Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Stories

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Laura’s Fight Like A Girl Story (Fibromyalgia and Rheumatoid Arthritis)

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May
24
2013
Laura's Story (Fibro and RA)LR

My Name is Laura Kelly-Pifer and I have fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis. I was diagnosed over 8 years ago and it’s been quite a journey. In the beginning, I experienced mild pain. Then over the course of the last few years, my pain increased. There were times that it would take 2 – 3 hours to get out of bed, and every time I took a step, it felt like I was walking on glass. My life was miserable. I was tired of being put on multiple medications and feeling like a zombie. Friends began to recognize for once that I was sick. I decided to try and regain control by changing the way I did things. I had been exercising and eating fairly healthy, but it was hit or miss. I began researching specific foods to eat, modified my workouts, and began a routine that worked for me. By December of 2011 I was completely off ALL of my medication. It was truly a miracle!! To date, I’ve only had one flare this year and it was mild. I recognized it coming on and took action by listening to … [Read more...]

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Kristen’s Fight Like a Girl (Rheumatoid Arthritis, Endometriosis, Narcolepsy)

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May
10
2013
Kristen's Story (RA) LR

I am 28 years old, and to the world, I look perfectly healthy. Except for some very scary scars, you would never know how much my body has endured. At 16, I was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, after the doctors first told me I had lupus. Not long after, I was being admitted to the out-patient cancer center every few weeks for low dose chemo treatments to slow the progression of my disease. I was also taking more pills than I had ever seen in my life. Instead of going to class every day, the local school board sent a teacher to my home 3 times a week. By 18, I was receiving steroid injections in my back for pain control. During my college and graduate school years, my tonsils and adenoids were removed, I had more MRIs and CT scans than I could possibly count, and saw more doctors than the phone book ever dreamed of knowing. It was briefly thought that I may have stomach cancer, and for 2 weeks, I lived in pure fear. A month later I was diagnosed with endometriosis. I … [Read more...]

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Frances’ Fight Like a Girl Story (Rheumatoid Arthritis)

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May
06
2013
Frances's Story (RA)

My story begins like many others. In July of 2008, I dislocated and broke my ankle. Needless to say, I was put on medical leave as I was working in a plastic molding company which included twelve hour shifts of walking around on a cement floor. After my so-called recovery from the break lingered on, I was "dismissed" from my job. Because (unbeknownst to me) my recovery WOULDN’T happen!! I had no clue on that fateful day in July that my life would be forever changed by a dreaded auto-immune disease, and that this nightmare was only beginning. I was never one to go to the doctor much. But finally in 2011 after almost three years of nonstop pain, swelling of joints, fatigue, and over all discomfort, and at the encouragement of my husband, I went to my regular doctor. She proceeded to tell me "I’m going to run some simple tests and we will see what comes up". I was then scheduled for an appointment the next month. To my surprise, she called me the following week saying I had to come … [Read more...]

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Stephanie’s Fight Like a Girl Story (Rheumatoid Arthritis)

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Apr
26
2013
Rheumatoid Arthritis Ribbon (Temporary)

10 years ago this coming summer, I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. I was already dealing with diabetes type 2, Hashimoto’s disease (thyroid disease), polycystic  ovarian syndrome, asthma and allergies. The diagnosis for rheumatoid arthritis came as a shock. How I was diagnosed is something else. I had not been feeling good for a few days, and I had flu like symptoms. Then one morning I couldn’t move even my pinky toe without wanting to scream. I was like that for 3 days. My husband became concerned and said 'This can’t be flu. You are going to the doctor'. So to the doctor I went. They had to help me walk in the office! The results from the blood work came back with the results telling me I had rheumatoid arthritis . I didn’t really know what rheumatoid arthritis meant. Over these 10 years, I have learned what it means. The first rheumatologist I saw was wonderful. He was very knowledgeable, very informative, and helpful. I saw him for about a year, then he … [Read more...]

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Ebony’s Fight Like a Girl Story Part 2 (Chronic Pain)

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Feb
20
2012
Ebony's Fight Like a Girl Story Part 2 (Rheumatoid Arthritis)

So, I have been here before…sharing my FLAGC story about RA. Since that post, my story has changed. I received a phone call from my doctor that left me in tears, then ready to press on. As of today, I don't have answers as far as my diagnosis, but I'm finding my way back from square one! The following is from a blog post in September; I decided to continue sharing my story so others won't be discouraged by their present situation. " I ask not for a lighter burden, but for broader shoulders." This was one of the first quotes I clung to when I first made the choice to speak up about my illness. I knew it was going to take a lot of God's guidance, faith, and guts. I have reached many cross roads over the last year: raising my son, getting laid off, losing insurance, my condition getting worse, finding "the right doctor", trying to uncover the best pain management, looking for work, applying for this and that while keeping a smile on my face and saying "I'm okay". This … [Read more...]

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Ebony’s Fight Like a Girl Story (Rheumatoid Arthritis RA)

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Jul
30
2011
Ebony's Story (Rheumatoid Arthritis)

"We’re only here (on Earth) for a little while…take this (Plaquenil) and come back in three months." This is what I heard after a year of testing, x-rays, blood work, CAT scans, poking and prodding, finally leading to the diagnosis of RA aka rheumatoid arthritis. Living in a rural community, resources are limited and folks (including medical professionals) have limited information for inquisitive people like me who need to know ’who, what, when, where, and of course…why.’ After a few months of personal research and basically begging for referrals, I embark on a new chapter in this long journey.  The biggest lesson I’ve learned so far: we have to be our own advocates in the doctor's office and in life.  We may have limited time on this planet but it doesn’t mean we have to sit on the sidelines. Go. Fight. Win! Ebony Viginia Submitted 6-3-11 The informational content of this article is intended to convey a personal experience and, because every person’s … [Read more...]

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Linda’s Fight Like A Girl Story (Rheumatoid Arthritis)

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May
22
2011
Linda's Story (Rheumatoid Arthritis)

Rheumatoid Arthritis hurts! I found that out 3 years ago when I was finally diagnosed - the pain had a REAL name! RA has forced me to leave my job as a teacher aide in a home for very disturbed youth. I am permanently disabled now and miss working with kids I really enjoyed helping. I can't do many things that I once took for granted - holding, opening, pulling items that are used daily. I have been on many meds, Prednisone, Methotrexate, Humira and Remicade to name a few. Unfortunately, their side effects outweighed the benefits. Life is tough, but I am tougher!! We, as women, need to support each other no matter what the illness is. We are the Sisterhood of Support for all those who suffer! Linda New York Submitted 3-20-11 The informational content of this article is intended to convey a personal experience and, because every person’s experience is unique, should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional healthcare advice. … [Read more...]

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Madison’s Power Story (Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis JRA)

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Dec
06
2010
Madison Juvenile RA

Hi, I'm Madison. I saw my friend post something in here about her Lupus so I thought it was time for me to share my story. Though I do not have lupus, I have arthritis in every joint and it causes many pains. I'm 14 years old (soon to be 15) and a freshman in high school. I have had my arthritis since I was in 5th grade (4years). Being in high school with arthritis can be challenging. Many do not know what it is, or why I have it at such a young age. People are always wondering why I get off easy in gym or why teachers give me extra time while doing writing assignments. They do not know why I'm on so much medication or why I go to the hospital every other month. I think this is because I do not open myself up enough and they don't open their minds to the possibility of a young girl having arthritis in every joint. When I was first diagnosed with JRA so many people in school thought that if they touched me they would get it or that my disease was deadly - for the record, ARTHRITIS … [Read more...]

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