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My Diagnosis and Switching to Enbrel

Two years ago, at the age of 21, I first began showing signs of RA. I was officially diagnosed one year later; I was 22 and had just graduated college. I remember watching all of my friends going out, staying out late, dancing... all the things that had seemingly been taken from me, in what seemed like an instant! The official diagnosis came one month before I started graduate school. When questioning whether or not to attend graduate school with a new, life-altering condition, I consulted my rheumatologist who advised me to "go on with graduate school, people live with this every day, you'll forget you have it" As I sit here now, one year later, I am home. I should be in NY currently, finishing my degree, but the flares became so devastating that I needed to come home to be with my parents.

Getting on with life

I've accepted that everyone has some sort of battle, and I don't ask "why me?" because realistically: why NOT me? Everyone has problems and I'm no exception. I understand that and I've made peace with it. But at the same time, I'm frustrated and just want to get on with my life. I'm on MTX, and it has helped tremendously, but not enough. My doctor is in the process of switching me to Enbrel... what are your thoughts? I'm willing to try it.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The RheumatoidArthritis.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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