The Girl With Arthritis

You may already know that I take Enbrel for arthritis. You may also know that it's working rather well- granted, I have my bad days but overall my symptoms are more manageable and I get no unpleasant side effects. However, what you did not know was that due to some bad planning ahead I am going to be without Enbrel for about a week and a half. Unfortunately it takes a week without Enbrel to experience symptoms at full force, and takes a week after starting again to get relief. This is going to be a fun three weeks. So, in honour of my 'miscommunication' with the pharmacy, I present to you now the 'My Meds Ran Out' survival guide. Back-Up . Make sure you have any NSAIDs your doctor prescribed or are otherwise able to take. Keep them close by in case you need them. Also, if it helps, write down what times you took them so you know when it should begin to wear off and when it's safe to take another if you need it. Fire and Ice . Have your ice packs and hea...

At the moment, I'm wondering if I cut my foot off at the ankle joint, would the arthritis there be gone or would I have half as much pain? Either way, it sounds extremely appealing. I marvel at the strength of the human body. It's amazing what we can put it through. What's more amazing is what it can put us through. I find it strange how one can be in so much pain but manage to get up and do what needs to be done. Whether they've got a slight limp or have to drag themselves on the furniture to stay up. And just staying half awake is a miracle on some days, and what an amazing strength that is when your body needs the healing power of sleep.  But our bodies are not indestructible. We must take good care of them. In the summer, it's easier to forget  that we are in control of how we treat our bodies. So please be kind to your body this summer: Don't force yourself into cold water (whether at the beach or pool). For me, cold water is extremely painful. ...

Arthritis is different for everyone. Different people respond differently to treatment. Some people can be in the same amount of pain but tolerate it very differently. And no two cases of arthritis are exactly the same. My arthritis is not the same as another's. For example, I cannot tolerate bathing or swimming in cold water. It's a proven fact that those with autoimmune arthritis feel cold, heat and pain more than those without it. And I know it's the case with me. While some people may mention that, say, a swimming pool is cold when they dunk their feet in, I feel cold and pain. My muscles tighten and I can feel an ache that goes deep into my muscles, as if my bones were ice. Like I said, we all react differently.