Tag: rdblog

Day 5: RA/RD Blog: Buddy

RAFibroOAEtc., Uncategorized

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Buddy – Who’s your RD buddy?

I don’t have a pet or object, blanket, etc. that helps me, perse. What I do have is a Rheumatoid Disease group that I am a part of. This group is very interactive and supportive. There are people in it from all over the globe. For it to be so large, it seems tightly knit. It has it shares of woes, but those fires are usually extinguished by the administrators of the group. GREAT ADMINS is what keeps a group GOOD.

I found this group upon the return of RD, when it came out of remission. The Arthritis Foundation and Creaky Joints kept me informed. But, it was the community of Patients Like Me and RD Online group that is more like a buddy. I also go there not only when I am at my lows, but also at my highs and to uplift, support, others. It’s a give and take, an ebb and flow of the group that keeps me going.

~Nikki

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DAY 4: RA/RD: Community

FROM MY SPIRIT, RAFibroOAEtc., Uncategorized

 

Community – Our community is often hard on each other, even going as far as accusing others of not having RA when they can physically do more than others. How can we educate our own community on RA and how it affects each one of us differently?

I find the ones who seem to do the most accusing are the ones that are:

  1. Uneducated about Rheumatoid Disease and only know the basics, if that
  2. Have not learn to accept the spectrum of which they fall on as it relates to RD

We can educate our own community by blogging and joining RD groups and posting informative information as it relates to RD and from credible sites. We have to stick together and celebrate those who don’t have it as bad as one of us may have it. Also, there is someone that has it worst than you do and one must be grateful. We must learn to find the silver lining in our diagnoses. Sometimes, that means just being glad that we are still alive and here with our loved ones.

~Nikki

 

 

Day 3: RA/RD Blog: Disability

FROM MY SPIRIT, RAFibroOAEtc., Uncategorized

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Discuss your feelings about our position within the disabled community with variable disability.  How do you deal with limitations that are present some days and not others?

It’s a strange thing. One moment you’re seemingly okay and the next you’re in pain. You never know when you’re going to have a good day, a good few hours, or when pain and brain fog is going to kick in. You don’t know what part of your body is going to hurt and for how long. It’s enough to drive some mad, to depression, to anxiety, to God. 🙂

When I perceive I am going to have a good day or a good few hours, I start to do things I normally don’t do and sometimes I do them in a hurry just in case something swells or starts to hurt. A few weeks ago, I woke up feeling normal. I mean after I moved around, I still felt normal. I don’t know how to describe it, except feeling like I felt before RD. I didn’t know how long it would last so I started some intense cleaning of the kitchen, the downstairs bathroom and I made it to the living/den area before I began to lose stamina.

I deal with it as it comes. I no longer get angry. I do however, get upset sometimes. Especially, when it’s really something I want or need to do. I have to put it off or cancel. It’s hard to make plans, but I am a firm believer in making plans and following through. When I can’t follow through is when I am the most disappointed.

We also have to deal with people who may see us doing “regular things” or enjoying the life we have and question if we are really disabled. Disabled people have a right to enjoy their life, family, take vacations, shop, and do whatever they can on the level they can, when they can. You have no idea the things people go through in 24 hours.

~Nikki

Day 1: RA/RD BLOG WEEK: DEALING

FROM MY SPIRIT, RAFibroOAEtc., Uncategorized

Dealing – How do other diagnoses impact your RD and its treatment?

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I was on my second and current Rheumatologist when I found out my previous Rheumy had diagnosed me with fibromyalgia. Imagine my surprise! I developed diabetes AFTER my diagnosis of the RETURN of Rheumatoid Arthritis DISEASE. I was first diagnosed at 8 years old and it went into remission after middle school and returned when I was 35. In the process of a surgery for Halladux Rigidus (Nodule develops on the big toe joint and causes PAIN, erosion, etc.) they doc said “Oh I removed the build up and I could see the arthritis and OSTEOARTHRITIS.” I also found out this year I have osteoarthritis in the joints of my fingers.

How do these things impact my RD? The fibromyalgia and RD was hard to differentiate in the beginning. I would have muscle pain and joint pain and I didn’t know if I had muscle pain because of the joint pain or if I had joint pain because of the muscle pain. It turns out that fibromyalgia, or any other thing I have can cause my RD to flare or cause me pain. My body is so confused about what is pain, when the pain requires an attack or not, how to receive pain and process pain, it doesn’t know what to do and when to do it.

It has made treatment very challenging to make sure some meds do not interfere with others. Some meds are used for the same thing. Also, when one thing is out of whack, like diabetes, it causes neuropathy and then fibromyalgia can kick in. Also, if I am dealing with anxiety or depression it can cause flares with fibromyalgia and RD. I have had both to flare at the same time and it is like being in a blizzard or a natural disaster of the body.

What makes the difference for me, or how I deal, is to differentiate between fibro and RD and I did that by learning (reading and researching from CREDIBLE sources) about each one. I treat fibro with pain cream, ice packs or hemp oil massage. I use pain medication or steroids for RD pain. I address diabetes by managing it. I address anxiety and depression by seeing a therapist and applying the skills taught to me by him that helps me to cope. I am spiritual and that helps SO MUCH. I meditate. I pray. I take pain meds for joint pains. I take my meds regularly ( I was not doing this at first because I hate pills but now I even take an injection I give myself). I put my CPAP on at night to help me to rest and if I need sleep meds I take them. REST is important in helping to prevent flares, pain and it’s important to rest to recover from flares.

It’s “alot” I know, but it is my life and I believe to approach it from a realistic and faith-based perspective gives me the balance I need to stay afloat.

~Nikki

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In rheumatoid arthritis, the body’s immune system attacks its own tissue, including joints. In severe cases, it attacks internal organs.
Rheumatoid arthritis affects joint linings, causing painful swelling. Over long periods of time, the inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis can cause bone erosion and joint deformity.
While there’s no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, physiotherapy and medication can help slow the disease’s progression. Most cases can be managed with a class of medications called anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDS)