Testimonials

I do intensive workouts, weights and aerobics. That’s my part-time job to fighting rheumatoid arthritis. I have challenged every day getting up, starting my day. I'm frustrated when I can’t button certain things, when I can’t zip things, when I can’t dance like I used to be able to dance. I still do my aerobics. I push myself; I challenge myself. I try taking drugs which I think only mass the problem, in my view eating well and exercise is helping me. Seeing the way therapies have improved makes her hopeful for a future.

I was in my twenties when I knew something was not right. I had suffered from neck pain, shoulder pain, feet pain, sore throats and hand problems for months before I decided I needed to see a doctor about a neck ache. The doctor I saw told me my neck issues were stress-induced. I study his answer for a couple of months after most people are stressed? After some research and discovered it was arthritis maybe that was my problem. After a blood test it was discovered that I have inflammation levels in my blood. It was a shock to my family. I never really let on to how much pain I was in or how much my life had become impacted by the suffering I felt in my body. It is extremely painful and mentally exhausting because there is often a chronic illness and there is currently no cure for RA. I have been told to exercise and change my diet which has made a big different.

I was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) ten years ago, at age 14, and was later diagnosed with RA and spondylarthrosis. When symptoms of JIA began, my knees and ankles would swell up so much you couldn’t verify that there was even a joint in the area my knees were the swollen like a tennis ball. I couldn’t tie my shoes or brush my hair, and I couldn’t move my neck without my shoulders moving and when I did, these symptoms soon spread to both knees, my right elbow, my neck, my hips and spine, and my wrists and fingers. I tried chiropractic treatments, massage, and fish oil before finally seeking medical help, which, early on, included regular cortisone injections. At age 18 I began an ongoing trial of various arthritis medications, one after another, I can’t say I wish I never had RA because it has brought me so much pian. I feel that with a chronic disease, I already know it’s going to be hard. I already know I’m going to be in pain every day so I need to manage it! My life with RA hasn’t been easy, but it has made me the person I am today, and I am so grateful for that, my challenges is to exercise which is the new norm.

My name is Jaz, I am 36 years old, and I was diagnosed with RA six months ago. My knee was the swollen big. As an adult, my symptoms primarily are in my ankles, my toes, my hands, and my knees. When people find out I have RA, I get a lot of, "Oh, you poor thing. So reading books and making sure about arthritis helps make it less scary. Finding a rheumatologist can be hard. Don't give up also find someone that you can talk to and that you don't feel guilty saying, "I don't want to be on this medication." Somebody that's willing to educate you and take time with you and really try to figure out what's going to work best for you. If you let your loved ones know that Patience, love, exercise and care can go a long way in making you feel better. I recommend a service that, listening or show an interest with your arthritis. Your life changes a lot, talk to and have somebody there that genuinely cares and wants to know more to help you is the best thing. Staying strong for them and for yourself is probably the best advice I can give…..