https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Ford/m-p/1028999#M388035 <P>Hi Kellin!</P> <P>I am so sorry to hear that you have been diagnosed with the very life changing disease, rheumatoid arthritis. It was the beginning of my physical debilitation at age 66, now ten years ago. I don't know how old you are, but 66 is old for an initial diagnosis of RA. Therefore I am always grateful that I came down with it late in life and had many years of good health prior.</P> <P>I will help you in any way I can, but I will caution you that I have not always made the right decisions. Everyone's RA is different. I know a couple who are my age and who both coincidentally have RA. The husband is nearly 100% disabled, but the wife has remained pretty much a moderate case for as long as I have known them. They are on different medications, although neither is on the biologics, which I have never taken and which could have been a bad decision on my part. Educate yourself on these meds thoroughly, they behave differently on every individual and although they are basically the same type of med, they have different effects between brands.</P> <P>If you can, please stay away from prednisone or any other steroids. I won't go into it now, but had I to do it over again, I would never have taken this med for even a week, let alone the ten years I have been taking it. I am still holding this tiger by the tail and doubt I will ever be able to let go of it. It is a miracle at first, and a curse long term.</P> <P>Please take up sydsgma on her offer to help you as well. She also has RA and does very well with the biologics . . . she is in much better health than I am and I believe we are about the same age. She is also very, very well informed about this disease.</P> <P>The one thing I can recommend to you right now is to educate yourself as much as possible about this disease and the many side effects and other autoimmune diseases it can lead to. It is not curable, but it is, like diabetes, controllable. Have dexa scans as often as your insurance allows to keep a check on your bones (osteopenia, osteoporosis, etc.). My worst side effect has been severe osteoporosis in my spine and hips caused at least 50% by the prednisone I have taken.</P> <P>Also see several rheumatologists and get their diagnoses and opinions. Choose the one you feel the most comfortable with. Make sure he/she gives you a thorough physical examination and lab work, including the RA Factor (RF), anti-CCP, CRP (C-Reactive Protein), and sedimentation rate (which looks for infection and inflammation). Those numbers are very important. Believe it or not, the least indicative of RA is the RF lab test which can show erroneous positives/negatives, but it is an important indicator nonetheless.</P> <P>Important: You don't want a rheumatologist who is going to just prescribe a med and not even touch you (I have had several of them). Rheumatologists have it tough because they realize they are working with an incurable disease, so they lose interest easily.</P> <P>Sometimes RA can go into remission. I believe sydsgma has at times. I have never had a remission.</P> <P>In the meantime, thank you for your kind words. Remember that some folks, such as sydsgma, can still live very productive lives with RA. You will have to make these decisions with a well informed mind. I hope you have a husband and/or family that can help you as well. But please feel free to pick my brain as much as you want. I will always be honest with you.</P> <P>My very best wishes.<IMG src="http://community.qvc.com/DesktopModules/ExactTarget/Controls/TextEditor/jscripts/tiny_mce/plugins/emotions/img/001_wub.gif" alt="{#emotions_dlg.wub}" /> Ford</P> <P> </P> Sat, 05 Jul 2014 16:37:00 GMT LilacTree 2014-07-05T16:37:00Z https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Ford/m-p/1028884#M388013 You are beautiful! I have RA now - and you are my go to person! You are educational, You always share your ups and downs, your feelings- I suspect you must be like me emotionally - Indian, Irish, and Pisces! You have taught me so much!!!! I adore you!!! Sat, 05 Jul 2014 04:15:27 GMT https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Ford/m-p/1028884#M388013 Kellean 2014-07-05T04:15:27Z https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Ford/m-p/1028889#M388014 I am waiting for my friends to come and support me. Sat, 05 Jul 2014 04:16:52 GMT https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Ford/m-p/1028889#M388014 Kellean 2014-07-05T04:16:52Z https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Ford/m-p/1028894#M388015 <BLOCKQUOTE><SPAN class="quote_author">On 7/4/2014 <STRONG>Kellin</STRONG> said:</SPAN> You are beautiful! I have RA now - and you are my go to person! You are educational, You always share your ups and downs, your feelings- I suspect you must be like me emotionally - Indian, Irish, and Pisces! You have taught me so much!!!! I adore you!!!</BLOCKQUOTE> <P><STRONG>Kellin,</STRONG></P> <P> </P> <P>I agree.</P> Sat, 05 Jul 2014 04:16:52 GMT https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Ford/m-p/1028894#M388015 hckynut 2014-07-05T04:16:52Z https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Ford/m-p/1028899#M388016 John Thank you! You are a gem! Sat, 05 Jul 2014 04:18:55 GMT https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Ford/m-p/1028899#M388016 Kellean 2014-07-05T04:18:55Z https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Ford/m-p/1028904#M388017 <P>Good to see you posting Kellin.</P> <P>I'm sorry to hear about your RA diagnosis. I hope many posters can be a support to you.</P> <P>Waving hi to Ford. <img id="smileyhappy" class="emoticon emoticon-smileyhappy" src="https://community.qvc.com/i/smilies/16x16_smiley-happy.png" alt="Smiley Happy" title="Smiley Happy" /> </P> Sat, 05 Jul 2014 04:20:31 GMT https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Ford/m-p/1028904#M388017 dmod nj 2014-07-05T04:20:31Z https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Ford/m-p/1028910#M388018 I will support you---xxxx Sat, 05 Jul 2014 04:36:08 GMT https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Ford/m-p/1028910#M388018 sylviahomeatlast 2014-07-05T04:36:08Z https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Ford/m-p/1028918#M388019 <P>Hi Kellin. Sorry about your diagnosis. But good to see you around again!</P> Sat, 05 Jul 2014 04:38:16 GMT https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Ford/m-p/1028918#M388019 september 2014-07-05T04:38:16Z https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Ford/m-p/1028923#M388020 <P>Kellin, your superlatives are very much like another old member, victoria girl's. Hope you don't mind me saying. Long as you don't turn in the middle of the night... <IMG src="http://community.qvc.com/DesktopModules/ExactTarget/Controls/TextEditor/jscripts/tiny_mce/plugins/emotions/img/laugh.gif" alt="{#emotions_dlg.laugh}" /></P> <P>I too am suffering from some severe arthritis right now ... osteo though, not RA. </P> Sat, 05 Jul 2014 04:57:50 GMT https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Ford/m-p/1028923#M388020 skuggles 2014-07-05T04:57:50Z https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Ford/m-p/1028928#M388021 I have RA! Which is horrible! So, I am reaching out to my friends. Victoria girl I liked her - so I don't have bad feelings towards her.. Nnn Sat, 05 Jul 2014 05:06:40 GMT https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Ford/m-p/1028928#M388021 Kellean 2014-07-05T05:06:40Z https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Ford/m-p/1028933#M388022 I have a horrible disease and I am reaching out for your support.! I really liked Victoria - she was Irish, and she was a very sweet girl! It's selective -I liked her. Sat, 05 Jul 2014 05:11:39 GMT https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Ford/m-p/1028933#M388022 Kellean 2014-07-05T05:11:39Z https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Ford/m-p/1028940#M388023 I need support and love! Thank you in advanced, Sat, 05 Jul 2014 05:13:57 GMT https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Ford/m-p/1028940#M388023 Kellean 2014-07-05T05:13:57Z https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Ford/m-p/1028945#M388024 I love Ford ! She is beautiful - I Love her! Sat, 05 Jul 2014 05:17:00 GMT https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Ford/m-p/1028945#M388024 Kellean 2014-07-05T05:17:00Z https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Ford/m-p/1028950#M388025 I love Ford! I am fighting the goof fight! Sat, 05 Jul 2014 05:22:29 GMT https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Ford/m-p/1028950#M388025 Kellean 2014-07-05T05:22:29Z https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Ford/m-p/1028955#M388026 It is really hard! But , yeah I have everything right now!! It is just one moment!!! I am Irish. , and 10'percent Claudette- my mother! Sat, 05 Jul 2014 05:27:54 GMT https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Ford/m-p/1028955#M388026 Kellean 2014-07-05T05:27:54Z https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Ford/m-p/1028959#M388027 <P>goof fight?</P> Sat, 05 Jul 2014 05:37:09 GMT https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Ford/m-p/1028959#M388027 september 2014-07-05T05:37:09Z https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Ford/m-p/1028964#M388028 <P>wondered where you had wandered off to.............now I know..........keep fighting the good fight Kellin.............................................raven</P> Sat, 05 Jul 2014 06:18:59 GMT https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Ford/m-p/1028964#M388028 raven-blackbird 2014-07-05T06:18:59Z https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Ford/m-p/1028969#M388029 I am Laurie, Irish, and Indian- and your friend! Sat, 05 Jul 2014 06:25:01 GMT https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Ford/m-p/1028969#M388029 Kellean 2014-07-05T06:25:01Z https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Ford/m-p/1028974#M388030 I love you Ravin! I Sat, 05 Jul 2014 06:26:29 GMT https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Ford/m-p/1028974#M388030 Kellean 2014-07-05T06:26:29Z https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Ford/m-p/1028979#M388031 <P>Ford being the lady who was once so active and has been slowed by health issues. If so, I like reading her posts too. She writes beautifully.</P> Sat, 05 Jul 2014 12:57:44 GMT https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Ford/m-p/1028979#M388031 AuntG 2014-07-05T12:57:44Z https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Ford/m-p/1028984#M388032 Kelli , I have had ra for over 25 years. It is debilitating yes, but it can be well controlled with meds. I live a full, active life...worked as a principal, sang in a professional choral group and now travel all over the world. I exercise most days and enjoy ver young grandchildren. I believe living with ra requires a good rheumatologist and a positive attitude. Yes, I have times where I do not feel well and flare, but I deal with that. Ford and I have very different views on medications, but it have a lot of respect for her. Feel free to ask me questions. (((Hugs))) Sat, 05 Jul 2014 14:07:29 GMT https://community.qvc.com/t5/Community-Chat/Ford/m-p/1028984#M388032 sydsgma1 2014-07-05T14:07:29Z