Comments on: The Truth About Rheumatoid Arthritis Info Will Be Told!

By: Kelly Young

Kelly Young — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 01:38:24 +0000

Dear Jackie,
Here’s a link to reply I just wrote to Sheryl which I think really applies to your question too! http://rawarrior.com/25-tips-to-manage-rheumatoid-arthritis-fatigue/?show=comments#comment-172492
I’m sorry to reply late and I hpe you are still reading! Also here’s a link to a list of all the posts about exercise here on the blog: http://rawarrior.com/tag/exercise-with-ra/
This disease has several different patterns it can take – most have the same experience as you with activity making active disease even worse. Finding the right medication that helps to suppress your disease will be key. And when you do, you can work out the balance of rest and exercise to know what makes you feel best and most able to live your life. Like you, I was always a person who excercised a lot and I’d much rather be able. Hopefully we both will get there.

By: Jackie Titus

Jackie Titus — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 00:40:23 +0000

I am so happy that I found this information about exercise. I was diagnosed about a year and a half ago and I had been exercising prior to my diagnosis. Over the last 8 months I have been progressively getting worse, even with trying new medications. I had noticed that every time I exercised I would have more severe pain and inflammation and so much fatigue. It’s been wipping me out. I thought that I should just push through it. I’ve been feeling so bad about not being able to exercise but I know now that by continuing to exercise I am only hurting myself more. Thanks for all of the great information!

By: Sandra Mafnas

Sandra Mafnas — Wed, 18 May 2011 17:24:19 +0000

I just want to say that this is a great start about RA. It is so true that doing anything physical requires recuperation time. Something as simple as getting your blood drawn may require a nap when you return home. I have taken steroids and TNF inhibitors for years and I felt great……the outcome was adrenal and renal disease and early onset of macular degeneration. Now, I’m not 100% sure if these drugs caused it but funny I did not have it before all the trials of different medications which either had me vomiting, diarrhea, severe multiple infections, skin changes, severe hair loss…..to mention a few side effects! In the end I have learned to manage my energy, pace my self, found a great pain management doctor and support from my family. I refuse to take anymore RA drugs that suppresses and screws up my immune system and God knows what else it does. I refuse to take Rituxan because of the potential PML side effect which is not reversible and leaves you brain dead. I’m an RN and I still feel overwhelmed with the information or lack of information. Drug companies just want you to take their drugs…….but until there are safer drugs I won’t take them. Inform your family on how you feel, find a hobby, do your stretches and learn to listen to your body. I con’t tolerate 2 hours shopping only 30 min…..so I limit to 30 minutes. I pace myself otherwise I pay for it physically the next day or sometimes a whole week. If your depressed, which this can easily happen……find an outlet…..think positive as many are worse off than you…….take time to smell the roses and enjoy it…….talk to your doctor…….research what the doctors want to put you on…..make a list of questions and ask them. Personally, I found an outlet of painting which helped my depression and change of lifestyle. Also, try and find alternative ways of doing things. For example I loved walking my dogs but that became to difficult so I use my scooter to walk the dogs. They are tethered to the scooter and love it. They get out and get exercise and I get out and spend time with my dogs. I hope this helps.

By: jamie

jamie — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 06:53:09 +0000

Kelly, thank you so much for being the voice of many.

By: Noelle

Noelle — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 01:42:02 +0000

Yahoo!!! Way to go!

By: Kelly

Kelly — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 16:12:03 +0000

Thanks, guys.
You are so cool. Like Liz said in her comment (FB), there are more of us… so we WILL be heard.

By: warmsocks

warmsocks — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 16:05:06 +0000

Way to go!

By: Sara

Sara — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 12:05:15 +0000

Go you!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's awesome.

By: MissDazey

MissDazey — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 02:49:36 +0000

You are amazing..keep it up. Do you think that they will add a forum? Or new material? I was thinking when they said talk show format they might have question and answer page.

By: tharr

tharr — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 21:59:32 +0000

You may just be one blogger, but you are truly an RA Warrior! Thanks for standing up for all of us.

Terry