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By Laurie Wednesday, July 04, 2012

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G'morning RA Family

I look forward every year to a special party out in the country on 4th July - a place where I'm completely accepted for who I am no questions asked - an event where I see some people only there - something I really look forward to. It's like being accepted by "hill people", being considered part of the family. And it will happen today. BUT - RA ruins things again. I realized Monday I'm too sick just now to go anywhere there are not regular bathrooms; my meds have caused months of daily diarrhea, very unpredictable & messy. Both doctors know and tell me to expect it for at least another month. Now that's 2 things, outtings, that I've really really planned and looked forward to this year that at the 11th hour realized I can't go cause I'm too sick.

My heart is breaking - - I'm too sad just now to be angry even. I haven't learned yet how to balance the emotions that go along with living with RA.

Laurie

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Summer Fun

Comments (6) | Add comment

V, Health Guide

7/ 4/12 10:00pm

Hi, Laurie,

I'm sorry you are too ill to go to the Independence Day celebration. Missing something you look forward too so much is a really, really tough one to handle. I hope your RA gets under control soon, and that you can plan another outing of some type. Maybe even just call up someone for a lunch date, or invite someone to your house for lunch. Perhaps you could go to a movie with a friend. I know that may not sound like a big deal to some people, but it would be a big deal for me. I have also been struggling to get my RA under control. I still have hope, though. I will be starting Orencia soon. Please don't give up hope. I will be keeping you in my prayers.

Hugs,

Laurie

7/ 4/12 11:54pm

Thanks V - I'm not as sad by evening, but hurt that I just don't handle it well. I did go to a spiritual meeting and a BBQ that was held in the building I live in - but it's just not the same as dear old friends. Staying active is important to me too, movies, or whatever, hang with friends. Let me know how the Orencia goes. The Humira stopped working so when I get bad RA flare again we'll have to try something new....

Thanks again... Laurie

Lene Andersen, Health Guide

7/ 6/12 12:28pm

I don't know how you "handle it well" when RA steals another thing from you. It's big things and little things and sometimes, it really gets to you. One of my biggest things was when I had to miss the wedding of a dear friend. Little things are the inability to do anything in the late afternoon because that's when I have to lie down to rest. It sucks. Most of the time, you learn to focus on other things, but there's no getting around the hurt it causes, especially when you know that people you care about are out there having fun without you.

On the practical side, I recommend that you see a licensed doctor of naturopathic medicine for help to manage the side effects. Mine suggested taking acidophilus (a kind of probiotic) to balance the bacteria in my gut - it can be used to deal with both constipation and diarrhea. Get the good stuff from the health food store, keep it in the fridge and take one or two capsules a day with meals. It doesn't interact with anything and the only potential side effect is that if you take too much, your bowel movements may get a bit loose, but if that happens, you reduce the dose. I know that sounds as if you shouldn't take it at all because your problem is that your bowel movements are loose already, but it can help to regulate that. You may also try another little trick that I used to use. If I was worried about my ability to go to the washroom for an important event, I'd take Imodium even if I didn't actually have diarrhea. It would "firm things up" (a-hem) to the point of constipation for a day or two and I'd be able to go to my event.

Laurie

7/ 7/12 7:37pm

Thanks Lene - - sound advise is always welcome. I'm sorry to see others in my shoes, but I learn from you at the same time. We all need clues to how to get along on a daily living basis....

Laurie

7/ 7/12 7:37pm

Thanks Lene - - sound advise is always welcome. I'm sorry to see others in my shoes, but I learn from you at the same time. We all need clues to how to get along on a daily living basis....

Lene Andersen, Health Guide

7/ 9/12 10:32am

often, I've learned more from people living with RA than I have from doctors!

And speaking of... I was thinking of you this weekend. I've had my own little gastrointestinal extravaganza (probably due to stress). I had one of those "need a washroom right now" incidents on Thursday and had to go somewhere on Friday. I've heard much about the constipating effects of blueberries, so I gave it a shot. I don't normally eat blueberries - don't like them that much - but they worked like a charm. In fact, they worked so well I didn't go for another two days! Other constipating foods include beef, salted products like pretzels (be careful if you have high blood pressure), white rice. You can find more if you Google the topic.

Have a great day!

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