Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...

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yvettedurand 04/27/2014

I am glad to find this group and be able to read about the experiences of others with RA. I am 54 and quit my job as a probation officer a few years back to help take care of a family member who had been in a terrible accident that left him a quadriplegic. In the past year that situation changed and I was able (and needed to) go back to work. I live in a rural area and the jobs are few and far between. There is a very good hospital-based nursing program nearby and since nursing is one area where there are jobs, I decided to go through the lengthy process to get into the program. School was to start in January (2014) The first week of December my hands and wrists started to hurt and swell. The pain was so intense that it kept me up at night. Literally within about four or five days I had lost the use of my hands. I had fever and it felt like I had the flu. Because my father, brother and sister all have/had RA, I had a pretty good idea what it was. Sure enough, a week later the Dr. confirmed that my numbers were off the charts. He started me on a megadose of steroids and methotrexate. By mid January my hands had gone down enough to use them. I had already paid $7000. in non-refundable tuition, so I started to school. I am making good grades but it is a STRUGGLE. We are about to start 12 hr./day clinicals. The stress of school is making the RA worse!!! I am glad to find a support group and be able to hear about the experiences of others.

trishcorsi 04/27/2014

Hello and welcome. This group will help lots, it is a sanity saver. If you already have family members you know the drill and what to expect, which is more than a lot of us. I didn't find out until after the diagnosis that it is most definitely genetic, so my learning curve was much steeper. The generation prior to ours didn't think it was necessary to share medical information I will not make the same mistake. I made sure that I shared with cousins and offspring, so they can not be sideswiped later. Welcome to our group and I do wish you well on your studies. Once the meds all kick in it will get easier, the ups and downs will be less traumatic. Again, welcome. Trish

m06455 04/27/2014

Welcome....hope it helps you it has me being a member and even just doing my journal.

lynnedavidson3 04/27/2014

Sorry about your diagnosis. How many 12 hour days? How many days in a row? I am not asking these questions to be nosey, but to focus on a plan. When can you sit? Can you change your shoes a couple of times? Figure out how to get some caffeine to keep you going.
About eight months after my Dx, I needed to do some very long days at work. RA was not controlled, yet. A couple of them were 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM. It wasn't any fun, but sometimes you just have to get certain things done.
You may want to talk to your Doctor, maybe you could stay on the prednisone during this time.
Keep us posted on how you are doing!
Lynne

Angelpuss 04/28/2014

Welcome, Yvette, to this group where I know you will find support and knowledge from everyone. Good luck with your nursing course

lionprincess00 04/28/2014

Welcome! I went to nursing school yrs ago, but dropped out to become a full time mom to one, pregnant with one. Luckily I did that because I wound up with a handful of kids a few yrs later lol! I wanted to work ERafter graduation. Have you choosen a department you like, or narrowed it down? I couodnt imagine doing clinicals today like this, ra and all. You must have tremendous resolve and courage! I too would suggest prednisone daily til meds are worked out, seeing as you must be active for extended periods. I have been on it 7 months, and am down to 2.5 mg daily. I was on 10 forever, and 20 during flares. It is a pain to get off it, but sometimes it become a necessary evil. Welcome to this awesome group!

annettearizona 04/28/2014

Hello and welcome! We are open 24 hours a day-7 days a week and we're free of charge too :)

yvettedurand 04/28/2014

Thanks to all for the warm welcome and interest in offering assistance in my situation. Believe me, it is very welcome. I have to work from 6 AM to 7 PM Monday and Tuesday. I think we get a couple of breaks and a lunch in there somewhere. I am hoping the instructor will be understanding and help me get through it. Luckily coffee is available on all the floors. I am going to the Dr. tomorrow to see if he has any suggestions for making it a little easier for me. I really hate to get back on the steroids but you may all be right about that and it will just be necessary for a while. I am about 15 lbs overweight already just from lack of activity since the diagnosis and starting class in January. (I tend to be an emotional eater which isn't a good thing.) The prednisone will make that worse. Haven't decided on an area of focus. Hopefully that will reveal itself in the months ahead. Thanks again to all of you and I look forward to being part of the group.

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