in a good way. I even feel like when you are soar your body's immune system starts working in the right way, so i push myself to stretch, work out and get soar whenever i get a chance!! If there is one thing i am sure about, it is that you have to work on getting yourself better, it is not just about taking medicine and napping a lot. YOU HAVE TO JOIN A POOL, or get into yoga or somethign.

A month or so ago, I went in and tried to get my doctor to put me on something stronger but he refused (something I think foreign doctors do better). I am very thankful that I waited to see if this would work, because it is working!! I just hope that it continues improving and doesn't spread to my other joints.

I know my thoughts are random, but I just wanted to share the good news.

Stay strong my friend, this is a strange random disease, but you must fight, FIGHT, FIGHT! :)