Name: Cindi
Age: 50's
Hometown: Outside NYC
Family Status: I have two grown sons
Occupation: Sr.Community Moderator, Health, Diet & Fitness, iVillage.com /> iVillage member name: cmcindik
iVillage boards or chats you can be found on: I keep an eye on all things "community"
Condition and date of diagnosis: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 1982

Cindi's Story

What was your initial reaction when you were diagnosed?

Oh, there were so many reactions! Happy, because a name had been given to the pain and flu-like symptoms I'd been having; concerned, because my grandmother had RA and I remembered how disabled (yet determined!) she was; and oddly unafraid, as back then I had little information about the disease, and my doctor (who didn't remain my doctor for long) assured me the pain would resolve shortly.

How did your friends and family react?

My children were young — one and five — when I was diagnosed and understood little of the diagnosis. What they did see was a mother who was unable to play soccer and baseball, had trouble turning doorknobs and needed a lot of sleep. Older family members usually had one of three responses: 1) "My aunt had that and was cured by (choose one: honey and vinegar, vitamins, bee stings, sitting in a cave of radon)"; 2) "I have arthritis, too — try (choose one: Tylenol, aspirin, hot baths)"; 3) "Oh, you poor thing! You're so young to have arthritis!"

What treatments, medications, therapies or surgeries have you undergone?

I've been on almost all of the traditional rheumatoid arthritis therapies -- all the NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and DMARDs (disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs). It was Remicade (I was in the clinical trials) that put me into remission -- and I continue to feel well today with the help of Enbrel. I also have a caring, bright and aggressive rheumatologist. She's kept me moving through more than 20 years of RA.

What nonmedical, alternative or spiritual efforts have helped your condition?

Acupuncture, tai chi, meditation, Reiki (healing through natural energy called "chi"), a variety of herbs and vitamins and dietary modifications have all helped with varying success.

What has been your biggest triumph since your diagnosis?

I've kept working! Read more of Cindi's story

What has been your biggest fear — and how are you dealing with it?

The fear that I'll lose insurance — and I'm not dealing well with it.

What are the most helpful things your friends and family members have done for you?

I used to be annoyed that family and friends didn't "get it." Now, I'm grateful. It's spurred me on, kept me fighting.

What advice do you have for the newly diagnosed?

Find the best rheumatologist you can — one who has time for you, that you trust, who's knowledgeable about the latest treatments. RA is chronic and your "rheumie" will be the one you'll go to when the chips are down.

How has iVillage helped you cope?

Without a doubt, it was the chats and message boards in Health & Well-Being that gave me the strength and support to keep going. With young children, chronic pain, working and the lack of any real-life support groups near me, it was online life that provided an outlet -- as well as a wealth of knowledge -- about rheumatoid arthritis. Listening to other woman share their experiences with treatments, discuss coping skills and vent and laugh together on the boards and in the chats was an inspiration. Finally, there were people who "got it!"