I have RA for about 5 years now. I was always an active person, always doing something...exercising, running, doing Yoga & Pilates, biking, hiking, fishing, I love the outdoors! So once my body started to go on a downward spiral from RA...it was very hard for me. One of the hardest things for me is not being able to do what I want to do when I want to do it! I work full time and I try to go to the gym everyday after work. I feel a difference if I do not keep active. I have learned to listen to my body. If it says GO, I GO!!! If it says STOP, I STOP and rest. But I notice if I am busy and can't exercise I feel so much worse! I also try to eat healthy. If I eat junk or fried foods I also notice a change for the worse. It seems like these things effect my RA: Weather, Hormones, Certain Foods, Lack of activity, not enough rest (I need 8hrs of sleep to feel good), stress. You really have to remain positive no matter how bad it gets! I am taking Enbrel, Prednisone & Pain Meds. I hate taking medicine but I have faced the fact, if I want any kind of "normal" life and to do the things I love, I need the meds. So the Meds,Exercise & staying Avtive, listening to your Body, Eating Right, Remaining as Positive as Possible! These things all help...But, I am a 36yr old Single Female who wonders often that dating is hard enough in this world, finding a good caring moral guy just isn't like it used to be, who is going to want a girl who has pain everyday??? who has a daily struggle every morning and can't stay up late without agony??? Who probably can't have children because she can't live w/out her meds??? Who ever thought my life would end up being ruled by RA????????
HI There! I have always felt I was a strong willed person and that NOTHING can stop me! I have always heard of RA, my Grandmother and Aunts had/have it. They were/are hard workers. So I never realized how much it can change effect your life! I come from a long line of strong hardwroking women! My Mom is a Cancer survivor and worked while she faught Breast Cancer, so I thought I will never let anything get me down and give in to any pain or suffering! I don't ever want to stop working, it keeps me going! I think people sometimes give up and give into things. Once you do that, the disease/disorder wins! I will not let it win! Honestly, it's been really bad the past few months, so it scares me sometimes. I don't think my current meds are working like they used to. But I can't give in, I need to continue to stay Positive!!! As for the dating, it's tough! My life consists of working all week, I go to the Gym, and then home to bed. I have a 50 min drive back and forth to work, so by the time I get home I am beat!! And then on the weekends I am so tired from the week, that barely move from my house. It's hard enough finding a decent date when you have your health, and when you can go out and meet people. I just don't know who would want someone who can't do things all the time??? Who is a bit miserible in the morning and night because she is in pain and needs her rest???? I just don't know. You give me hope though! KUDOS to you for having a great person to share yur life with!!!!