sharing experiences with other RA sufferers out there
SHARED by mjc0514 on July 22, 2008 - 10:56am
Hello, my name is Mary. I am 59 and have had RA since I was in my early 30s. I do enjoy listening to other patients out there whom share the same dibiliating disease,and getting their stories and inputs on treatments. I am glad I stumbled upon this website, I think its a great place to share information and have someone out there to listen when you want to talk. I look forward to sharing and helping others if I can.
Comments
Mary,
Welcome to EmpowHer! I think you will find others who can share, as well as listen, to personal stories related to RA. I found a few recent discussions from some women who shared their experiences about rheumatoid arthritis, as well as a few interesting articles related to treatment options:
Forty and Beyond are the Best Years of Your Life!
Arthritis Advocate
Meditation and Yoga: Helping Genes
Drug Combo Improves Remission of RA
Since you have been living with this debilitating disease for 25+ years, what successes have you found with using different coping strategies and treatments? What has been the most difficult part of this disease for you, throughout the years?
Thank you Alison for sending me some links related to arthritis. To answer your question, for many years I suffered, tried many drug combinations and a few surgeries,with not much sucess until 4 years ago, my rheumatologist said we needed to get more aggressive. He began remicade infusions every six weeks, with methotrexate,arava, and a anti inflammatory,I am currently under the same treatment and I am doing much better than I was before,except that my ankles have been damaged and I will be receiving ankle fusions. The hardest part of the disease is, years ago I was in constant daily pain, when my children were younger. It made everything I did difficult.I do wish many years ago these drugs had come around, and so many people like myself wouldnt have had to suffer so much. What brought you to this website? I would like to hear your experiences as well.
I was diagnosed with R.A. in 1990, as well as lupus. I started running about 7 years ago, or so, and ran - yep, ran - my first half marathon 4 years ago (I actually trained for the full marathon, but fractured the 5th metatarsal and ankle on my right foot). Running is keeping my joints healthy. I follow the Galloway run/walk method to stay injury free and it works.
You make me feel like one of the "lucky ones" because I've been able to shed my medication (unless I have a lupus flare), don't have to face bone fusions and am fortunate to not be in the constant pain that I used to be. I get pain in my hands, but I'm also an IT professional and work on my computer for a living. Some of the pain is from arthritis flares, yikes does that hurt!
Wishing you well.
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