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...
i know, i know. there's probably still damage happening. i tell people that all the time. but i'm surviving. i barely even take advil.
i have a pretty high tolerance for this kind of pain. i've had numerous car accidents with numerous back injuries. i suffered from horrible menstrual cramps from the age of 16 until the age of 32, when i finally convinced a doctor to perform a surgery that stopped my period. i could go on, but you know. i do pretty well with pain.
my hip is the major problem, but i'm surviving. i've been trying to do some stretches for my low back and hips that i've learned through yoga. my fatigue isn't horrible - cat naps in the afternoon are making a big difference. i survived a busy week, where i worked every day (okay, thursday was only 4 hours) and went out for things after work tuesday, wednesday, and thursday. i cleaned the house on saturday by myself, did three loads of laundry alone, and made the bed. i felt 'normal'. painful, but normal.
i know i should be taking medications. i know i should go find a new rheumatologist and get stuff taken care of. but between feeling as 'normal' as i do and the opportunity to get tattooed and everything, i feel pretty good medication free. well, RA-medication free. i'm still on my other prescribed medication.
i have a pretty high tolerance for this kind of pain. i've had numerous car accidents with numerous back injuries. i suffered from horrible menstrual cramps from the age of 16 until the age of 32, when i finally convinced a doctor to perform a surgery that stopped my period. i could go on, but you know. i do pretty well with pain.
my hip is the major problem, but i'm surviving. i've been trying to do some stretches for my low back and hips that i've learned through yoga. my fatigue isn't horrible - cat naps in the afternoon are making a big difference. i survived a busy week, where i worked every day (okay, thursday was only 4 hours) and went out for things after work tuesday, wednesday, and thursday. i cleaned the house on saturday by myself, did three loads of laundry alone, and made the bed. i felt 'normal'. painful, but normal.
i know i should be taking medications. i know i should go find a new rheumatologist and get stuff taken care of. but between feeling as 'normal' as i do and the opportunity to get tattooed and everything, i feel pretty good medication free. well, RA-medication free. i'm still on my other prescribed medication.
Been holding steady for most part. Still some bad days here & there.
I get what your saying. Although one day off steroids & I'm in tears.
I can also feel my body fighting the aggravating fog & exhaustion.
My concerns are how quick RA goes bonkers which leaves a game of catch up attempting to bring it under control.
I've learned how quickly damage can occur that's another concern.
Actually surprised me. My feet changed in such a short time frame.
It's such an unpredictable disease & we are unsure of what's going on in our bodies.
Like other diseases it may be silently causing problems.
These are my thoughts & concerns.
I'm scared of starting new meds & did not like the reaction of past meds. I'd love to wing it but the fear remains.
My nieces mother cannot take the preventative medications. Plaquenil Is the only one allowed.
Little by little she's having joint replacements & surgeries. She'll hold steady a while & then something starts. She's concerned about her organs. Can't blame her.
Yet I totally understand what your saying .
Sammy
When are you posting pics of the new ink?
some pics may be in my profile, i always have trouble uploading them.
Depot
I hope to go off my mtx slowly over the next year... a dream to look forward to.
i'm kind of operating under the guideline that if anything gets worse, or if something new crops up, i will call the rheumy for an appointment. i guess as long as i'm 'surviving' and kind of level, i'm going to go ahead with the plan.
let your activities be your guide. If you are working, going to school, taking care of things at home, and so forth, and still upright, then it speaks for itself :) - i am glad you are practicing acts of defiance :) - you have a lot of options, having more options than less options is always good :)
we should probably start a practice acts of RA defiance and all lists things we are doing or going to do that are outside the parameters of our collective 10, 423 practitioners standard of care :)
Depot