Living Day-By-Day With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Ok...so I finally saw my new Dr.  He was very nice and so far I am happy with him.  We agreed that for right now I can stay off meds...and he just gave me a script for Naproxen to take as needed.  So...I am thinking that a lifestyle change can help.  Diet, exercise and supplements... So...give me your thoughts...what has worked for you to manage your RA? -L

So, I am finally awaiting a referral for a new Rheumy close to where I am now.  Now I am pretty nervous.  It has been a while since I have been to a Rheumy and I know that I am worse now.  I don't know why I am nervous...I mean I have had RA since I was 2...so this is not new to me.  I guess I am just worried they will want to put my on a boat load of medications...also worried that I may not like the Doc.  Oh well, I guess I will see how it goes and hope for the best.  I need some relief.  My wrists can barely bend at all lately and it makes for a pretty hard day at work...then time with kids who want to do all the things I can't.  We will see how it goes and hope it all works out! -L

Wow...it has been a while...too long actually since my last post.  I didn't even realize how long it had actually been.  I have been working a lot lately and when I am at home I am usually spending time with the kids...if not...I am sleeping.  Boy...working really does take a toll on your body.  I am tired, achy and more miserable than usual :)  Can't wait until I have some vacation time this summer.  I just want to relax...sleep...maybe do nothing for a couple of days.  On a side note...I still need to make a doctors appointment...that is on my to-do list...that I have to make the time for...I need something.  I really don't like medication...but sometimes that's what I need.  Ugh...back to work I go :( -L

Okay...so the weather has been sooo nice lately.  It was not fun to wake up to SNOW this morning!  The kids loved it...but me...not so much.  Also, I have been feeling more sore than usual this past week.  I am going to have to set up an appointment with a Rheumatologist...which I need to find a new one closer to me.  I also need to make an appointment with an Ophthalmologist to check out my iritis.  I always seem to procrastinate when it comes to making appointments for me...maybe it’s because I really don't like to go to the doctors!  When I was growing up I was at a Doctor’s office or the hospital constantly...maybe that's why?  Oh well...I have to suck it up and do it!  Well...maybe tomorrow :) -L

So...the kids are napping...and here I am doing work (and blogging...lol).  What a week.  Back from vacation...back to work and crazy schedules.  I have been so sore this week.  I was okay before I left for vacation...and I was GREAT on vacation...but now I am in incredible pain?!?  What gives?  It takes me like 1-2 minutes to stand up straight some days after sitting.  And my wrists hurt pretty badly.  Maybe it is just this week...maybe I will wake up tomorrow and feel better...hmmm...maybe wishful thinking on my part?  Oh well...TGIF anyway! -L

So, I have just returned from vacation...and I miss the warm weather so much!!!  While we were away...it was nice and warm and sunny and I felt great!  We all had such a good time.  Then we arrived home to snow...and it was cold!  Now...I wake up once again stiff as ever...takes me a good 10-20 minutes to get my joints going.  My body just feels worse in the cold.  Come on summer!  I need the warm weather back.  It is amazing how much better I felt while away!  Maybe we need to move to a warmer climate :) -L

Happy Valentines Day!  I remember when I was younger I used to love this day!  Chocolates, cards etc...mmmmm.  Now it is almost like any other day.  We don't do much here for v-day...and I don't expect anything from hubby.  He is soooo good to me all year round, he doesn't have to buy me gifts because of a certain day.  I am so grateful of everything he already does.  He understands my pain, helps me around the house and helps me with the kids when he is not working.  I think he feels the same way about me...lol.  When I am not working I do the same.  We help each other to get things done around here!  But he does help me with more of the day to day stuff because of my RA.  I sometimes feel like I am getting on his nerves asking 'can you do this for me''can you do that for me''I can't do this' etc all the time!  I really appreciate all that he does...well at least v-day has made me really think about how much I do app...

Well, looks like today is a snow day.  Now...what should we do today?  I am going to take the kids out later to play in the snow...unfortunately I am no fun as I can barely walk in the darn snow lol.  I am sure they will have fun though!  I remember snow days were the best when I was a kid!  They rarely happen so this must be a treat for all the kids home from school.  My kids are not in school yet...but aer very excited about all the snow!  So the groundhogs did not see their shadows this morning which means it should be an early spring!  But how often are they right?!  Well, I hope they are right this time!  I want the sunny warm days back!  I want to feel better and my joints not to be frozen anymore!!!  But it could always be worse... Hope everyone keeps there chins up during this time of year...smile and be kind to everyone. -L

So, I am in the search for a new Rheumatologist and would love to hear from all of you. I know that Doctors vary, and I have heard from some of you and I’d like to hear more.   Does your doctor move your joints for you, or ask you to move them?   Does the doctor press on joints and manipulate joints to check for any sort of inflammation?   Does the doctor take into account what you say about your joints and your pain? I have had docs forcefully push my joints…past the point they are able to…and have caused incredible pain.   Now that I have been thinking of starting with a new doctor I am getting a little anxious thinking about it…since my pain has increased lately.  We all know that RA is incurable, and effects everyone differently to some degree.   So, I know for Rheumy’s there is a lot of trial and error for each patient…as everyone reacts differently to different meds, med combinations etc.   But, I have had great docs in the past…and some not so ...

So the time has come for the winter blues.  It has now been almost a month since the Christmas holidays and you can tell peoples mood has been changing.  Especially now with the extreme cold we have had.  I don't find it too bad...but I am so afraid of falling on all the darn ice!  I am clumsy enough without the help of ice!!!  I find it hard during the winter because I am usually in more pain that in the summer months...and add that to the fact that I cannot do the usual winter activities (ski, skate etc).  So I want the summer back!!! Also - the last week or so, I have been getting sharp pains in my left wrist.  My wrists are always painful...but this is different and it is usually when I am on the computer or writing.  Could it be carpal tunnel?  Hopefully not as I already have trouble at work with all the typing. I hope everyone is staying warm and happy during the winter months!!! -L  On a side note...I a...

One common thing I hear from others or read about on other RA blogs is the theme of the "before RA person" and the " after RA person".  It makes me think.  I was diagnosed before I was 2.  I know nothing different.  I was never able to do things growing up that all the other kids could do.  I could never ice skate...play sports (I would try though) or even participate in some games (red rover).  I wish I was able to do those things at least once...or at least without pain.  I also wish kids were not so mean about things they don't understand.  That was the hardest part for me about growing up with RA...being told I was faking it so I didn't have to participate in Gym class etc.  They didn't understand that I really wanted to...but was unable.  But when I read about others "before RA person" I think...they were able to do things...they were able to experience things growing up...but then it was all taken...

So...these last few days have been the most painful I have had in a while.  I am wondering if I am still trying to catch up on my rest that I did not get over the holidays.  It seems like everything I do hurts.  I was even changing the channel on the TV earlier and it was like my hand was frozen in that position.  I had to use my other hand to slowly move each finger away from the remote...and boy did it hurt.  It took me a good few minutes to get up off the floor after playing with the kids this morning.  My wrists are aching right now as I type.  I really hope once I catch up on my sleep and relax a little bit more...this will get better.  Is anyone else still recouping from the holidays?  What a way to start the new year. -L