R.A.

[mandapanda2433]

    Sitting at the computer,wishing the pain would go away. I have Rheumatiod Arthritis. WHat is Rheumatiod Arthritis: Your immune system protects your body against foreign invaders such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses. But with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the immune system loses its ability to tell the difference between these foreign invaders and the body's normal cells. It begins to attack those normal cells too.The damage starts when your immune system begins to weaken your joints. Unlike minor injuries that heal over time, the deterioration of bones and cartilage within the joints caused by moderate to severe RA does not go away. Even without serious symptoms, RA could be irreversibly destroying your joints.One of the basic ways your immune system protects your body is by increasing the flow of blood and immune cells to a threatened part of the body. This produces inflammation. Chemical messengers are involved in the inflammation process, including one called tumor necrosis factor, or TNF.

    In the last month or so I have gone from being mild moderate with RA to being severe. I am having to use a walker to get around and I haven't been able to drive. I have had to rely on my husband, my boys, and friends to help me out so much lately. The pain is worse than I have ever experienced.

    The deal is .. I was on good med's for my RA, but they are immune lowering med's. Which means it lowers my immune system to wear I can catch things easier. Well, I kept getting staph infections. Everytime I got a staph infection I had to stop taking the med's till I was completely over the infection. My Rheumatologist took me off  those medicines till I can see a Infectious Disease Dr. concerning the staph infections I keep getting. In the mean time my joints are becoming more and more debilitated . I have a physical therapist coming to the house 3 times a week right now to help me stay mobile. I am tired all the time and it is getting worse in my finger joints. It hurts to sit for any length of time , it hurts to walk. My Rheumatologist did prescribe some "old school" medicine in the mean time that doesn't lower my immune system but it isn't working to well for me. I am also on Darvocet around the clock for pain.

    The good news is I go see the Infectious Disease Dr. on Thursday 10/23/08 at 2:30 then I will see my Rheumatologist on Monday 10/27/08 at 11:30. So hopefully we can figure out a better course of treatment for me.

    I wanted to write this so that my friends and family would know what is going on with me.

                            Thank you for taking the time to read this!

                               Love,

                                       Amanda

                                         aka: Mandapanda

[yoshiki56]

Oct. 19, 2008 at 9:32 AM

best luck .