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...
Over the past two years I have come to terms with how RA has changed my life. I accept the pain, fatigue and the swelling, taking toxic drugs and the meds rollercoaster, making plans ahead with the proviso "if I feel up to it", only occasionally having a glass of wine, no longer wearing stylish shoes and using a cane when needs be.
However, I am finding it difficult to accept the side issues of RA and an immune system gone haywire. This Winter I have had two chest infections and now an Upper Respiratory infection. My Rheumy rang yesterday, extremely concerned, as my inflammation markers (from monthly blood test) were so high He said it must be a really severe infection. Maybe, next year, I will hibernate like a grizzly bear and sleep until Summer.
Whenever, I have an X-Ray or Scan, something else rears its ugly head so I now see four new specialists. Cataract surgery is now in October, rather than the 5-6 years away that it was early last year. One of the tests my Rheumy had done in the work-up for Enbrel has thrown up another problem to be treated. Life is never dull around here.
Over the past two years I have come to terms with how RA has changed my life. I accept the pain, fatigue and the swelling, taking toxic drugs and the meds rollercoaster, making plans ahead with the proviso "if I feel up to it", only occasionally having a glass of wine, no longer wearing stylish shoes and using a cane when needs be.
However, I am finding it difficult to accept the side issues of RA and an immune system gone haywire. This Winter I have had two chest infections and now an Upper Respiratory infection. My Rheumy rang yesterday, extremely concerned, as my inflammation markers (from monthly blood test) were so high He said it must be a really severe infection. Maybe, next year, I will hibernate like a grizzly bear and sleep until Summer.
Whenever, I have an X-Ray or Scan, something else rears its ugly head so I now see four new specialists. Cataract surgery is now in October, rather than the 5-6 years away that it was early last year. One of the tests my Rheumy had done in the work-up for Enbrel has thrown up another problem to be treated. Life is never dull around here.
Over the past two years I have come to terms with how RA has changed my life. I accept the pain, fatigue and the swelling, taking toxic drugs and the meds rollercoaster, making plans ahead with the proviso "if I feel up to it", only occasionally having a glass of wine, no longer wearing stylish shoes and using a cane when needs be.
However, I am finding it difficult to accept the side issues of RA and an immune system gone haywire. This Winter I have had two chest infections and now an Upper Respiratory infection. My Rheumy rang yesterday, extremely concerned, as my inflammation markers (from monthly blood test) were so high He said it must be a really severe infection. Maybe, next year, I will hibernate like a grizzly bear and sleep until Summer.
Whenever, I have an X-Ray or Scan, something else rears its ugly head so I now see four new specialists. Cataract surgery is now in October, rather than the 5-6 years away that it was early last year. One of the tests my Rheumy had done in the work-up for Enbrel has thrown up another problem to be treated. Life is never dull around here.
Over the past two years I have come to terms with how RA has changed my life. I accept the pain, fatigue and the swelling, taking toxic drugs and the meds rollercoaster, making plans ahead with the proviso "if I feel up to it", only occasionally having a glass of wine, no longer wearing stylish shoes and using a cane when needs be.
However, I am finding it difficult to accept the side issues of RA and an immune system gone haywire. This Winter I have had two chest infections and now an Upper Respiratory infection. My Rheumy rang yesterday, extremely concerned, as my inflammation markers (from monthly blood test) were so high He said it must be a really severe infection. Maybe, next year, I will hibernate like a grizzly bear and sleep until Summer.
Whenever, I have an X-Ray or Scan, something else rears its ugly head so I now see four new specialists. Cataract surgery is now in October, rather than the 5-6 years away that it was early last year. One of the tests my Rheumy had done in the work-up for Enbrel has thrown up another problem to be treated. Life is never dull around here.
Over the past two years I have come to terms with how RA has changed my life. I accept the pain, fatigue and the swelling, taking toxic drugs and the meds rollercoaster, making plans ahead with the proviso "if I feel up to it", only occasionally having a glass of wine, no longer wearing stylish shoes and using a cane when needs be.
However, I am finding it difficult to accept the side issues of RA and an immune system gone haywire. This Winter I have had two chest infections and now an Upper Respiratory infection. My Rheumy rang yesterday, extremely concerned, as my inflammation markers (from monthly blood test) were so high He said it must be a really severe infection. Maybe, next year, I will hibernate like a grizzly bear and sleep until Summer.
Whenever, I have an X-Ray or Scan, something else rears its ugly head so I now see four new specialists. Cataract surgery is now in October, rather than the 5-6 years away that it was early last year. One of the tests my Rheumy had done in the work-up for Enbrel has thrown up another problem to be treated. Life is never dull around here.
Over the past two years I have come to terms with how RA has changed my life. I accept the pain, fatigue and the swelling, taking toxic drugs and the meds rollercoaster, making plans ahead with the proviso "if I feel up to it", only occasionally having a glass of wine, no longer wearing stylish shoes and using a cane when needs be.
However, I am finding it difficult to accept the side issues of RA and an immune system gone haywire. This Winter I have had two chest infections and now an Upper Respiratory infection. My Rheumy rang yesterday, extremely concerned, as my inflammation markers (from monthly blood test) were so high He said it must be a really severe infection. Maybe, next year, I will hibernate like a grizzly bear and sleep until Summer.
Whenever, I have an X-Ray or Scan, something else rears its ugly head so I now see four new specialists. Cataract surgery is now in October, rather than the 5-6 years away that it was early last year. One of the tests my Rheumy had done in the work-up for Enbrel has thrown up another problem to be treated. Life is never dull around here.
However, I am finding it difficult to accept the side issues of RA and an immune system gone haywire. This Winter I have had two chest infections and now an Upper Respiratory infection. My Rheumy rang yesterday, extremely concerned, as my inflammation markers (from monthly blood test) were so high He said it must be a really severe infection. Maybe, next year, I will hibernate like a grizzly bear and sleep until Summer.
Whenever, I have an X-Ray or Scan, something else rears its ugly head so I now see four new specialists. Cataract surgery is now in October, rather than the 5-6 years away that it was early last year. One of the tests my Rheumy had done in the work-up for Enbrel has thrown up another problem to be treated. Life is never dull around here.
Over the past two years I have come to terms with how RA has changed my life. I accept the pain, fatigue and the swelling, taking toxic drugs and the meds rollercoaster, making plans ahead with the proviso "if I feel up to it", only occasionally having a glass of wine, no longer wearing stylish shoes and using a cane when needs be.
However, I am finding it difficult to accept the side issues of RA and an immune system gone haywire. This Winter I have had two chest infections and now an Upper Respiratory infection. My Rheumy rang yesterday, extremely concerned, as my inflammation markers (from monthly blood test) were so high He said it must be a really severe infection. Maybe, next year, I will hibernate like a grizzly bear and sleep until Summer.
Whenever, I have an X-Ray or Scan, something else rears its ugly head so I now see four new specialists. Cataract surgery is now in October, rather than the 5-6 years away that it was early last year. One of the tests my Rheumy had done in the work-up for Enbrel has thrown up another problem to be treated. Life is never dull around here.
Over the past two years I have come to terms with how RA has changed my life. I accept the pain, fatigue and the swelling, taking toxic drugs and the meds rollercoaster, making plans ahead with the proviso "if I feel up to it", only occasionally having a glass of wine, no longer wearing stylish shoes and using a cane when needs be.
However, I am finding it difficult to accept the side issues of RA and an immune system gone haywire. This Winter I have had two chest infections and now an Upper Respiratory infection. My Rheumy rang yesterday, extremely concerned, as my inflammation markers (from monthly blood test) were so high He said it must be a really severe infection. Maybe, next year, I will hibernate like a grizzly bear and sleep until Summer.
Whenever, I have an X-Ray or Scan, something else rears its ugly head so I now see four new specialists. Cataract surgery is now in October, rather than the 5-6 years away that it was early last year. One of the tests my Rheumy had done in the work-up for Enbrel has thrown up another problem to be treated. Life is never dull around here.
Over the past two years I have come to terms with how RA has changed my life. I accept the pain, fatigue and the swelling, taking toxic drugs and the meds rollercoaster, making plans ahead with the proviso "if I feel up to it", only occasionally having a glass of wine, no longer wearing stylish shoes and using a cane when needs be.
However, I am finding it difficult to accept the side issues of RA and an immune system gone haywire. This Winter I have had two chest infections and now an Upper Respiratory infection. My Rheumy rang yesterday, extremely concerned, as my inflammation markers (from monthly blood test) were so high He said it must be a really severe infection. Maybe, next year, I will hibernate like a grizzly bear and sleep until Summer.
Whenever, I have an X-Ray or Scan, something else rears its ugly head so I now see four new specialists. Cataract surgery is now in October, rather than the 5-6 years away that it was early last year. One of the tests my Rheumy had done in the work-up for Enbrel has thrown up another problem to be treated. Life is never dull around here.
Over the past two years I have come to terms with how RA has changed my life. I accept the pain, fatigue and the swelling, taking toxic drugs and the meds rollercoaster, making plans ahead with the proviso "if I feel up to it", only occasionally having a glass of wine, no longer wearing stylish shoes and using a cane when needs be.
However, I am finding it difficult to accept the side issues of RA and an immune system gone haywire. This Winter I have had two chest infections and now an Upper Respiratory infection. My Rheumy rang yesterday, extremely concerned, as my inflammation markers (from monthly blood test) were so high He said it must be a really severe infection. Maybe, next year, I will hibernate like a grizzly bear and sleep until Summer.
Whenever, I have an X-Ray or Scan, something else rears its ugly head so I now see four new specialists. Cataract surgery is now in October, rather than the 5-6 years away that it was early last year. One of the tests my Rheumy had done in the work-up for Enbrel has thrown up another problem to be treated. Life is never dull around here.
Over the past two years I have come to terms with how RA has changed my life. I accept the pain, fatigue and the swelling, taking toxic drugs and the meds rollercoaster, making plans ahead with the proviso "if I feel up to it", only occasionally having a glass of wine, no longer wearing stylish shoes and using a cane when needs be.
However, I am finding it difficult to accept the side issues of RA and an immune system gone haywire. This Winter I have had two chest infections and now an Upper Respiratory infection. My Rheumy rang yesterday, extremely concerned, as my inflammation markers (from monthly blood test) were so high He said it must be a really severe infection. Maybe, next year, I will hibernate like a grizzly bear and sleep until Summer.
Whenever, I have an X-Ray or Scan, something else rears its ugly head so I now see four new specialists. Cataract surgery is now in October, rather than the 5-6 years away that it was early last year. One of the tests my Rheumy had done in the work-up for Enbrel has thrown up another problem to be treated. Life is never dull around here.
You have not mentioned heart issues or high blood pressure either. My blood pressure has gone up in the last 2 years, despite having no family history, no risk factors and low blood pressure my whole life, even through 4 pregnancies. My doc figures is has to be the RA. I've been a vegetarian my whole life, and exercise daily. I have heard heart is the big killer of people with RA. Not to bring anyone down.
Ros
Sending you many wishes and prayers that things feel better soon. This is part of that rollercoaster too. Just when you adapt to the new way of life, RA throws you an X factor just to make it more challenging.
Hoping your doctors find the answers for you and glad to see you posted so we can give you support while you wait. Hugs. E.
Prayers and Hugs for you from Texas, I don't have RA but so can relate to the frustration of having a disease that changes our lives and about the time we think things settle down something else sticks it's nasy head out.. We are all here for you, and hope you feel better soon!
Hugs from Texas,
Annette
You deserve a break, sweet lady! I certainly hope you get every thing squared away and you don't have to see any new docs for awhile. Having RA and taking the drugs and taking care of all the other side issues is a full-time job, it seems! Hope things settle down for you soon!
MT