Hello------This is my first visit. I was just looking for some advise & maybe a good book on this.

Hi Pink,

I've read several books on RA at this point but the two I keep going back to are "Good Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis" by the Arthritis Foundation and "Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis" which is a John Hopkins Book.  The first is more of a lifestyle type book and the second is a bit more technical but goes into a great deal more depth on things like medications etc.  Good luck to you and sorry about the diagnosis.  I know....it comes as  quite a shock.

Hi Pink. Indroducing myself, I'm Sher, from East Tx. Just read your post. I 'm sure your feeling a little overwhelmed right now. Looks like both of us our joining the RA club here, huh?

My family Doc informed me this past week that my test results showed a high RF reading for this disease. Yes, like many others, I was naive to it's nature.

My first thoughts were "This sucks! ~ now my hands are going to get all painful and deformed I suppose." I figured that was bad news but, oh well. Deal with it.

Then my Doc says Sher, you know this is quite serious, it's a crippling disease, it's more than you may realize. I'm scheduling you an appointment with a Rheumatologist asap.

After coming home and Googling <--*sounds funny, doesn't it?; I was 'wowed' upon reading my first information about RA. I thought, so chit, no wonder I've felt like I have for nearly the past two years. My hubby and others just seemed to think I was have a real btc'in time aging. Not because I've been inactive, anything but. However, I just kept griping how stiff 'felt like most-of-me' was and thought Dratz~! "I'm really going down the crapper." Please try to not be offended by my colorful vocabulary.

I just seem to be wired this way  

So back to my googling; I feel rather fortunate to be tossed in the barrel along with what seems to be some very understanding peeps of all ages and backgrounds that share this same plight. I recall on the RA test page reading that we're only 1% of the nation.

We belong to rather an exclusive club, huh? *How shall we dress? lol.

Pink, I know you and yours are scared, I'm sure it's harder to accept when your younger. It all seems less fair than ever at a early age. Being older, I am more accepting of the diagnosis *I still have further tests to be taken but, after nearly 2 years of suffering of about all the symptoms listed, my mind and body feels it's prolly  on the money.

I imagine that you're feeling disbelief that this could be possibly happening to you.

I believe that's an excusable reaction. RA diagnosis comes as a surprise for each of us I'd imagine.

As for myself, I've set out to educate myself as much as I'm able. I'm learning about the options for my own personal treatment and care. It's ME, my body. I may not be a doctor or a specialist, but ultimately I must or feel I should, chart my own course through these murky, unfamiliar waters. It's hard for me to trust health care professionals completely. Mistakes are made. I know little of my Rheumy; I never had to before this RA load was put upon my back. So, perhaps in time the trust will come but until then, I will have to satisfy myself that Killa-drugs are  ...if it's even an option for me, could be something I could accept. *(H-A survivor).

Pink, I, being a newby here also, can not suggest any books. I seem to be finding much of what I really wanted and needed to know here on RACentral. I may not be more at ease after surfing this site, these shareposts, these messages but I know it is giving me a taste of reality, especially after reading the posts of so many people that have been dealing for much longer than me with RA.

My heart goes out to them, sometimes I read posts that make me sit here at my keyboard and cry. I keep tissue on the desk. Some posts inspire me and if I could I'd award those souls a badge of courage.

Quite quickly, I've discovered that this place is addictive; it's become my crutch *(and brother, do I need one of those)

Pink, neither you, nor I, will really know of the severity of our RA until we keep going forward. It may be more mild; it may be considerably worse than we imagined but somehow, we will manage, like these others to deal with it.

At age 65, granted a rather youthful 65, I'm finding that Life is an Experience through unchartered waters. Don't lose your paddle, keep your boat afloat~!!

*Instead of reading a book, just maybe ...your destined to write a book.

Money worries. I should guess there's quite a few here with the same problem.

We have no insurance either. My hospital nurses told me thay didn't even have any! My heart-attack cost us $85,000 + of course my ongoing meds. We worked a deal out with the hospital and Cardiologist to pay a reasonable amount and never, never to be late with our payments. Because they obviously appreciated that we kept our word we were constantly receiving statements with sizable write-offs. We owe a total of 18,000 now, not quite six years later. Not to bad. Investigate your possibilities.

*As for meds?  Hell~! maybe I'll just have to toke a J. ...

I'm so sorry to hear that you're going through a bad time and that you're uninsured. That's a lot of stress on top of an already stressful situation. I can't tell you anything about how to get Medicare (I live in Canada), but if you go to your closest Medicare office, they should be able to give you more information. Do you live in an area where you might be able to find a reputable doctor of naturopathy? They may be able to help you feel a bit better until you can get medical treatment.

The beginning of learning to live with RA is very overwhelming and scary, to you and your family, but we humans are very good at adapting to changes and so will you. Keep reading on the Internet, here and in other places, contact the Arthritis Foundation in your area for resources, pamphlets and possible referrals to support groups. If you can't find other people with RAA in your area, there are many places on the Internet - HealthCentral is one place, but there are discussion groups and message boards all over the place that you can finding using Google (Yahoo groups is another good place, you can find them here). I've been looking at a very good book called The First Year: Rheumatoid Arthritis: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed by M.E.A. McNeil and you might find it helpful, as well. And try not to be scared (easier said than done, I know) - you will get back to a place where you can live your life again. RA will always be with you, but it's not always as large a presence as it is for you right now. It is absolutely possible to have a good life with this disease.

Sorry - forgot the link to Yahoo Groups.  It's here.

I think that it couldn't hurt to check out applying for Medicare!  Go to www.cms.hhs.gov and click on the "People with Medicare and Medicaid" tab at the top of the page.  There is a link on that page that will direct you on how to apply for Medicare if you are eligible.  If they determine that you are not, then maybe there would be a way for you to qualify for Medicaid? 

I've found a book called What to Do When The Doctor Says It's RHeumatoid Arthritis by Winnie Yu and Harry Fischer; I bought it when I was first diagnosed.  I was so upset I could only read a little at a time!  Then, I discovered several groups on msypace and other websites, like this one, and have gotten a lot of useful information in the past year.  Good luck and keep your head up!!

Pink,  I'm glad you went to a rheumatologist.  That's important.  When they start you on meds, the early ones aren't too expensive.  But, each company that makes the meds has a link to help you pay for them if you can't.  So, find out what each prescription costs and if you can't afford it, then find the website and either call them or follow a link to get the meds free.  Best of luck to you.  There are many options out there so you just need to try them all.  First, get started on steroids to get that inflammation under control and get some pain pills.  They are cheap.  It's a nasty disease and the sooner you get started medicating it, the better.  Medicare may help as well.  I hope you can find everything you need. 

Pink,  I'm glad you went to a rheumatologist.  That's important.  When they start you on meds, the early ones aren't too expensive.  But, each company that makes the meds has a link to help you pay for them if you can't.  So, find out what each prescription costs and if you can't afford it, then find the website and either call them or follow a link to get the meds free.  Best of luck to you.  There are many options out there so you just need to try them all.  First, get started on steroids to get that inflammation under control and get some pain pills.  They are cheap.  It's a nasty disease and the sooner you get started medicating it, the better.  Medicare may help as well.  I hope you can find everything you need.