Rheumatoid Arthritis - National RA Day

Since tomorrow (Saturday July 7th 2007) is the launching of the 1st National RA Day in Malaysia, I would like to write on this subject . I am an RA(rheumatoid arthritis) sufferer for about ten years now. Many people today still do not know much about this disease if they do not have relatives or friends having it. So I am very happy that recently the Arthritis Foundation M'sia is working very hard to bring awareness to the public about this very painful and destructive disease. If I had been aware of this disease ten years ago I would not have suffer so much. Luckily two and a half years ago an RA patient recommended me a very good rheumatologist (Dr.Chow Sook Kuan of Sunway Medical Centre, President of AFM) that changes my whole life for the better. Thank you Dr.Chow. When I first visited her , I could not straighten my two elbows because they were already stiffen. My knuckles were swollen and painful. Both my ankles were swollen and I could not walk or stand for too long at a time. I am on steroids , antinflamatory drugs and painkillers!! Because of lack of awareness and ignorance I have resort to all kinds of treatment (acupunture, chinese herbal, ayuverdic-(went to India 1998), quack doctors-I don't know why, but feeling very desperate at that time. ) but to no avail after all the money spent. Cannot count the number of direct-selling salesperson that comes a calling and my trying all their so called magic-healing products. One by one they just disappear after seeing my condition getting worse instead of better. To know more about this disease you can go to .http://thestar.com.my/health/story.asp?file=/2007/7/1/health/18174352&sec=health