I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis about 5 years ago. It is not a new disease to me though. I grew up with my grandmother suffering from it. I do mean suffering because there wasn’t any treatment that worked for her at that time. (She’s been gone now for about 15 years.) I also have other family members with RA.
It is an inflammatory disease that affects the lining of my joints. The main joints that are affected on me are my ankles, knees, hips and fingers. It is very painful and can lead to my fingers or toes getting deformed. The pain can be intolerable at times. My fingers swell so much sometimes that I can’t wear my wedding and engagement rings.
Treatments focus on preventing the pain, inflammation and the progression of the disease. I began using Celebrex but didn’t get enough relief. I was also on Azulfidine but it still wasn’t enough. Now I’m on Humira injections and Azulfadine. I am doing much better. Flare ups are much less often and the pain is not so bad. I cannot take Humira if I have any type of a cold or cough though. I hurt so much when I’m not using the Humira so I know the difference.
I am also easily tired and it hurts a lot in the morning. I have to stay away from people who are sick. I do volunteer when I’m able to do so, at my daughter’s school, but I have to be very careful of being around the children as they can make me sick. I often get depressed due to being unable to do so many of the things I used to do before my diagnosis. I can’t walk long distances or run at all.
When I read or hear about drug companies discussing Rheumatoid Arthritis I feel like someone “gets it”. I want to share the information with friends who don’t understand what my life is like. I especially like the ads for Humira and Embrel. The commercials and magazine ads are truthful about this disease and the treatments, including the side effects.
If I were to make an ad for a treatment, I would make a television commercial and show portions of a day of a person with RA not on treatment and then a person on treatment to show the difference of how much better you can feel using one of these drugs. I would be sure to show that you are not cured but you can feel better.
Wow, Connie – I never knew you had RA. My dad has it and it has been a very hard road. I’m sorry that you have it, too. {{{{Connie}}}}
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Lisa Marie Mary, I have that and so many other autoimmune stuff. Thanks for the concern. I hope your Dad is on a treatment that helps him.