Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...
Hi. I don't have an RA dx yet, but I've had chronic pain in my left foot for 17 months. I was finally dxd by MRI with a rare condition (Regional Migratory Osteoporosis - no relation to systemic osteoporosis in that the bones do eventually remineralize) in 3 bones in that foot last May, but my course is not typical. It usually occurs in middle-aged, overweight men or 3rd trimester pregnant women. I'm a 61-year-old woman. It is usually self-limited in (depending on what site you read) anywhere from 3-9 months up to 9 months to 2 years. But I had another MRI last week. The RMO moved out of 2 bones of the 3 bones and into 2 others. It also showed changes that prompted my foot doctor to refer me to a rheumy for consultation for RA.
I had a paternal uncle with severe, crippling RA, the most positive, upbeat person you ever wanted to meet. I also had a maternal aunt with moderate to severe RA who was not always pleasant (I'm being nice here), and could be downright mean. My folks always excused it due to her chronic pain. I always said if I ever had chronic pain, I would never be like that aunt.
But here I am after 17 months of chronic pain. I am typically a very upbeat, positive and happy person (even though I've treated medically for clinical depression since 1992), and I have struggled greatly this winter to maintain that. Last night, when I read about RA online, I broke down and cried and cried. My hubby held me while I was telling him, "I don't WANT RA!"
I think the biggest problem is the commercials for RA meds on TV with all their side effects. My Dad is a lymphoma survivor. I definitely don't want to take an RA med that could cause lymphoma!
I finished a health coaching class last summer and am a board-certified health coach (holistic), but cannot stand long enough to do workshops (which is the primary way to find clients).
I am amazed how many folks on this forum talk about working, because if I so much as walked from a parking lot into a place of work one or two days, I'd be laid up for at least 2 days, barely able to walk at all. My husband has been grocery shopping for the last 3 months because I can't walk through Kroger and carry the groceries in without my foot swelling and getting so painful I have to have it elevated for 2 days. I applied for disability recently (before the 2nd MRI last week).
Sorry to have gone on so long. Perhaps I should have typed this in My Journal... but I feel like a mess and just needed to get it out. Thanks for hearing me.
I had a paternal uncle with severe, crippling RA, the most positive, upbeat person you ever wanted to meet. I also had a maternal aunt with moderate to severe RA who was not always pleasant (I'm being nice here), and could be downright mean. My folks always excused it due to her chronic pain. I always said if I ever had chronic pain, I would never be like that aunt.
But here I am after 17 months of chronic pain. I am typically a very upbeat, positive and happy person (even though I've treated medically for clinical depression since 1992), and I have struggled greatly this winter to maintain that. Last night, when I read about RA online, I broke down and cried and cried. My hubby held me while I was telling him, "I don't WANT RA!"
I think the biggest problem is the commercials for RA meds on TV with all their side effects. My Dad is a lymphoma survivor. I definitely don't want to take an RA med that could cause lymphoma!
I finished a health coaching class last summer and am a board-certified health coach (holistic), but cannot stand long enough to do workshops (which is the primary way to find clients).
I am amazed how many folks on this forum talk about working, because if I so much as walked from a parking lot into a place of work one or two days, I'd be laid up for at least 2 days, barely able to walk at all. My husband has been grocery shopping for the last 3 months because I can't walk through Kroger and carry the groceries in without my foot swelling and getting so painful I have to have it elevated for 2 days. I applied for disability recently (before the 2nd MRI last week).
Sorry to have gone on so long. Perhaps I should have typed this in My Journal... but I feel like a mess and just needed to get it out. Thanks for hearing me.
And I want to thank you all again and again. I truly feel like a new person since last night. I really wanted to find a support group that wasn't a pity party because that's no fun. I feel like I've found a love fest, and that's always fun! Then again, I'm an old hippie... LOL!
Glad you found something to help! Really, that is what pain meds are for. I take a pain pill everyday. Welcome to this wonderful group!
Another "Lynne"
I'm late to the party as always but wanted to say hello.
I'm glad you found us. This board really does have some amazing people. Every age, every stage all walks of life from around the world. Its a nice little corner of the interwebz.
Autoimmune is an enigma wrapped in a mystery & science is still trying to figure it all out. Definitely more questions than answers & that's another great thing about this board. Keeps me from feeling like my experiences aren't completely nuts. There's a lot of strength & wisdom to be found here with some humor thrown in to help lighten up the notsogreat days.
Glad you got your pain levels down today. Sometimes caffeine does the trick. Its a process of trial & error to find what works best for you. Be careful in that snow & ice.
Take care,
Emerald
Emerald, while the caffeine definitely helped, I overdid it with two cups. I've only had two cups in the last two years. Had quit it and switched to herbal teas. Two cups yesterday ended up making me nauseous and sweaty, but of course that eventually calmed down. So next time I have a flare, I won't be so afraid to take Ultram during the day and I'll try just a cup of caffeinated tea. Trial and error.
I'm going to cut out nightshades for 3 weeks and see if that helps. I love my tomatoes, eggplant and especially peppers, but I can surely go without them if it will help! I don't eat white potatoes anyway, so one less thing to give up. I'll keep you all posted on that front. Wouldn't it be awesome if that simple dietary change did the trick? I can only hope! It's certainly in line with my holistic health beliefs, that food can be our medicine!
Anyway, thanks for the kind welcome!