My story....

I have been wonderfully healthy all my life, so when I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) in 2001, I couldn't believe it. My mind was saying "No!", but my body was saying, "I'm afraid so."

When I first started having symptoms in the Spring of 2001, I was playing a major role in running my family business. Just three months earlier we had moved our offices to a larger, prominently located facility with the anticipation and excitement of growing our thriving business.

I had turned 50 in April 2001which was close to the time my symptoms started. My first problems were cramps in my legs and feet during the night. I started having trouble walking because of the pain in my feet. Then one day my shoulder developed this incredible pain that sent me straight to the doctor. He treated it with a steroid pack thinking I had just injured it. About a month later, I woke up in the middle of the night with so much pain in my other shoulder that I went to the emergency room, but they could find nothing wrong. My family physician said it was time for some blood work and the results were indicative of RA.

The first rheumatologist I saw prescribed and anti-inflammatory drug and suggested we wait and see what happened. I didn't like that answer. I did not want to wait to see my joints deteriorate. I researched my illness on the internet and stared shopping for another doctor. My search led me to Dr. Halter who manages many clinical trials on new drugs in the field of rheumatology. I had to wait a month before Dr. Halter had an open appointment and another month or so before I could start the clinical trial he recommended.

In the meantime, I became very ill. I had to stop working and could hardly get out of bed. I could not lift my arms to comb my hair. It was getting very difficult for me to get up from a sitting position due to pain in my knees. I limped because of pain in my feet. I was a mess and became very depressed. However, I was very blessed to have a wonderful loving husband and a close relationship with Jesus Christ.

I started taking D2E7 (the trial name for Humira) through a clinical trial in late September 2001, 1 year and 3 months before the drug received FDA approval. My improvement was overnight. Suddenly I was able to sleep at night. It was so wonderful.

I take Humira by subcutaneous injection once every 2 weeks and have progressively gotten better with each treatment. My x-rays reveal no joint erosion. Five months after my treatment started, my husband and I took a cruise. I was walking up and down stairs, going on walking tours and even dancing!

When I was at my lowest point I turned to God. I could barely get out of bed, but I could open my Bible and pray. I know that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

I encourage you to learn all you can about RA and to continue searching for a rheumatologist that is on the leading edge of his field. Avoid depression by reaching out to others. Don't wait for others to help you because they may not know your needs.

I will be happy to talk to you about RA and my treatment. Just call.

God bless you and keep you,

Susan Byrd

December 13, 2003

My Doctor and My Medication

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