Hi Rebecca,

It's so hard to find comfort,it is such a lonely feeling as pain seems to lock out the world around us.I have spent many days on the verge of tears,not a pretty picture for a 40 year old man eh?
I believe that it is important to remember that no one has the right answer for you but if you take what others say and try to apply this to your experiece you will know which bits fit and which bits don't.
For my bit I would say the most important thing you have to have is your mind in shape to deal with the pain. A few years back while going through a really bad flare I found this doctor running a pain clinic,he told me he could do nothing for my condition but could help with the pain. My rhumy was not impressed and did not want me to get the steroid injections,well I was depressed and said to hell with him and got the pain relief. It was for my shoulder and neck,I know you have pain all over but I believe if you can get some relief for the worst parts it makes it easier to cope with the rest. The best bit of advise I got from this doctor was sleep. He told me that if your not sleeping your body will not be able to cope and heal. I find that if I do not get sleep because of pain the depression is worse as the mind is not up to the task.This doctor gave me Zimovane which is a relaxant, he told me it was not a sleeping tablet and would not be addictive. This was about 7 years ago and I have to say he was right,the zimovane helped me to sleep and things were much more manageable.I still have the zimovane but now only use it about once a month,its like a service,I need a good nights sleep and I'm up to the task for another while.
I have just started on enbrel myself,just today in fact.I have been at my end lately and I have pinned a lot of hope on this,I know I can't beat the diease but I can't let it beat me.If I am going to do this I must keep my mind strong,I believe we all have the answers to what's best for ourselves and I hope you find yours,listen to others but only use the bits which fit.

Best of luck,
Bert.