my life since Rheumatoid Arthritis

By Anu Monday, May 26, 2008

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I was diagnosed with RA almost five years ago, when I was just short of 23. It was a sudden onset - there was swelling and pain in my fingers, wrists, toes and ankles at the end of a tiring day at a religious ceremony. I put it down to all the heavy lifiting and running around I had done. But when the swelling and pain did not go away even after two days, but kept getting worse, I saw a doctor. He took one look at my hands and feet and suspected RA which a blood test confirmed.

I had no idea that it can get so criplling when the diagnosis came, I was just happy that it was not rheumatic fever as I had feared and with which I had seen a cousin suffer and was happy I did not have to go through painful peniciline injections every fortnight!! Now I know what I was saddled with!

Since then I have seen my life just stop being what it was - I can no longer ride my bike, had to quit my job, struggle to walk because of a bad right knee joint, can no longer play the 'veena' which I used to love to do, have lost effective use of my left arm, both wrists and elbows! But, I am certainly glad that I do have limbs though, however limited their use and however painful they are! :)

I tried alternative therapies like ayurveda (the traditional Indian system of medicine) and homeopathy, but my condition has steadily worsened. But, I have seen at least one person who has made a complete recovery from RA because of ayurveda, but I don't know why it did not work for me.

I am here because I saw so many people share their problems so frankly and I hope that I can get emotional help and useful tips and maybe be of some use to everyone here myself too.

What to expect when taking injectible methotrexate?

Comments (5) | Add comment

Hollybgroovin, Health Guide

5/26/08 3:49pm

I am sorry to hear of your diagnosis and what trouble you have had because of your rheumatoid arthrtitis. Please know you are not alone in this and that we are all here to support you whenever and however you may need it. I too started having the sever pain when I was around 23 years of age. I know am 28 and know that I have had it for over 14 years. My former life stopped as well. I had to quit work as my rheumatologist told me that if I continued to work I would be in a wheelchair before my 27th birthday, but I am not quite there yet. I was going to school for court reporting at the time of my diagnosis and had to drop out a couple months shy of my bachelor degree because of the severe damage I had in my hands. It is so tough sometimes living with this disease. But there are many different ways people cope. I have included a link for you to one of my blogs that I think might help, even if only a little bit. Here it is:

http://www.healthcentral.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/c/9937/26229/why-me

I think the one thing that has helped me more than anything was finding this site and listening to people who have felt the exact same way I have. There is so much comfort in knowing you are not alone, even when you feel like you are. There is hope. I know that sounds sooo cheesy, but if you don't have hope when you live with disease, then you don't have much left. I tell everyone I talk to that I firmly believe that only the strong ones are hit with this disease. We are the ones who can handle it and survive. We are the ones who can learn to live well. It will never be easy, but it is worth it. Please know that we are here for you whenever you need us. You can vent, ask questions, or just cry out words when you need to. Good luck, and best wishes!

SherOnTheLake

8/ 6/08 6:32pm

First of all, Anu my heart feels heavy for you, realizing the pain and restrictions you've had to tolerate for these past five years. When I read how devastating RA can be for some people from reading their posts, I have heartfelt sympathy. I am newly diagnosed.

My family doc tells me I have an accelerated RF reading*36?? But, even though I have pain, stiffness and many of the other awful afflictions associated with this disease, I'm not, as of yet, in the kind of bitter pain you or many others apparently are. I don't know how well I'd handle that extreme degree of pain. You're my hero's.

I do would wish however, that I could carry the load of seriously afflicted RA sufferers for a full 24 to 48 hour day so as to to give you folks a break, a little ray of sunshine and some much needed mercy. But, of course, it's rather like "I'd love to change the world but I don't know what to do."

I'm glad to hear you've had a break through and are once again able to walk. Peace.

Anu, I've found it interesting that we have approximately eight Rheumatologists in our area and all of them are natives from India. I will be seeing A Dr. Kayman Kamali soon.

I wonder why anyone would choose to be educated in this field considering only one percent! of the population has this disease? I guess it's enough for these doctors to remain busy.

Anyway, I wish for you more good days ahead.

Anu

8/ 7/08 12:44am

Hi Sher!

Thank you so much for your kind words! And you have no idea how many times I've cried and wished for just one pain free day! Just your wish of giving us all a day's break is enough to cheer me up! But, I have also learnt a lot about myself, people around me, how strong and how weak I can be, and most importantly, empathy because of my pain - so, I guess it is not all bad

And, I did not know that there are so many rheumatologists from India in Texas, incidentally my sister is studying in Texas at UT Arlington. And, like you, I have wondered why people choose to study rheumatology too, but my reason has been - why will people voluntarily choose to see so many people in so much pain everyday?! How do the docs handle it??!! 1% of the world's population is huge in terms of numbers! And, I'd like to believe that they are in this field because of the challenge it offers - it isn't easy to treat this or many other auto immune diseases, and to genuinely alleviate peoples' suffering.

SherOnTheLake

8/19/08 3:12pm

Anu, my apologies for missing your message directed back to me for so long. Somehow I did just that ...until now.

I am faring so much better than you are at this stage of my disease. I barely feel worthy to share words with you about our RA. Yes, Anu, I do have stiffness and pain but as of now, it is much more tolerable than yours. This is just the strangest disease for me to understand; how can I hold myself up by a cane for one, two, three days and feel so completely 'out-of-it', then wake up a few days later feeling rejuvenated and move with a fair amount of ease? These are questions I will have to ask the new Rheumy. I dread the hassle and expense of the tests, MRI's, etc. I'd told my husband maybe I should just forego it all, deal with this thing until it grows unbearable; but, my family insists I keep my appt.!

So it seems I shall. *25th.

Anyway, I do hope you are able to get the best of care available. I'm saddened by your load. *I'll continue to think of you; a kind-hearted, intelligent young woman that I have the pleasure to correspond with in a land so far away from my own.

P.S. Oh, one last thing, Anu. I have been having my 'Plavix' (heart)meds mailed to me (at 1/3 the cost) from India for nearly two years now. I haven't realized any problems ever with my orders, but what are your thoughts on the safety of my continuing to do so? Since you live there you may know more than I. Thanks for any news. ~s.

joh

2/ 3/10 9:38am

Anu, thanks for good news. i am RA positive since from past 2005, yes its 5 years gone. my case is similar to yours. guide me what ever you can. I want to get rid off from pain.

my life since Rheumatoid Arthritis

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