Almost 10 years with RA and then some............

Diseases & Conditions Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Hello, I watched my father deal with Rhumatoid Arthritis for the last half of his life. Then right before he passed away when I was 19 I had began to notice some of the mild symptoms. I put them off for several years not wanting to deal with the fact that what I had just horrificly lived through with watching him wouldn't and couldn't be a part of my future!!! Unfortunately I couldn't be more wrong. I began to drink and party which seemed to numb all the pains for a while. Then it got to a point where I just could move at all in the mornings and forget raising my arms above my head.
 
It took all of the life out of me but I went to the doctor and after the testing and all other works they put you through it was true. So now diagnosed with the same disease that killed my father at age 52 I am living with along with two other major diseases. Pulmonary Fibrosis and Congestive Heart Failure. These other health issues make me a candidate for being passed around by doctors. No real way to treat me without taking too many other risks with my heart and lungs. Plus I am in remmission for Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.
 
I finally having gone thorugh 5 years of a no result except downhill with one doctor found another who seems to care that I do want to live the most out of life that I can with the time I have left. So we have opted for Enbrel with some prednisone. This along with a few other prescriptions from my other issues. I have not seen any major changes but I have been able to get up everyday and take my son to school! This is what matters to me most!!!! I want to be a mother to my son and a wife to my husband. And it just isn't possible when you live with this kind of torture on your body, mind and soul everyday of your life!
 
I have had a preminission that I will have a daughter and I am thrilled that Enbrel is a safe drug to take if you are pregnant! All the others can be postponed. Everyone thinks that I am insane for wanting to have another child. But I believe when God puts something in your heart you should listen. Even if this may be the last most wonderful thing that I do in my life it so okay by me! I want to live my life to the fullest no matter how long I am here. Although it seems some days are so cloudy, I light the candles and stay inside to read a book and be comfortable knowing that I am still alive!!!
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Hello Margarita.

Welcome to Healing Well. Your story touched my heart, you see I lost my mother to RA also. Although she was a few years older than your dad when she died, I really lost her several years before. She was diagnosed in her late 40's and went downhill from there. She tried all the available meds, but nothing seemed to help. My poor mother spent the last 20 years of her life confined to a wheelchair, unable to perform even the smallest of tasks. She could not even feed her self, her hands were so gnarled. Eventually RA killed her. She died of Rheumatoid Lung.

There are a several members here on Enbrel, and I am sure will be of help to you.  Most of us have other health issues as well, and are on several different meds. Thus we are passed from doctor to doctor. For the most part most of our members have been/or are going through what you are  with your RA. It is a thief. It steals our quality of life.

But there is light at the end of the tunnel now. They have come out with these new drugs that are giving some of us our life back to some extent. Like you, we are now able to have some quality of life. We are finding we are able to do more and more everyday. Some of us are even out riding bikes. LOL

I think if you believe that God wants to give you another child, you should follow your heart. Only you know what is best for you.

Again welcome and hope you continue to post with us. We have some terrific members that will be along to welcome you. We love to share our experiences, our highs and our lows. We are a loving community and I hope you enjoy it here as much as I have.

Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers and hope your remission continues,

flopsie

 

Don't walk in front of me....I may not follow
Don't walk behind me....I may not lead
Walk beside me..and be my friend...
                                    Albert Carnus
 
and Lord, put your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth
 
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What a great story - very sad as well as very encouraging. You are a fighter and I like hearing how people can move on with a life!

Good luck with your son and the decision to concieve again.

I hopefully will be trying enbrel soon myself, and I hope to have great results I can tell all about as well! :-) **

 

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dear Margarita,
welcome to HW!  so very glad to have you.
i think the same way you do...just want the simple things back and to be a good mate to my boyfriend and do just the wonderful little things that those without RA take for granted.
chronic disease on top of RA is not a nice combo.  i hear ya on that.
i have systemic complications which effect my brain, heart, lungs on top of severe RA.  plus Crohns disease (new onset).
makes everything harder.
Enbrel brought many benefits  to me while on therapy.
after a year though...the RA was advancing still.  am on Humira and pred now.  possibly Remicade in the future.
i know my physicalities are limited...but i never and will never give up on my goals and dreams and a better future.
take good care
erin  
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yeah  Hi Margarita,
 
I too want to welcome you to HW. I was so touched by your story as the others were too. You have a great attitude and lots of fight in you and I have no doubt you will go far with your plans. Having another child is strictly your choice and no one else can make that one but you. Pooh, pooh to the inconsiderates with their negative comments. Of course ignorance plays a big role here when dealing with other peeps. Those of us here admire you.
 
I do hope you will hang out with us. We have such a great group here. I read on another post that you are on Cymbalta. I am on it for peripheal neuropathy in my hands and its made such a difference.
 
You hang in there and keep on fighting for what you want. Susie

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hi ya'll,
in regards to chilbirth and all ... if it's in your heart, it is sometimes better to take advantage and do it and have a time of happiness, than not do it and have a lifetime of "what if".

bless you in your decision. i think it is a good one.