My RA Life

  "Finding Ways to Cope" When you are first diagnosed with a chronic illness, it is overwhelming. The things you used to do, you can no longer do or you are limited in how you do them. My RA flares usually hit my hands the worse. While I can ache from head to toe it is actually more frustrating when my hands don't work the way they used to. I was the type of woman that did not like to ask for help and I was raised to be independent. Well it is hard to be independent when in some of my worse flares, I cannot even pull my pants up by myself! No joke.  I have found that by replacing items in my household that I normally use that are specially made for people with arthritis or grip limitations, that I can still maintain my independence for the most part. Things like a normal hand held can opener are a no go for me. Or finger nail clippers. Or opening a jar in the kitchen when you want to cook something. If my husband is not at home, then it is frustrating trying to figure how...

I have lost count of how much blood work I have endured since 2019. I have been poked and prodded and it gets old. But today? Well today is an exciting day because with my most recent results, I can actually see the improvements in black and white. Not only do I have to battle RA but years ago I was diagnosed with a fatty liver. I am not morbidly obese but menopausal years have not been good to me.  I have that extra around the middle. When you feel like mud, it is hard to exercise and it also hurts. Who wants to add to the pain? Not me for sure. So though I have been happy with my work with my nutritionist, I was having to also battle my liver becoming toxic last year. My liver enzymes really starting climbing so I was referred to a gastroenterologist. (My husband says he can not keep up with all of my 'ologist!) I had a liver biopsy and have to follow with her every 6 months. I was diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, possibly as a result of methotrexate usage, possi...

 When searching for a great doctor, make sure you find one that searches for the reason WHY you have symptoms and diseases and not just a doctor that will prescribe a pill.  I was blessed to find a doctor many years ago who searched for WHY something was happening. Why am I tired? Why am I sick? She told me one time that nutrition and vitamins were key in managing my health. Most doctors only give you a small lecture about weight management and diet but don’t bother to help you on your journey. She did tell me that during medical school she was only given one class on nutrition. Can you imagine that? Doctors are ingrained in medical school to treat the symptoms. And not to look for the root cause. My family genetics are obesity and diabetes. From both sides. I did not want to live my life by those expectations so I started searching years ago for the cause. Like the real cause and not just the fork to mouth cause. What makes some people able to eat anything they want and not g...

 In 2020 a young woman who was a singer and songwriter, who went by the name Nightbirde, appeared on America's Got Talent. While she was a beautiful, talented and brave woman, what she said is what won the hearts of millions of people around the world. Faced with very little chance to live with her cancer diagnosis, a husband that left her during her sickness, she was still noted to be so optimistic. Her response was this: "You can't wait until life isn't hard anymore before you decide to be happy." Wow! Just wow. When I heard that, it struck a cord within me. I am a cancer survivor but I was one of the "lucky ones". In 2000 my papsmear came back abnormal. Within 6 months I had a partial hysterectomy and when pathology returned, it was cancer. But I had clear margins. I did not have to go through the horrendous treatment with chemotherapy. I did however have to be followed closely for 5 years and I still have to be careful not to miss my yearly exam. Can...

 Medications....pills, injections, infusions, and that God-awful prednisone.  You will find if you keep up with me that I am not an advocate for prednisone.  That seems to be the fix all from doctors when you have a chronic illness. The immediate side effects are great. You feel better and the inflammation gets under control. The long term side effects are devastating. My Momma who raised me was actually my step mom and had Lupus. I watched her doctor give her large doses of prednisone years ago and it nearly killed her, crippling her to her bed. I never want to use Prednisone long term, but sometimes it is necessary to keep moving. I call it the necessary evil until I can find a way to fight out of this disease. At the end of 2020, I was feeling pretty good. Though I had the classic joint stiffness in the early morning it was manageable. I was able to work the stable, groom my horse, care for my other animals and clean house again as well as work my two jobs. (I am remin...