Hi Catch, and welcome to the forum.

As far as all the symptoms you are now noticing, I think it's a bit like when you buy a new car . . . before you get it, you hardly see any, but once you get it, it seems they are everywhere.

The first year or so can be difficult, not only emotionally, but often with symptoms too. The inflammation can be the most aggressive in the beginning, then can let up for several months or years.

Everyone is different.

The CRABs work for some people and not as well for others. You really want to give them a year or so though, to "do their thing" unless you have bad side-effects. It doesn't sound like you've had any trouble adjusting though, so you should be fine.

The goal of these drugs though is not to help with symptoms, although some people do feel better because they may work to reduce attacks. They do not NECESSARILY reduce progression of the disease itself . . . but if they do work to reduce attacks, that MAY also have a positive impact on progression.

I had a hard first few years, then I did very well for the next 12. I wasn't without symptoms during that period, but they were one's that I learned to ignore after a while. You may always have some symptoms coming and going, but if they become really troublesome, that's more likely an attack.

An attack is defined as "new, or worsening of existing symptoms, lasting longer then 24 hrs". Usually it will be several things happening at once, and the symptoms are normally more difficult (not just bothersome).

Things can change from day to day, or year to year. Try not to get too discouraged if things linger too long for your liking, they could still improve.

Cherie