oh u r soooo right. it was only 2 days ago i was wondering aloud how come no one comes on Oprah saying i have RA and living with it.
magazines have famous people endorsing or joining forum to ppl talk abt osteoporosis, MS, cancer and yeah, bang on, RLS. how come theere arent anyone out there tryin 2 get a forum together?
kathleen turner was criticised for saying some certain drug was helping her.. i read it a while ago, cant remember. google it, u will get it.
its an irony that she is my favorite actress. :-(
Yeah, I totally understand what you are saying. When I was diagnosed ( a few times now) it wasn't a big deal to anyone except me. I was devestated, although glad to finally understand what was causing me so much pain. But, the comments that I got from others were "well, at least it's not fatal" or " you'll be fine, people continue to work" or "You won't be crippled for years" or my favorite, "Relax, RA won't kill you, it will die with you" That was almost a threat. At least with most cancers, they are curable. It's almost like you are in your own little world struggling on your own to understand the disease. Others don't understand how sever the pain can be or the exhaustion or fatigue. And I am on FaceBook as well and every time I get a PETA request I think what about RA?
I have RA, was diagnosed 9 years ago. No one really understands how the disease has a crippeling effect on not only your physical body, but emotionally as well. It attacks more than your joints! No one wants to wear a big sign saying what disease we have, but it would be nice to have a ribbon or pin that would bring attention to it. (like the pink ribbon for fight against breast cancer). I think that the arthritis foundation could promote this on a larger scale. Maybe include "jingle bells" to bring attention to their walk??
Kathy from Chetek, WI.
Thank you! RA itself may not kill you, but everything I've read says that it tends to shorten your lifespan by a decade (but with the pain, fatigue, and stiffness, it'll FEEL longer). EULAR recently announced that the risk of heart disease in RA patients equals that of diabetics. Many of those new drugs that we're so fortunate to have carry risks of their own, some of which are life threatening. I've recently been told that I have pulmonary hypertension, a rare but serious complication of RA. Good thing RA won't kill me.
Yeah, it may not kill you , but you will feel like you are the walking dead. I almost hate to wake up in the morning to start feeling the pain . So far, I can say that once I go to sleep, I do not wake up in pain. Thank God for that part. I see my Rheumatologist next week and I believe that I will be put on the more stronger drugs. I'm scared, but also excited to hopefully get some of my life back. I have very high expectations. I hope I'm not disappointed.
What caused your Pulmonary Hypertension...side effects from the drugs?
B. Is the answer I hear the most with a quick followup... Do you take advil? Advil works for me and it is gone the next day you should try it...lol You end up walking away shaking your head and they feel like they solved your RA too funny... Funny but true how you don't even want to talk about it with anybody. You realize that no matter what you say most people just do not get it or even remotely understand it.
This article was great thanks for the smile it brought to my face.
This article covers all the "outsiders" views but wouldn't we really like to tell then just how it FEELS. The pain I can cope with but its the CONSTANT FATIGUE that makes me feel as if I am lazy and I don't enjoy the things I used to. I go to the gym, try to get my exercise but the fatigue and Antidepressnt meds keep me with too much weight on which of course isn't good for ANYONE. Its a battle from all sides. Thank's for reminding me that no one ELSE really understands RA
Diane G
Hi Diane. I soooo understand the constant fatigue. I'm so tired all the time. I thought that once you were on the drugs, that it helped with the fatigue. My husband tells me that I need to go to bed earlier, but even when I do, I'm still so tired. And, I have so much work to do around the house that no one else does. If I just go to bed early, our house would fall apart. :>(
I also go to the gym 2-3 days a week, plus try to work out at home. I work 40-50 hrs a week, plus the usual work at home. I also have gained weight that doesn't come off with exercise or diet. Think it's related to RA?
Hi Laura,
I gained a good 15 pounds after I was diagnosed which I think had to do with the fact that my sleeping patterns were completely messed up, i was fatigued beyond belief, and all of that led to my metabolism crashing. the depression didn't help either, for sure. My drugs do help with the fatigue now, but it took a little while, and I would say that, more than pain, the fatigue is what i still deal with more often than not. It's nothing like what it was before my meds really kicked in, but it has been the hardest thing to shake for me.
sara
Sara, you hit the nail on the head with this one! I found your page by mere accident and when I saw this comic-I was like "Whoa-I am so glad I am not the only one who feels this way."
I was diagnosed with JRA when I was 2 years old. I have had 3 hip replacement surgeries and I still don't get sympathy, even from my own family-I can't even tell you how many times they say, "well you should rest more (like I am overdoing life-HELLO), eat better, take more vitamins, go to the gym-or the best one ever.....but you don't look sick!" I was even told by a relative of mine after I showed her my scar from my hip surgery (it's over 12 inches long) she had the nerve to say "well it's better to have a leg then no leg at all." Puh-lease!
I almost feel selfish in a sense, I want my own 'ribbon', my own Lifetime movie or just some darncelebrity to raise awareness. Reese Witherspoons Mom has RA-I would think she would jump at the chance! I can't judge her but it still kicks me in the gut to know that the 1.3 MILLION americans suffering with RA suffer alone. Lupus has Celebrity awareness so why can't RA? I am so darn tired of fighting alone. RA is a serious, chronic, disabiling, debilitating, cripping; depressing disease. We who have RA are amazingly strong people who have more courage then anyone else could hope for. We fight every day in a battle that has no C U R E!
Reese's Mother is involved with the Tennessee chapter (in Nashville I think) but Reese took on Avon's fight for Domestic Abuse against women around the world charity (or something to that effect) so perhaps the Arthritis Foundation didn't have enough money for her to sign on as the RA awareness celeb?
I don't know what the deal is but it's flipping frustrating. I've started writing my own letters to people of influence. Maybe if we all targeted the same people, someone would sign on. Afterall, May is national Arthritis month-although NOT once has any news network in my area, done a story on any of the 100 types of Arthritis in May.
October however, is SPLASHED in pink ribbon heaven. UGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHH 
Here's the link to the video on Betty Witherspoon from the Arthritis Foundations Tennessee chapter incase you haven't seen it; now I don't know about you but after watching it, I feel like RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS is portrayed as a not so serious disease and 16 minutes into the video I wanted to beat my head against the screen.....they went into a LONG clip of Legally Blond and focused more on the career of Reese-NOT RA however the ending of the video was more frustrating then anything!
Recent statistics show that from 1994-2005 Rheumatoid Arthritis has increased by 54% in women!! HOW CAN THIS NOT BE OF GREATER CONCERN to anyone but us?!!? I just don't get it.
I refuse to let this disease "take over my life" either however after 4 major surgeries and 2 more definite ones facing me in the near future (ankle replacement and another hip revision) I am pissed off that more isn't being done. I'm 35-I am in pain everyday, I can't wear the cute high heeled shoes, I no longer walk without a limp-so hiding my disease is no longer a option and dating is a joke. Guys run faster then anything once they see what my RA has done to my body. I lose relationships with friends because they don't get it or they don't believe me when I have to cancel because I don't feel well.
Sara, I apologize but this article really made me realize that we are our only voices and if no one else is going to fight for us....I will have to work harder to get our ribbon, our Lifetime movie and our cure! I included the info on Kathleen Turner as well.
http://www.eventstreams.com/arthritisnational/016ten/
http://www.arthritis.org/chapters/tennessee/news.php?id=123
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=19816
Why are you apologizing? I COMPLETELY AGREE-we need to figure out our own way to become our own celebrities and organize and make our voices heard!!!!!! Why ISN"T it a bigger concern that so many women are stricken with this incurable disease, many of us in the prime of our lives!!!!!! The increase statistic you post is frightening-to me, at least, and I don't want to wait around any more either! One of the reasons that breast cancer is so well known and well funded is because they came together as a community and organized. There is a lot to be learned from them and from the Obama campaign, too. It's time we start to raise our voices and get loud enough that people hear!
Hi Sara,
Apologizing is a form of habit-I don't want to come across as angry or bitter (although in, truth I am). My latest recovery is taking it's toll on me especially knowing in less then a year I will have to do it all over again. I have been out of work for 3 months (barely able to make my mortgage paymenyts), I haven't left my house more then 7 times in these three months (too much ice in the wintertime to risk it) and my friends have once again proven unreliable and are dropping like flies. I feel so alone.
I subscribe to the Arthritis Today magazine and I have written to them on SEVERAL occasions asking why they only put 'older' women on their covers. No response. We are young beautiful women in our primes and in order to get the real message out-why not feature our stories? Our struggles?
I have written to Congress, my state Senators and President Obama hoping....waiting...yearing...to share my story. I only hope that one day soon I get that opportunity.
Much love Sara!
http://www.elements4health.com/rheumatoid-arthritis-is-on-the-rise-among-women.html
I have read all of your postings about RA and the total lack of understanding and sometimes even sympathy on the part of family and friends. I do not have RA; I have its ugly first cousin, psoriatic arthritis, a disease with even less understanding or name recognition. And far fewer people have it so you never run into anyone to talk to about it. But because it shares so many characteristics ( with the fun overlay of back inflammation and spondylitis ), and it uses the same meds for treatment, I have therefore learned alot from RA websites .
Since i was just diagnosed in mid July of this year i am still struggling to get my head around this, as i have always been extremely healthy ( no meds before, even though I am 60) and in great shape ( until now ). But now, in addition to the pain issues and the pharmacopia of meds issue, i cannot believe how unconcerned friends and family have been.
I have kept going to the gym, traveling and been as social as possible, but if i even bring up anything about my situation, they don't want to hear about it. Once you tell them, and they say things like " squeeze a tennis ball, it helped me", they are over hearing anything else - they just want you to be the same old you and no details please. One friend even told me " i don't want to talk about ailments, it makes me feel old". And believe me, knowing how people are, i have only told very few people and very briefly, not belabouring it.
I am flabbergasted by some reactions i have gotten and i can see why those who have with these conditions can just want to isolate themselves, go into their cave and just try to deal with it as best as they can.
When most people get a disease they take meds that have side effects like " May cause muscle Pain", or " Can cause fatigue". They don't have to deal with " Causes Immunosuppression".
This is a terrible disease, chronic, progressive and incurable and the meds are scary , but they just don't want to hear about it.
Thanks for letting me vent, since we psoriatic arthritis people do not have as many outlets and good luck to all!
OMG sara, you have wrote about my thoughts so damn close its unreal!! Yeah the best that we can wish for is like u said, oh, I don`t feel like shit today whooppee! I have just got over a very bad dose of flu, so I have not been able to take my Methotrexate and boy has the pain come back with a vengance! I can hardly walk, my hands won`t work and generally feel like the biggest pile of crap u can imagine. But hey, it won`t kill me Even though my partner has seen how ill I have been he still asks " shall we go to the cinema on Saturday!" for god`s sake, if I can get out of bed on Saturday great, if not I don`t think I will be going anywhere...dya get what I am saying???? because you cant see anything on the outside, is it really there?? Anyway, Ive thought of a good one, I am going to have some cards printed, so every time I get stuck on a chair and it takes 2 people to lift me up in a resteraunt I can just pass the onlookers a card with the words "I have RA please dont judge me have a look on the Internet just to see what sort of pain I have just sufferd getting out of that chair.....
All the best Angie
I LOVE the idea of a card saying, i have RA, look it up! I've had to skip a few shots of enbrel here and there due to being sick with a cold (god it takes FOREVER to get over any kind of little sickness) and I always notice things get worse. Hopefully, you can get back on the meds and feel well enough for the movies...soon if not saturday!
My "friend" called me up the other day (friend is a generous word; we used to dance the night away, both waitressed at a rockin' happening place. I got a bf, which changed our relationship considerably, and when diagnosed with RA? forgettaboutit!!)
Started out normal. Asked me how I was feeling. Usually, I do the, "oh, you know. I'll feel better in an hour or so". But she caught me at a really really REALLY painful moment. (I was pouring milk in my coffee, and my elbow once again attacked me). So, with spilt milk everywhere, I started crying. Sue me.
I told her I felt like shit, My joints were so sore I didnt think I could take it anymore. I mean, I was completely honest.
She says, "yah, I know how you feel. My knee is so sore today".
Silence.
I didn't know what to say. I was speechless. I dont ever want to be one of those people who compete on who's ailments are worse. Ever.
I just hung up. I know. Rude, inconsiderate, immature. Felt damn good tho. I'll letcha know how it goes when (if) she calls me back.
Thanks. I find that people go to one of two extremes. There's the "suck it up, we all got our problems; you think you're special?" group. Then, there's the really, genuinely conserned group, like my mother in law, and my (real, tried and true) bff, Angie. Clipping articles from magazines, emailing me stuff that may be of interest, and (only once!) Taking me to some clairvoyante healer. Seriously. Their hearts are definately in the right place, and I take these people over the first group any day. I know that they can't heal my owies, but they do try to make my life more bearable in little ways. Thankyou guys
I cannot describe how good it feels to hear someone have to deal with the same BS that I have to. My ownMOTHER does that crap to me, along with my sister, HER girlfriend, and my soon-to-be-ex-husband. If I am hurting, even to the point to where i am crying, I have to deal with it in silence, go into my room and not let anyone know, otherwise I am labled as being a "baby" or a "drama-queen" my mom is like, I know Steph, i deal with it every day, I am sore all the time, my arms hurt, blah blah blah, see my Mom is the " I know it ALL, seen it ALL, FELT it ALL, you can't tell me squat because I am the next persaon under God in experience" type - person. My sister and her girlfriend AND my Mom CONSTANTLY are nagging and complaining to me about me being on pain medication (I chose to be on methadone, as i have been on it all, vicodin, morphone, percocet, oxycontin, dilaudid, fentanyl, etc) and methadone works ALL day, one dose, and has the least amount of long-term side effects) but since they put methadone with junkies trying to get off smack, they think I am falling in the same category and I am a drug-addict!!!! Not to mention i get cortisone shots, am on methtrexate, AND prednisone! My ex-husband was always complaining that I was a burden and said that since I was "on pain pills" then he could smoke pot and even be better than me for it, and is even threatening me to use it against me in court, and he SMOKES POT!!! Not to mention drinks until he is sloppily beligerent.... it is as if my life is one big nightmare I cannot wake up from, and no matter what I print out to get them to read to understand, they just DON'T, I'm not even sure they bother to read what I give them, they don't care to know!
The ONLY one who does is my gfrandma, who had to deal with osteoarthritis her whole life, and her father, sister, and 2 cousins have RA, and she had to help take care of them, so she understands first hand, so if I need someone to understand, she is the one, although she does side with my Mom and sister, saying they just don't KNOW.....
which they don't , but like I said, it is not that they don't know, it is that they don't CARE to know...
Sounds like you are dealing with a whole hell of a lot, on top of dealing with RA. Glad to hear that your soon-to-be-ex is soon to be your ex: good riddance if people are going to be that unsupportive and have no compassion. I'm glad that you have your grandmother to go to-we all have to have someone. Good luck and take care of you!
Sara
I don't blame you at all. I feel like I have to hide the fact that I have RA. I'm not looking for sympathy like so many people do, just understanding that this isn't fake. It's a lifelong crippling disease that no one sees. I find myself hiding my hands under the table or stumbling around in shoes that hurt like hell just so nobody sees my now deformed hands and feet. Talk about the ultmate betrayal. My own body! Wow! I stumbled on this site by mistake looking for financial help for medical bills and I guess I didn't realize how much I needed to vent!
I don't blame you at all. I feel like I have to hide the fact that I have RA. I'm not looking for sympathy like so many people do, just understanding that this isn't fake. It's a lifelong crippling disease that no one sees. I find myself hiding my hands under the table or stumbling around in shoes that hurt like hell just so nobody sees my now deformed hands and feet. Talk about the ultmate betrayal. My own body! Wow! I stumbled on this site by mistake looking for financial help for medical bills and I guess I didn't realize how much I needed to vent!
I don't blame you at all. I feel like I have to hide the fact that I have RA. I'm not looking for sympathy like so many people do, just understanding that this isn't fake. It's a lifelong crippling disease that no one sees. I find myself hiding my hands under the table or stumbling around in shoes that hurt like hell just so nobody sees my now deformed hands and feet. Talk about the ultmate betrayal. My own body! Wow! I stumbled on this site by mistake looking for financial help for medical bills and I guess I didn't realize how much I needed to vent!
Hi Sara. I know what you are going through. I have had RA for almost three years now. But I have refused to take meds. In fact, I am doing it naturally. I am taking a glutathione accelerator from Max GXL. I suggest you check out the website www.maxgxl.com and read. I have been taking it for almost a year. Going naturally takes a lot longer, but the wait and pay-off is worth it. I have RA in both hands and wrists, knees, both feet (ankles and balls of feet), elbows and shoulders. I can actually run without pain. I can open bottle lids, pick up my 2 yr old. Every day gets slowly better. Let me know how I can help. Let me know if you are interested in taking Max. Stay Positive. I have a friend on Max for a year and she has stopped taking all but one of her meds for RA and fibromyalgia (taking meds for 10 yrs). There's hope.
Paul
hi Sara,
I really identified with your words and your cartoon strip! I share your reaction to the Arthritis Walk - I'm limited in how far I can walk (a year ago I had ankle surgery and barely went out of the house for 3 months) and I remember grumbling about just that. And you're absolutel right about the difference between RA and OA (not to mention FM - but that's a whole nother story and it's only beginning to be told)
But I also want to mention - I just got a DVD of Tai Chi for Arthritis, and it's finally something I can do (now that I've had ankle surgery, that is). I have no idea if it would be helpful to you, but I called the nearest Arthritis Foundation office (4 hours away) ready to complain that there was NOTHING anywhere near me, even tho' I'm in their district. Well, they said, they have trouble even getting people to come to events in the city, because it's still difficult to get around. BUT they do have the tapes available you can use at home. The Tai Chi tapes are available from them directly (cheaper postage) or from www.taichiproductions.com. The one i got does involve being on your feet, But you might be able to adapt some of them if you are not...
Just thought it might be helpful. I do intend to do a sharepost on it sometime soon.
Best wishes -
Ellen
Hi everyone, I have read all the comments and can relate completely. Have had RA most of my life. People seem to be a little more understanding with me because my hands are so badly deformed & some have even apologized for saying they have arthritis but not the kind I have which they know is different. It has also been my understanding that RA can get into the organs and cause death. I don't know how common that is and it is scary to think about, but I have seen obits where the cause of death is due to Rheumatoid Arthritis. No matter how you look at it, it is a chronic, devistating debilitating disease without a cure and the treatments can be as bad as the disease.
RA is an inflammatory disease. ANy good Dr will tell you tat high levels of inflammation not only damage joints,but organs as well (like with Lupus). I for one have heart disease/damaged vales thatnks to very high inflammation that despite all the drugs (and yes I have tried them all,oral meds,steroids,methotrexate,Humira,Enbrel,Remicade,Orencia and Rituxan to name a few) I continie to get worse,not better.
RA can kill you,most people do not take the time to truly understand what the disease can do. It parallels Lupus in many ways.
I nearly died in 2007,I was very ill and Dr said it was amazing I survived,RA can kill...
Thanks for making your very good, though scary and sad, point. I'm glad that you made it through in 2007. I guess since RA doesn't tend to off people instantly, this possibility gets ignored and skipped over. Though I am hopefuly that the prognosis for people with RA (esp. those diagnosed young who will have it for decades) will continue to improve. I guess that's all we can hope for.
I've read this in several places, but have also read that the biologics, at least, decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease and heart attacks, because it lowers the general inflammation .... high C-reactive protein is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and heart attacks. I'm not sure if the DMARDS do the same - maybe someone else has heard or read something.
I'm glad this was brought out. RA CAN kill you, it just takes a while. It also kills much in our lives--the ability to do things we want to do, and the energy to do ANYTHING.
I hesitate to make plans because I may not be able to carry them out. Sara, I'm glad you started this discussion and that a person on the RA site that I frequent posted the link.
Bennysmom
I don't want to seem like a pollyanna, after quoting the above statistic, however, there are many things that shorten life, and change lives - this just happens to be ours. ("Why me!?") Well, to be blunt, why not? Rather than list all of the other tragedies that can happen to people (children dying, auto accidents, cancer, poverty), I have times when I do, as they say, look for the silver lining in the cloud, the gift of change....not to minimize anything, and I know I am fortunate at the moment to be in a lot better shape than a couple years ago, but I am taking better care of myself (diet, exericse, valuing relationships, appreciating what I DO have). Things I couldn't do before RA because I was always literally on the run, kept busy because of existential anxiety, I think, to make a long story short. Well, I got caught up short. I do not speak for anyone else, only myself. I am always having to adjust, and adapt. I don't plan very far ahead, and I plan a whole lot less than I used to. But I value each bit of my life a whole lot more than before too. I know this will not be any comfort to younger RA victims who are struggling to raise a family. I would be just as devastated, and I have no right to assume that anyone should feel the same way that I do (and I don't always feel that balanced either - I do struggle). BUt I was struggling emotionally and psychologically in different ways, before I got sick. I 've been in a life-long anxiety-driven race to survive, and in some ways, after getting the help I've gotten, I am grateful to not have to make excuses why I'm not doing what I simply can't do. The game of life has become more focused, in a physical way rather than emotional/spiritual/psychological. In some ways, inwardly, I'm stronger than ever. (What doesn't kill you makes you stronger still, I guess!) And I believe that it's what inside that counts, more than outside. I HAVE to believe this, to deal with everything, and to go on. I felt my whole life that somehow a piece of the puzzle was missing. Now I know that "what I see is what I get" and my life is determined by how I react to what I get. And how I react to what I DON't get. The glass is half-full, not half-empty. That's really the only choice left to me, and the only one I will & can accept. So thanks to all who have made me think this out and say this. I'll have to remember it when I'm not feeling as good and screw something up again, or miss an event because I'm too tired to go or too much in pain to care. I guess that's my bottom line. And I hope I have not offended anyone, that is not my intention. For me, the challenge has become to make the most of what I am and what I have, with those I love, and those I work with. I wish you all the best.
I don't think you sound like a pollyanna. It's easy with RA to get down in the doldrums for so many reasons-one of which, as my article pointed out, is because it is a misunderstood and 'unpopular' disease. But perspective is really important, and you make a good point. I have it hard for sure, and it sucks that I got laced with this disease at a young age, but people all over the world are dealing with difficult and awful things beyond their control.
Another thing I think of a lot is that just because I have RA, it doesn't mean that the bad things that happen to my friends aren't important or don't count. It might not be RA, but pain is a pain in a way, and I try to remember that as often as i can.
thanks for adding this to the discussion, ellen!
Not at all Ellen. We all try to keep that positive attitude. They say that resilliency is the key (no pun intended), but when you have to keep this to yourself all the time because of a lack of understanding by the majority of the population, and to avoid the sarcastic and stupid comments, it feels good to vent to those who understand. Thanks all for this platform! Now back to being a rubberband.
Hi Sara, love your comic strip. How right you are. I always get, well at least you didn't get it till you were 57 years old!!! How about not getting "it" at all. My dear brother once told me I didn't corner the market on RA. Don't you just love it. I think chartreuse would be a good color for a ribbon. What do you think?
Jeanie
I am new to this site and I am enjoying going back through your posts. You know they say RA will take 15 years off your life so thats a start lol, and even though the disease might not kill you the lovely meds we use to fight it might. Don't you just love those RA commercials. They are depressing! Anyways thanks for your posts, they are everything that crosses my mind as well. 
Reading this I was almost in tears.... it is SO TRUE!! I was diagnosed when I was 13 and I am now 20, these past few years have been the hardest, I now have a 14 month old and there were days I couldn't pick my own 3 month old up! I came across this cute but so true comic when I was searching the web for a slogan to make a "cute" shirt for an up coming arthritis walk, and like i said this was so true because I couldn't find one!!!!
My Dr called. They are expecting to get my Simponi (Golimumab, approved for severe RA/AS patients in late April) in tomorrow and will call to have me come in. I hope it helps, some relief would be great.
I will let everyone know how it goes. The nervousness of trying a new drug is setting in, along with the hope that it will be the one to finally give me relief.
P.S. My CRP is over 80, in misery...
I'm sure many of you have found out the ribbon colour for RA but I thought I would share anyway. It's blue and purple which is quite nice. Also, I found a fabulous site a few days ago with TONS of merch and quirky phrases for shirts and bumber stickers. I think I want them all! Many people won't understand but I know all of you do that I was totally excited to find a site full of merch about RA! Here's the link. It's a Canadian site (which is great for me) but that just means it's cheaper for those of you in the USA. FYI: As much pain as I'm in, I've decided to do the walk in May. I registered a few days ago and I've already receive hundreds in pledges as well as got my parents to do the walk with me! I'm going to push myself to do the 1k but if I get huge donations and my new meds are working (I start Humira on Monday) I might push myself to do the 5k...wish me luck!
http://shop.cafepress.ca/rheumatoid
I feel for you I have RA and take Humira , Methotrexate and Plaquinal along with pain killers. All this and I still feel terrible and look forward to the every now and than a window opens where I feel half good, happy-smile and not sickly. Not to mention finally feel well enough to spend time with my family...its a terrible terrible desease!!! Most of the tiome so much pain and no energy to do much. I used to be very active fish, hunt ... gosh I miss it. ... well better stop ..
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thanks, you hit the nail on the head. I cannot call in sick to work w/o getting the stink eye b/c I dont "look" sick.
yep-I know. Sometimes it makes me feel guilty even though I know what's going on with me. It's just sooo hard when others can't ever see.