Rheumatoid Arthritis

I am 47 and have recently been diagnosied with RA and fearfully hope to start treatment this week (Metrx). I'm looking for a reality check on living/working with this condition. I own a custom embroidery shop that I moved out of a retail space to the basement of my home last year. The decision to move was not financial, but because a competitor bought the building - very stressful time. I tried to run the business by myself (minus the 5 employees) and decided as a single Mom to find a full time job and run the (downsized) business on the side. It's not going well; I'm tired and fingers are already going crooked. Am I unrealistic to think that with treatment I will not need to bankrupt the business? I realize my personal signs of grieving flaring up at times about the RA and the business and they are intermixed. I have survived other health issues in the past, but those were not the lingering kind. I like my job and physically it is not taxing so that is not the issue. So the reality check requested is: am I being unrealistic about trying to hang on to the demands of the business while dealing with RA? Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks

Jen,
Depends on HOW stressful the business is. You must get used to managing stress in your life - if it is something you can't "control" you will need to let go. I have found in my decades of RA that I can't depend on using my hands - you get used to using your brain and thinking skills instead. After much research and self-experimentation, I know also that drugs only mask pain and symptoms - the damage continues, and at a faster rate than with nothing because drugs drain needed nutrients out of your body. You should go to vegetarian diet; absolutely necessary if you want to be off drugs. If tired, rest. Do not let yourself become fatigued. You must take care of yourself, learn to listen to your body. If you do - maybe you can be working, active and well (with some minor flares when I don't do what I know I need) as I am over 55.