Yes, ginnier, this a lifelong battle. I too cannot give you first hand info. But I have watched my 45 year old daughter struggle with this nasty disease for 25 years. First you need to know that treatment has advanced greatly since her grandmother's struggle with RA in the 70's. DD was hospitalized more times than we can remember in the early years. Then came methotrexate, which helped the RA greatly, but she was in the hospital twice with infections caused by her weakened immune system from it. She took it for a time by mouth and it eroded her esophagus, so she was put on injections for 8 or 9 years. She did quite well during that time, but by the age of 40, she had both knees replaced and a wrist fusion. When enbrel came out she was put on it in addition to the methotrexate. Since then she has been doing well, but I am aware of a slow but steady decline in her stamina. She has worked for 20 years as a physical therapist assistant. She knows what to do to keep herself at her physical best. She rides a bike when she can, and does water therapy regularly, but has just applied for SS Disability because she cannot be a reliable support for the patients she works with in her job. What she wants is retraining for perhaps Occupational Therapy through the BVR, but she must be declared unfit for her present occupation first. Stress does play a role in RA. When you are stressed you are more likely to have flareups. And the disease does ebb and flow. DD had months of symptom free time and with the addition of the newer drugs her flareups were further and further apart. The support of family and friends will be a big help to keep you less stressed. A positive outlook (I know it will be almost impossible at times) will be your greatest ally, along with a close relationship with your doctor.

About three years ago I had some problems with right shoulder when reaching in various directions, especially up, and back, as retrieving something in the back seat of the car. My G.P. suggested that I get Glucosamine Sulfate and take three capsules daily, to help with cartilage between the bones. I've been taking it for a time ... and came on here a while ago to say that, as I got an extended supply on sale a while ago, I am going to have to go on living for somewhat longer (also have quite a lot of PB and jam on hand, for even more incentive). I find that the shoulder has been developing some of those problems again, recently. Oh, well ... life do have its problems! ________________________ Can one get "diplomacy" ... ... without a prescription? Perhaps a touch of that on the part of some participants might help pour some oil on troubled waters, around here. While I fairly frequently find some of snidely's information somewhat unfeeling and rather abrasive ... I find that I've learned some things from them, as well. Dad used to say that one should let a lot of life's problems lacking direct consequence for one's self ... ... roll like water off of a duck's back. ole joyful

Unfortunately, I am very lax on exercising... I used to go to the pool and exercise when I lived in former town, but it got to the place the chemicals made me itch and break out so badly that my skin bled... I walked 3-4 miles a day...then came 3 joint replacements and arthritis in every joint in my body and I have constant pain. The surgeon who relpaced one of my hips, cut the nerves and I walk with a terrible wabble and it feels like it is caving in with each step, and no fixing it...the nerves are dead....so makes my back hurt and have terrible balance when I do try to walk. I have gained a lot of weight and it know it makes all of my health problems worse..plus I am blessed with tremors in my hands..so I think I have just given up on extending my years. I am able to keep up with my house and take care of my personal needs, but life has lost its "fun" for me any more.

Terezosa: Yes and No. If you want to buy from the guy down the road: NO. It's illegal to buy from someones house. If you want to buy from a pot store: yes, but you can only have a certain amount on you at any given time. If you want your drug plan to pay for your pot or oil, you go to a doctor (not your GP, but a special doctor that specializes in it, which is why I gave a link where in Calgary you can get your prescriptions written) and have it filled to get reimbursed from your benefits plan. My husbands specialist was very quick to say YES when I suggested my husband try oils and smoking pot to relieve his headaches. He said he can't write a prescription for it, so he sent him to one of the clinics here. https://www.canada.ca/en/services/health/campaigns/cannabis.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc_en&utm_content=misc_1&utm_campaign=cannabis-18