Tag Archives: chronic pain

Well, I am a fairly new fighter although the doctors have explained that I have had this disease for several years. The MRIs and bone scans indicate that the damage to my hips and spine began approximately 4 years ago. I was blessed to spend those first 3 years fairly …

I was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus in September 2010. I spent the entire weekend in the bed, depressed and throwing myself a pity party. Until I thought about it; I have never been a quitter; and I’ve always led by example. I was only 27 at the time and, you …

“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 …

I’m sitting on my front porch, enjoying the quiet sounds of summer and clicking away on my laptop. In the last few months I lost sight of who and what are important to me and it took a recent very difficult situation to cause me to step back, evaluate, and adjust …

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 …

Many people who suffer from not only ankylosing spondylitis, but also other autoimmune disorders are familiar with these four words. The problem with the question is that there is no simple answer. For me, my symptoms can change daily. For example, yesterday I couldn’t turn my neck, but today my …

How ironic is it that one of my favorite bands is Life of Agony? Never in a million years would I think I would end up living a life of agony. I am not just speaking of the physical pain, but of the emotional pain that goes along with suffering …

My name is Shalina Tovar and I battle Lupus, a kidney disease. I have been fighting like a girl since May of 2005 which is when I was officially diagnosed. My Lupus has caused my left hip to fail. I’ve been dealing with avascular necrosis of the hip since 2009 and now …

I had a doctor growing up who nicknamed me Mona Lisa. He said I hid behind my smile. I was a mystery to some doctors partly because if they asked how I felt, I would grin and respond with, “I’m fine.” He would say that he could see the wheels …

When a person lives with Ankylosing Spondylitis or other chronic illnesses, we find ourselves holding on to hope, facing despair, and constant challenges. We embrace the hurdles. First, because we have no choice knowing we can never give up. Second, and no less important, because we are willing to carry …