Living With Arthritis

One of my best friends was diagnosed with RA when he was only 16. He struggles with it everyday but still mangaes to lead a normal life and play sports. He was never afraid of needles before but since he had to start getting RA shots he nearly vomits at the thought of them. But nonetheless I am still very proud of him because he nearly never complains and perserves through it, It sure takes alot of courage!

One of my best friends was diagnosed with RA when he was only 16. He struggles with it everyday but still mangaes to lead a normal life and play sports. He was never afraid of needles before but since he had to start getting RA shots he nearly vomits at the thought of them. But nonetheless I am still very proud of him because he nearly never complains and perserves through it, It sure takes alot of courage!

i was diagnosis with RA at age 37- 25 years ago. I had a hip replacement at 37 and subsequently bilateral foot reconstructions, spinal fusion, and a few others. I can understand what you have been going through and i firmly believe that if you keep yourself busy and try and not dwell on your problems, it is easier. I am on multiple medications including Humira and feel good most of the time. If I am having a bad day, I always think of someone else having wore problems than myself. Keep your chin up and keep on going!!
kathy

I have been suffering with arthriris for more than 15 years. I was told there was nothing they could do for me, because I was to old, to fat and had other medical problems. By chance i come across an item on the internet that drew my attention. The place was called , "The lazer
spine institute".I made conection with them and within 2 weeks was on my way to Tampa Florida to get the lazer spine surgury. It was like a merical. I can walk without a cane or walker and most all my pain is gone from my back and legs. It is very expensive, and have at your disposal around $20,000. I can help you contact this place if you are interested.
Al

Around the time I turned 18 I started to suffer widespread joint pain. This occurred directly after a bout of food poisoning, though I didn't correlate a relationship between the two until many years later when a doctor suggested it as a cause. That's because both my mother as well as my grandfather have suffered with arthritis for as I could remember. I guess I just always assumed get it at one time or another.

In the years that have passed, I've been lucky enough to work a desk job at home. I say lucky enough because even though I'm only 32, I can't stand for long periods of time and I'm constantly exhausted. Pain jumps from joint to joint; one day it's in my ribs, the next my shoulder. Add in the other systemic problems such as IBS, tinnitus, allergies, mouth sores and blurred vision and some days are just more unbearable than others.

But I deal with it. I don't complain, I don't even talk about it, I just suffer silently. All that said what bothers me the most about my situation is that like my mother, I've been diagnosed with "nothing". Whether it be X-rays or blood work it always comes back clean. No signs of RA, no autoimmune disorders, nothing. In a way I'm happy about that of course, I don't revel in being sick, but at the same time to be told there's nothing wrong with me is frustrating. What I'm suffering from may not be understood, but it is most certainly real - at least to me.

I don't have RA, but I was born with Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita. The wear and tear from surgery at age 2 and living with joints worn out before their time brought me to arthritis by middle school. Now, at age 36, I have had three joint replacements and while my pain level has dropped, I still deal with arthritis and it's effects on my body. I wrote a small piece about dealing with pain myself. You have to take control of it, or it will take control of you. http://www.healthmad.com/Conditions-and-Diseases/Pain.57536

Very well put!

Excellent article and I wholeheartly agree it can't define who you are as a person. I have suffered from RA for 25 years and raised three healthy daughters as well as try to have a career. It has been difficult but you must continue on with your life as best as you can. "Self piety stinks." as my grandmother use to say. Jane

When i was diagnosed with RA I thought mylife was over. I have always been very physical and independent. I couldn't accept with dignity that that part of my life was over. I sought new and different treatments and found what was to become Humira. I have been on it or something like it since 1999. It is a miracle. It doesn't take ALL of the pain but my joints look and feel normal. They used to be red and swollen. Expensive? Yes it is. But so is not being able to do what you want. Gretchen