Friday, June 01, 2012
bb3
  • bb3
  • Location: Sacramento, CA, United States
  • Gender: Female
  • Birthday:
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HEALTH INTERESTS:

Rheumatoid Arthritis/Sjogren's Syndrome,  Alternative health remedies,  Yoga/Walking,  Vitamins Organic foods

DRUGS I AM TAKING:

Remicaid infusions every 6 weeks,  Meloxicam,  Sulfazine,  Methotrexate,  Tylenol with codeine

ABOUT ME:

Living with rheumatoid arthritis and sjourn's disease is part of who I am. Although I am limited physically by many activities, I still have a creative mind, a giving heart and am thankful for every breath I take. My family is very supportive and help me cope when I think I cannot. Its been a journey of trying many medications and seeing what works and also knowing my limitations with what I can and cannot do physically. Having a good doctor is key but sometimes I loose my patience with him too when a new pill seems to be the only answer. I have researched and tried alternatives and am open to do what works for me along with my meds. I take many vitamins, do yoga and try to keep a mental note of foods that cause flares. Many foods that have horomones, like chicken and beef cause immediate flares. Organic is best for me. If anyone has any new alternatives to helping arthritis, I am open to listening. The challenge of having a chronic condition has taught me to be more patient, compassionate and thankful for all I can do.

I started experiencing pain in my joints after having my daughter at age 36. I would get up to run to the bathroom at night and find my legs stiff and unable to function properly. Then my right arm started being in pain all the time and I thought it was from holding my infant daughter and nursing her. I kept feeling like I had pulled joints out and this occurred over and over again in the next 2 years. I would walk around all stiff from my shoulder, my neck, my knee or whatever happened to be in pain that day. My girlfriend noticed and said I had better go to the doctor because I wasn't even exercising to cause any muscles to be pulled. This was back in 1995. When I finally went in for tests at Kaiser, I was told that I had Lupus and the doctor told me he didn't have the time to explain what it was and to do the research at the Kaiser library. He put me on Plaquinel at the time, Celebrex and high doses of Prednisone. I started going to support groups for Lupus and questioned my health since I did not having failing organs like those in the group. I moved up to northern California and out of Oakland and to northern California. I told my new doctor in the Rheumatory Department that I was skeptical about having Lupus. He retested me and discovered that I did not have Lupus but that I had Rheumatoid Arthritis and Sjogren's Syndrome. He immediately put me on medications for that. By that time I was extremely overweight and had a moon shaped face from the Prednisone. It took me 2 years to get off Prednisone and get my weight down. I have continued to struggle with my chronic condition but I try to stay optimistic and hopeful for new drugs that are being developed. I am open to try alternatives to help me along the way. I know I cannot change the fact that I have this illness but I can accept it and do whatever works for me to make my days easier and I am grateful for this and thankful for the support of my family.

PHOTOS:

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ROLES:

Living With It in Rheumatoid Arthritis

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