I've been on the same treatment plan for my RA for 16 months now. I still hate giving myself a shot every week, no big surprise there though.
I feel very blessed that the treatment I'm on is helping so much still. The only RA related complaints I have these days are stiffness in my hands in the morning, and my legs if I sit too long. And since those are my only physical complaints I'd say I'm pretty lucky!
Because of the miracle of modern medicine I am living a completely normal fulfilling life, I can do all the things I could in my pre-RA days. And some days I can almost imagine I don't actually have RA...I just take LOTS of vitamins! :)
I have yet to see any upside to this disease/trial. I just don't think there is. I'm just glad I don't see and feel the downside very often these days.
So that's my update. I feel good. I feel normal and healthy and lucky.
Here's hoping nothing changes, I like this feeling!
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
As I've been reading up on RA one of the things that is consistently stressed on every website and in every article I've read is the importance of support from family, and having family well informed on what is going on in my life will help me emotionally. I know you all have busy lives, but this disease has become such a huge part of my every day life I want to share with you what I'm going through, and I'm hoping it will really help me to know there are people I can talk to when I'm having a bad day or week.
I am in no way doing this to make anyone feel sorry for me, I just want to be treated normally and make people more aware what RA can do.
I am in no way doing this to make anyone feel sorry for me, I just want to be treated normally and make people more aware what RA can do.
About Rheumatoid Arthritis
Timeline of events
*February '07 - started showing symptoms, in hands and feet
*July '07 - First visit with General Practitioner
Put on prednisone
*October '07 - after months of tests coming back neg. referred to a Rhematologist
*February '08 - First visit with Rheumatologist
diagnosed with RA, kept on prednisone because of pregnancy
*August '08 - 3 weeks pp start of extreme pain and stiffness
*September '08 - Started aggressive treatment for RA
*July '07 - First visit with General Practitioner
Put on prednisone
*October '07 - after months of tests coming back neg. referred to a Rhematologist
*February '08 - First visit with Rheumatologist
diagnosed with RA, kept on prednisone because of pregnancy
*August '08 - 3 weeks pp start of extreme pain and stiffness
*September '08 - Started aggressive treatment for RA
What is rheumatoid arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis can also cause inflammation of the tissue around the joints, as well as in other organs in the body. Autoimmune diseases are illnesses that occur when the body tissues are mistakenly attacked by its own immune system. The immune system is a complex organization of cells and antibodies designed normally to "seek and destroy" invaders of the body, particularly infections. Patients with autoimmune diseases have antibodies in their blood that target their own body tissues, where they can be associated with inflammation. Because it can affect multiple other organs of the body, rheumatoid arthritis is referred to as a systemic illness and is sometimes called rheumatoid disease.
While rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic illness, meaning it can last for years, patients may experience long periods without symptoms. Typically, however, rheumatoid arthritis is a progressive illness that has the potential to cause joint destruction and functional disability.
3 comments:
Medicine is great, huh? I'm happy you're doing so well with you treatment.
I'm so glad to hear your treatment is working well for you!
I am glad you are doing so well. An upside of health struggles? I could share one I have discovered. It is that ability to truly feel empathy for others with similar trials and be able to give them help and or comfort. I am sure you will have this opportunity if you haven't already.
Keep up the can do attitude and you'll be a blessing to many!
Post a Comment