Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Autoimmune Rheumatiod Arthritis???

Hey hi Sarah, ditto to everyone, really... yes I'm RA. I've had two rheumies tell me they 'treat it all the same anyway' which is half crap but half true and the reason, after all, I am friends with all of you. Good luck to your friend.

(read as a whisper... be careful who you share your site of refuge with... or speak carefully! I say that with all the love and support I have... my Mom asked to join and as much as I know it helps many families here- and I support that- I wouldn't want my Mom reading some of my posts )

CC

Ditto to that C.C., I have a couple of family members here on the site now and I'm worried about a couple of my posts too!!

My mum lived till she was 90 she had ostio and RA never had any treatment except pain killers her hands were bent and deformed she had severe kyphosis hips were shot and her feet and knees one special lady who was always happy and rarely complained about the terrible pain she was in. I think its from her that I get my determination and my strength to fight my AS.
Kevin

Possi and Kevin

Possi, I'm so sorry to hear that you have so many overlaps, it just isn't fair. It's good that you are happy with life and enjoy friends and family. That you do what you can and get out and about. Pred is a wonderful drug when you need it. All the drugs for these diseases have bad side effects and in my opinion, at least you know what you are getting with pred.

Kevin, your Mother was amazing to have to deal with RA and have no treatment! She was a strong, inspiring woman.

I do think the key in dealing with these diseases is attitude. With that I will disclose to you that my Mom has locked herself up in her house and dwells on every little bad thing. RA has affected her heart also, she refused emergency treatment, made them release her and ended up back in the hospital within 24 hours almost dead. She finally accepted treatment. But because her brain was deprived oxygen she now has mental capacity issues, almost like bad alzheimers, not exactly like it but it's the closest I can use to explain. For almost 3 decades she has shut herself off from life. She's refused MTX and other treatments. She finally did Remicade for a couple years but was dissappointed when it didn't "fix her hands" and the doctor was "too far away" (an hour away), so she quit. She was so far gone by that point that it did help her pain but nothing else. Her muscles are so atrophied from just sitting around for 30 years that she can barely walk, yet again, refuses to go anywhere in a wheelchair. She has no friends anymore, her sisters and brother don't want to have anything to do with her because she never reciprocated, never even tried to have a relationship with them, all she ever did was b!$%h about them and now she's mad that they don't ever come around.

I'm not complaining, I'm just telling it like it is. It IS sad and it hurts me to see her like she is. I would take her pain for her, if I could. I would like to give her a day of euphoric happiness. I would do anything for her, if she would only ask, for I do not know what she wants and there is no reply from her when I prod. She has given up an did so many years ago.

Kevin, I learned from my Mom too. But I learned how not to be, it is self destructive.

Possi - it's not often you post quite how severe your symptoms are but when you do it's such a good reminder to me to be grateful for the quality of life I have right now despite the pain and difficulties I have. What an extraordinary strength you have had to face all this for so long.

I'm so glad you have a supportive doctor.

I'm sorry your mom has had such a hard time of it, Jewel. One of the best things about KickAS is the positive attitude offered by most Asers. It's the reason I stay on the site despite having RA not AS - it's such a boost when I'm feeling low.

Yes... Michelle and CC - I've given the site to a close friend with AS and, since then, have wondered whether that was a wise move because at times I've been very candid on the site. Oh, well - too late now!

jewelz,

i'm so sorry to hear about how your mother just kind of gave up on things,

but am impressed at how you have stuck by her and how you have learned

to be different.

Possi,

I forgot to add in my post that you are an exceptionally strong woman to deal with all that life has dealt you. You are a great motivator to many in your life. I am in awe of how you handle yourself and can only hope that I can emulate that strength.

Big HUG to you! Jewelz

You guys! I just don't know what to say. I appreciate what you said but I am just me; nothing special at all. I would never make it through the days if it wasn't for the Lord and for my husband, kids, grands, family, church, friends with that being especially you here. You fit more in the family slot that friends.

Hugs and Blessings.
Possi

Good night!