Living Day-By-Day With Rheumatoid Arthritis

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

I just wanted to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday...and a pain free, stress free new year :) -L

I feel so old today...even more old than usual!  I could barely get out of bed this morning...not a good start to the day.  Then I had to go out to a couple of stores...oh my...craziness!!!  My body feels like it just wants to give up today.  It seems I am having a hard time with everything I do, or try to do!  So not fun.  I hope I don't feel this way over the holidays.  I want to be able to play with my kids and there new toys and not be extremely tired and sore.  Is that too much to ask?!? -L

Oh the joys of holiday shopping.  This year was easy for me as we went on a family vacation which took care of most of the gifts.  But usually I end up going shopping for what seems like way to much time.  I end up trying to get it all done in one day...but half way through the day, I am limping and can barely hold the bags I have.  Online shopping is great.  It takes away most of the hassle. How do you complete all of your holiday shopping? -L