Your Rheumatoid Arthritis Onset Stories, Page 8

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4 thoughts on “Your Rheumatoid Arthritis Onset Stories, Page 8”

Heather

March 17, 2010 at 12:39 pm

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I am also an RN and can relate to the attitude that Cathy refers to. It has been a difficult run for me. I have had a positive ANA, trochanter bursitis, Fibromyalgia and suffer from joint pain stiffness, fatigue, all the time. It is so frustrating. Thankfully, I have been on immunosuppresives for several years so I have not had too many severe flares. I take prednisone off and on to cover flares but most of the time I am on Methotrexate, Plaquenil and take cortisone shots in my hips when I need them. So far, Ultram is the only thing that touches my pain when I feel bad.

I take care of a lot of patients with advanced RA and I am frightened one day I won’t be able to do the job that I love. People still don’t understand the fatigue I feel or the pain that I feel all the time. Sometimes it gets bad enough that I limp but other times I try and hide it so that people don’t look at me funny. It is frustrating. People just assume I don’t have pain but I have pain every day. I have good and bad days. I am frustrated frequently because I cannot seem to get control of my flares. I still have episodes of pleurisy that are really painful. It is difficult. I can so relate to all these stories. I think the hardest part of having RA and Fibro is people don’t believe you because you look “healthy.”

Thanks for having this website.
Heather RN

Diana

March 17, 2010 at 6:27 pm

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I can so relate to all of these stories. When I have more time I will post my experience. Thank you for sharing and Thank you Kelly for creating this website where we can vent, support and encourage one another.

Anna

January 25, 2014 at 4:58 am

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Wow! These stories are heart breaking & uplifting! I was diagnosed a little over two years ago w/ RA. Also, whole life w/ severe endometriosis, constant infections (pneumonia’s/ sinus & ear infections) allergic to foods, dyes, most antibiotics & pain killers! As an RN was told much of if was stress related! Many tragic family events! Then my 50th birthday week, I found out that all my pain, swelling, lung nodule, toe spasms-deformity, was from RD ( like the disease diagnosis better!). Yes, both a relief, yet a sad & scary process. I am not going to give up! I know there will be a cure & I believe in the Power of Prayer!!! Thanks for listening((;