Bug453

Health Interests

Rheumatoid Arthritis,  Physical Therapy

Drugs I am Taking

Methotrexate,  Remicade, 

About Me

Hello, I am a 22 y/o Paramedic who was diagnosed over a year ago with RA. The past year has been a trial of different drugs, coping mechanisms, physical therapy, all while running 911 calls. I have been blessed with a fighting spirit and a supportive immediate family, and have been able to hide my pain fairly well. I recently have found a drug combo that seems to be keeping the disease at bay and have been allowed to start riding horses, working cows (grew up on a ranch), run, swim, and soon to ski again. The dx has given me the gift/burden to grow up faster- realizing life is short and to take the opprotunities to do things now rather than later, but in a responsible way. I am now trying to find where I fit in the world, cope with normal early 20's drama's, a busy 911 system, continuing education, and now a chronic disease. I recently traveled to my Grandmother's home town to meet relatives that our branch of the family tree has lost touch with, and learned that almost every female has this and is diagnosed either as a child (JRA) or young adult. It has been amazing to learn i am not the super freak that ended up with this disease no one seems to truly understand. I try to stay active traveling every January on medical outreach missions, taking numerous fishing trips a year, and working on continuing my education into Occ. Therapy. I have been blessed with an independent soul, but still struggle with full acceptance of the monster that is RA. I am hear to read about others, to not feel so alone with the emotions and pains, and to maybe offer some of the limited knowledge i have acquired in my short time of being diagnosed.