Hello fellow lupus sufferers-
Just wanted to drop a line and say hello to everyone. I use to post on the LFA before they shut it down....but now i hope to help and find friends here. I have had lupus since i was 19 and it has been strugle to get where i am now. But thanx to a nifty drug called Arava, my lupus is more under control and i can go out more. I use to be pretty much bed ridden. I can even clean my house a bit again..(funny that that would make me happy *grin*)..anyways, i hope to offer help to you guys, if i can. Lupus is a bumpy road and i feel we need all the friends and all the help we can get. Take care and i wish you all the best.
Your friend in lupus, Mizzkitty

Mizzkitty:
I can relate to your statement of saying that you were "glad" you were able to clean house. I remember how happy I was to be able to get down on my knees and clean the baseboards in my bathroom. There was a time when I couldn't do that, but with medication and the PACE exercises for people with arthritis I am able to get down on my knees to clean, then am able to get back up.
Yes, Lupus is a bumpy road but I plan to fight it every step of the way. A good outlook is half the battle.

Irish

[This message has been edited by Irish (edited 05-23-2001).]

I'm a little late, but I'd like to welcome you to the board too and I hope you stick around.
Now, I'd like you to both share your secrets........like what are the PACE exercises and what do you all have to go through before they give you this miracle drug Arava?
Ann

Ann:
I have never heard of the drug, Arava, but I can tell you what the PACE exercises are. PACE stands for People With Arthritis Can Exercise! They are slow range-of-motion exercises for those of us who have arthritis. I love them! I am a certified instructor and take turns with 3 other ladies at our local Community Center on Monday and Friday. They have really helped me. You can call the Arthritis Foundation for the nearest group near you. I'm sure their website could tell you.

Before I started taking the exercises I could barely get out of bed and was so stiff and sore that I really had trouble making my bed, hanging towels on the clothesline and cleaning house. I had to overlook the cobwebs for several months until I discovered the PACE exercises. Now, with proper medication and the exercises, I do just about anything I want to.
I must also give credit to the fact that I drink a pint of fresh carrot juice every day. My husband and I bought a juicer and we each drink a pint of carrot juice a day. Ourlocal Wal-Mart store thinks we have rabbits because we buy so many carrots. We feel that the carrot juice gives us extra energy and is also very healthy for us.
Think well! Think well! Think well!

Irish