Readers Respond: Has Arthritis Changed You?

Take an honest look at yourself. Are you somehow different after being diagnosed and living with arthritis than you were before being diagnosed with arthritis?

Look to heal

I suffered for many years with pain. I was told many time the pain was in my head. I went and researched, found I had RA. Don't give in, we will win the battle. I am in terrible pain. Often I scream when i can't get relief. A fellow sufferer from the land of the little people. A silent cry.

—Guest franco

Jesus is the answer

Jesus is ready to heal all who believe in His Blood. I used to have all these diseases then I came in to contact with the Word of God. Which proved to me that Jesus is ready to heal all my sickness and now praise His name I am healed.

—Guest Tina

I am in a lot of pain

I am 47. I survive from domestic violence after that I get RA. I in pain a lot, this life is not more good life. I really depressed everyday. I can't take anymore. I cry a lot but not enough to give out my everyday pain. I different person now. I try lo live for my daugther but sometimes is really hard but I always pray to God only one day live with free of pain. God bless everyone smile

—Guest miss pain

Frustrated

I have RA and I feel useless I wanted to volunteer as a nurse in Africa , or work with Project Hope. That will never be I was fired from my job because of RA tossed out like an old rag I worked hard all my life. I was a nurse for 36 years. I ruined my body so I tell people take your breaks, eat lunch, because your employer does not care about you. I hurt all the time and am fatigued as well. I take daily naps from 2-4 hrs I don't even want to start my day many times because I know I will be in pain. I really wonder if people believe me. It takes me so much time to do any activity because I need rest periods. I have tried to do strenthening and it only makes me hurt more. The only activity I can do is swim and I have to force myself. I am 40 lbs overweight. I feel ugly. My hands are swollen always. I am embarrassed for people to see them. My feet are getting deformed so I will not wear open toed shoes. Yes my life has changed. I know how people feel. RA in a word sucks.

—Guest itis

Sjahnie

Diagnosed with raging RA after near surgery(neck) took drs six months to go from failed neck surgery to RA by then so curled up in pain, agony. Now have remission due to 4th major changes in drug, success in Rhumaxitab been on it since Dec, 3 months to kick in, feeling best since onset, now having 2nd neck surgery June have to come off all anti-inflamatories, fingers crossed right now hoping no relapse whilst waiting for operation (fusion) . Haven't been able to work for over two years. Have best husband in the world. Major pill intake daily, my life as I knew it is over. Can't return to my own business, due to pain,memory loss, hearing loss, moment impairment. Have RA in every joint in my body, except vertebra in my lower back. Have gone from very successful woman in Real Estate, owning my own business to watching things from the sidelines, even to watch losing money hand over fist. Double lens replacement from steroid induced cataracts. Double Carpul tunnel operation.neck in jeopardy

—Guest SharrynHilton

Makes me feel useless and hopeless

I guess that after 12 years I still go through denial when I have stretches when I have fewer flare-ups. I am able to be active for a little while and I forget until the morning I wake up again sick and in excruciating pain. Untreated the past four years though, it's getting worse now I am sick more than not sick and I feel as if I will never be a valuable member of society. At 44 years of age, I feel like there isn't anything much to look forward to.

—Guest GiGi

JRA turned my entire world upside down.

I have had juvenile arthritis since age 2. As a result I developed severe secondary osteoporosis as a teen. At the time it was not known by the medical community that JRA could cause severe osteo. Therefore, I was a medical anomaly. It took over 7 years to get a real answer. In the meantime I broke about 40 bones, had both my hips replaced, and lost btwn 8 & 10 inches in height. Yes, arthritis has changed me...

—Guest kalessa

RA changes everyone I think

I was diagnosed with RA about 4 years ago. I tried to not take medication for about 1 year and could no longer take the pain and swelling. I am on 2 different drugs that are helping me. I still have the bad days, but the good ones are more now. But the flares hit and you never know when. I have always been out going and that has changed. I find that when I am not working, I need to rest. My family has been great support. My friends, only some of them, not as much. I try to keep my spirts up, but feel so alone. Tears are plenty, but I am never going to give up. The best to all and here is hoping you have a good day today.

—Guest Kimberly

rose

It has totally changed me. I used to bike 10 miles a few times a e=week, walk for an hour every day or so, volunteer dog walking and at the local food bank, think nothing of lifting my grandchildren up in the air and go all day feeling energized. RA has changed all that. Fifteen months and I am not yet in remission...must be patient. I go for little walks and a good day is when I can get down the stairs and dress myself and hold my own fork or spoon to feed myself. But it will resolve I am sure...all things come to those who wait and I could be so much worse off.

—Guest rahggh@aol.com

RN, BS

26yrs ago I was diagnosed w/RA, at 18, a wk after having a miscarriage. I struggled in constant/debilitaing pain the first 11 years-mainly because I was treated by a GP w/limited knowledge in the field of RA. The only med he'd rx were various NSAID which weren't effective in controlling the pain, much less delaying disease progression or damage. As a result, I suffered extensive joint damage, which required me to have bilateral hip replacements. Relief from pain only came after I initiated treatment w/ a qualified Rheumatologist, who actively participated in RA research and was up to date on the current meds, trends & treatments. That doc was able to put me on the correct med regimen which allowed me to successfully ward off most of the consequences of RA. I am now able to exercise in moderation, to maintain function and to live a close to normal lifestyle, free of arthritic pain. Arthritis has taught me to educate myself and to never ever give into the pain or the disease!

—Guest Virgie Delgado,

Different strokes

I had developing in my knees as a teenager early signs of arthritis. My continued participation in athletics bothered my knees but pride kept me going despite the pain. Prior to losing my brother to lupus and watching him change his diet from time to time intrigued me so I would follow in his footsteps going from eating anything on the plate to only chicken and fish and then to vegetarian to vegan. Through all this I noticed that my knees no longer hurt or swelled. However, when I did have a pain I could always trace it back to something I ate. I know that everyone is different but I also know that a great many of us eat the same types of food, so I will say that inflammation of the joints can a lot of times be attributed to the same acid that is produced by the ingestion of certain foods. Please consider that it might (for some of us) be just as simple as adjusting our intake of 1 or 2 items...you will find your answer in nature's food made just for you by the Creator.

—Guest MoorMan

Has arthritis changed you?

Yes, I feel it has in many ways. I have rheumatoid and am still in denial, I'm 40 years old soon 41, and everyone around me is fitter than me and I find this very frustrating, When I'm struggling to get up in a morning either because of the pain or the low moods that you feel, I have a very low self esteem now, not that it was sky high before, but my hobbies were floristry, cross stitch, and furniture restoration, and I am now unable to do the things I enjoyed. Foods too are getting me down as I'm finding certain foods flare the issue and make me worse, I feel unfeminine too, some days I can't even hold the razor to shave my legs. How humiliating is that? I know you all understand but I also know that you all feel the same - whilst there are people like you, and I have a wonderful understanding husband, you still feel so lonely. How can this be? I was diagnosed in Oct. by my GP. The hospital doesn't help as given my age and I know I'm not exempt but they just won't commit themselves.

—Guest louise

Slowly getting worse

I was told I had OA several years ago. It is gettng worse. I have had both knees replaced and have had surgery on both wrists. I have RA in my fingers and there is not a joint that isn't affected. I have in my jaw on one side that it has made my jaw turn and I have lost my teeth because of the cross bite it has caused. I can't lose weight. I have hypothyroidism, diabetes, high blood pressure still, I know others are worse than I am.

—Guest Sandy

Yes, I've changed

I was diagnosed with OA of my knees in 1997 and OA of my spine and hips at a later date. I also have Fibromyalgia and a few other things in addition. I'm not as active as I used to be due to the pain. It hurts to walk, sit, stand, and lie down. If I sleep too long, I wake up in a lot of pain. If I don't sleep long enough, I'm in a lot of pain. Everything just hurts non-stop. Many times I wish I could get out of this body. I'm 48 but feel like I'm in my 80s. I don't pity myself, I do feel depressed a lot though. Pain isn't for wimps.

—JewelryDiva

Still in denial

I am still in denial - yet have used a cane for over 2 years - really hard to walk - am overweight - but regardless of dietary restrictions - am losing too slowly. Take every supplement and vitamin known to man - also remote healing which healed his bank account - also Reiki and prayer. I refuse to be a cripple - so much for whining and complaining.

—vinny152