| You've come a long way Baby! | | | | my "recovery". |
| This isn't an easy subject for me. But it's a story that | | | | Because most of the beginning drugs can take upto 3 |
| I'm sure many will relate too. I have Rheumatoid | | | | months to be at full power, change did not come |
| Arthritis. Thanks to the wonders of medical science | | | | quickly. |
| and a doctor who worked with me for five years to | | | | Most common medications for RA are planquenil and |
| get my "Molotov cocktail" just right, I am, for the most | | | | methotraxate. I was started on the planquenil and |
| part, in remission. | | | | when there was only a tiny minute difference in my |
| I'm writing about this due to my pleasure at saying "I'm | | | | pain, the methotraxate was added. Of course, |
| in remission" and hope that by sharing the beginning | | | | anti-inflammatories were de rigeour, plus various |
| and middle of my journey (I won't say end, because | | | | vitamins to replenish what the drugs took away. My |
| this disease is not curable) I will provide someone out in | | | | medical team also had blood tests done every month |
| cyberland with some encouragement. | | | | to make sure other levels remained "normal". During |
| Before RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis), I was already being | | | | this time, all the cortisone injections created cataracts |
| treated for chronic sciatic nerve and joint pain-in brief, | | | | for me, so at age 44 I had implants to correct the loss |
| the physical medicine doctor treated me with over 45 | | | | of eyesight. |
| cortisone injections and anti-inflammatories, plus | | | | Still not much improvement. However, thanks to some |
| physical therapy. When I questioned him about the use | | | | new drugs and this wonderful doctor a positive |
| of so much steroids and my medical prognosis and if I | | | | change finally came! |
| may indeed have RA, he told me my blood tests were | | | | First, I did retire from running my own pre-school and |
| negative and my hands looked "fine" and said what I | | | | day care. Too much for my body. Then I took six |
| had was fibromyalgia and would have to learn and live | | | | weeks to rest my very rundown body. |
| with my limitations. | | | | I was started on ENBREL injections. My husband, bless |
| Thankfully about this time, our daughter pushed us into | | | | him, gives them to me once a week (I've opted to |
| the world of computerization and the internet. With her | | | | have 2 at the same time). Within 2 weeks of starting |
| deft hand at computers, she helped me do a lot of | | | | this medication I began to feel better! Within 2 months, I |
| research about my symptoms. I found out a very | | | | was power-walking 3 miles a day, doing strengthening |
| interesting but little known fact: 1 of every 4 people | | | | exercises 20 minutes a day and working full-time. |
| who take the test to diagnose RA, do not register! In | | | | The real miracle-for the first time in 8 years, no one |
| other words-a negative positive. | | | | around me could detect that I had something as |
| At about this same time period, other debilitating things | | | | serious as RA. I walked with a firm confident stride, I |
| began to break down: I began having pain and loss of | | | | kept up with co-workers who were ten years younger |
| use of my jaw, fatigue, low grade temperatures and | | | | and the best part, I felt good. It's been four years now |
| heat spots in the middle of my hands and bottom of | | | | and it continues to be the case. I've had some bad |
| my feet. | | | | days, but in general, they have been relatively few. |
| My orthodontist (yes, I still wear a retainer) noticed my | | | | To wrap up, I am sharing this story to hopefully give |
| physical changes and insisted on an x-ray. There is | | | | others who have health issues to stand up for |
| was, the arthritis had hit my jaw. At this point, I was | | | | themselves. Don't take one doctor's word on having to |
| only able to open my mouth the width of one finger. | | | | live in a certain way. And definitely do not assume that |
| My daily salads and raw vegetables had been | | | | whatever you are feeling is nothing more than living |
| replaced with soup and applesauce. Plus, my | | | | today's stressful lifestyle. |
| power-walking had been reduced to a hobble. Moving | | | | Look for answers, with the internet available in 99% of |
| most of my body was excruciating. I'm sure I was not | | | | households, you don't even have to leave the comfort |
| a bit of fun during this period. | | | | of your home to do something proactive for yourself! |
| At that point, I took my x-ray and told my physical | | | | Another point, I've also made two good friends through |
| medicine doctor that I wanted to see a rheumatologist. | | | | support sites. Even though my husband is my lifeline |
| He wasn't happy, but agreed. | | | | and love, he cannot possibly relate to my bad/off days |
| Within 3 weeks, I met with my new medical miracle | | | | the way a fellow RA patient can. Even though we've |
| worker. He took one look at me (this is why you go to | | | | never met face-to-face, these ladies and I share a |
| a specialist) and said he knew I had RA. This was | | | | bond that helps. |
| actually a relief! | | | | With a little perserverance there are ways to improve |
| Finally, I knew the last 5 years weren't just exhaustion | | | | many of life's less positive situations, get out there and |
| from working 60+ hours a week. This wonderful man | | | | reach for the answers. |
| and his physician's assistant worked long and hard for | | | | |