Arthritis Wisdom

Inspired tips and information elevating autoimmune living

Lifestyle

RA is Like It’s Own Version of An X-Game Event

Shows an X-Game Event

Although not snowboarding, rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is like it’s own version of an X-Game Event.

RA Is Like It’s Own Version of An X-Game Event

The Sports Channel ESPN created The X-Games to showcase athletes performing dangerous and radical stunts.  The X is short for “extreme” which the games certainly are.

We had the opportunity to take a ski vacation to Colorado a few weeks ago while the X-Games were taking place.  It made me think about the time, effort, training and daily discipline the athletes put into perfecting and mastering their stunts.

I tried to imagine even having the nerve to attempt what they do, which I don’t begin to have what it takes.  Way out of my safety zone!  That is where my thoughts went to my safety zone, what I can and cannot try to do.  Living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) definitely would not be in my safety zone by choice.  Nope.  Too serious, too scary.

Hence, here is how I see RA is like it’s own version of an X-Game Event.

First, the thought of your body attacking itself is terrifying.  That is what an autoimmune disease does in one way or another.  In the case of RA, it is the joints that get attacked.

Then there is the period of time that you have the symptoms, but haven’t been diagnosed yet.  This can take a bit of time as the symptoms often mimic so many other conditions and there is no one test that nails the diagnosis.  Your body seems unrecognizable.  The pain, fatigue, difficulty moving, strange sensations, swelling.

You may feel like you have the flu forever, but you don’t have the flu.

Then you get the diagnosis and are presented with treatment options.  The medications often have potentially serious side effects.  And what about giving yourself injections?  And what about the cost of it all?

But, RA is progressive and serious itself.  So you decide the disease is worse than the treatment.  You begin treatment.

Great if your body responds in a positive way.  But, you may need to try different medications before you find one, or more, that works for you.

Next, you will need to monitor how effective the therapy is by routine medical appointments and probably routine lab tests.  That is tricky for those with needle phobias and difficulty scheduling these appointments.  After all, jobs, family obligations, logistics can be a challenge to the process.

Furthermore, even when you have symptoms well controlled, the disease reminds you daily that it is still there.  Sensations and little breakthrough symptoms keep you wondering if this is the beginning of a flare.  You know, the full blown symptoms that rock the way you are managing the disease.

So, putting all this together, plus learning your unique triggers and making sometimes drastic lifestyle changes to improve your all over health and RA management, remind me of training for an X-Game event.  Extreme it is!

That is why I’m trying to make my lifestyle changes more of a habit and routine.  So my RA will have the smallest footprint on my day-to-day living.

And that, I believe, is using Arthritis Wisdom!

XXOO Cathy

photo credit:  Travis Colbert at Unsplash

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How My Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosis Put My Body Under Constant Surveillance

Rheumatoid Arthritis Put My Body Under Constant Surveillance

Once I learned of my rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis, I naturally started constant surveillance of my body

How My Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosis Put My Body Under Constant Surveillance

My rheumatoid arthritis (RA) diagnosis has my body under constant surveillance.  I am so observant of what is going on with my body because of it.  I constantly assess how I’m feeling.  Stiff?  Sore?  Fatigued?  I ask myself questions to determine if my body is signally a change in my disease status.

Because I’m dealing with a serious disease, my plan is be aggressive and proactive with treatment.  That means being nimble and able to change courses quickly.

So, what does this constant surveillance look like.  It has two parts.  The first is what my doctor monitors.  The second is what I monitor between appointments to know if what I’m doing is working and then to give as accurate report as possible at the appointment.

What The Doctor Monitors:

At this point I am getting routine lab draws and ultrasound readings of certain joints prior to my appointment to give a peek at what is going on around the joint.  I am as interested in this information as my doctor is.

As a result of these tests, I am comforted to know my kidney and liver are  monitored.  It is comforting to know my blood counts and inflammatory markers are being routinely looked at.  This lowers my stress level concerning my disease.

My doctor inspects my joints by feeling if they are warm and if they are swelled.  She also feels how my appendages are moving around.  This is all important information to indicate if the disease is active and how it physically exerts effect on the joint.

What I Monitor:

Because my body indicates disease activity by pain level, swelling, stiffness and fatigue, that is what I focus on.

Do I wakeup with stiff fingers?  Or legs?  What about pain when I move or touch the joint?  How am I feeling in general are all questions I constantly ask myself.

If I’m stiff or feeling pain I ask myself the 5 questions corresponding with my *FRESH* acronym.  What did I eat?  Have I had 7 to 8 hours of good sleep, and if not, has it been due to discomfort or tending to our sweet pup.  I take note if there is a lifestyle habit I can attribute the symptom to.  If it persists, the doctor will know.

Fatigue is a huge indicator of systemic inflammation.  I can tell my level of fatigue by how much I accomplish and if I am interested in a new project around the house.  I keep a running tab on if I’m feeling under-the-heap or setting goals.

Why this matters

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is progressive and potentially very destructive.  It is systemic, therefore can cause problems with other organs, such as the heart.  Employing a constant surveillance of how I’m feeling allows me to better catch any changes with the disease to better manage it, therefore helping to slow or prevent further damage to my body.

I’d love to hear of your tips to do a constant surveillance of the body.  Please leave a comment to share your wisdom!

Take good care.

XXOO Cathy

photo credit:  Chris Yang of Unsplash

 

 

 

 

 

 

Perfect Time To Start Practicing *FRESH* Finesse

Celebrating with a sparkler the start of *FRESH* Finesse

Celebrating the New Year with a *FRESH* Finesse Start!

Perfect Time To Start Practicing *FRESH* Finesse

Deciding the New Year would be a perfect time to take practicing my *FRESH* acronym to a new level came naturally this year.  It just felt right, which was a surprise as I’m not one for New Years resolutions.

I was feeling weighted down on many levels and looking toward 2020 was a bright, happy thought.  Let’s break it down.

Merriam-Webster defines finesse: skillful handling of a situation : adroit maneuvering

My *FRESH* acronym is my way of skillfully handling my rheumatoid arthritis (RA).  It is changing my lifestyle habits and behaviors in order to give my body the best opportunity to help the biologic I take to manage, or handle my RA.

F is for the Food

Diets frustrate me, so I keep it simple by reading food labels and limit processed foods, added sugar, and added salt.  I was shocked when I first started to discover how many foods marketed as “healthy”, really weren’t!  They may have been low fat, but they were loaded with sugar!  Food allergies and sensitivities further customize food choices, if need be.

Perfect Time for R is for Relaxation

Relaxation means stress reduction.  Stress causes problems all over the place.  But for a person with an autoimmune, it is really a problem.  Our body is designed to kick into gear when we encounter a threat, but it is not designed to function in this mode as a status quo.  We need to resolve the threatening situation and give ourselves a rest.  Some things just need to be let go of.  Do like Elsa from the Frozen movie and “let it go”!

Perfect Time for E is for Exercise

Keep moving!  Build those muscles to support the joints.  One Pilates session a week makes a huge difference for me.  If I miss, my body screams!  I walk my pup and take the long way around the grocery store.  Strengthening my core has helped so I don’t compensate my movement in unhealthy ways creating all sorts of issues.  I’ve also gained an inch in height, seriously, by standing tall!

Perfect Time for S is for Sleep

Sleep provides restoration for our bodies.  At least 7 hours is recommended, but I do best with 8.  I use lots of pillows, as suggested by my physical therapist.  One for my head, one between my knees, and one to rest my arm on while sleeping on my side.  This position keeps me aligned the best.  I have found if I go to bed around 10 pm, I sleep through the night. If I go to bed at midnight, I often have a restless night.  Perhaps I get overtired, just like a baby!  I have a routine, which is called sleep hygiene in my pharmacist world.

Perfect Time for H is for Hydration

Keeping your body hydrated helps lubricate the joints and allows your body to function better by getting nutrients where they need to be and removing toxins and waste.  I aim for about a gallon a day.  Water is best, but any liquid counts.  I use the easy formula of taking your weight in pounds, dividing that number in half, and that gives you the number of ounces of fluid to consume in one day.

Back to the New Year Resolution.  I’m using my *FRESH* acronym to finesse the management of my RA, hence dubbing it *FRESH* Finesse !

What are your resolutions?  It is about a reset, something we can all use from time to time.  Now is a perfect time to do so!

XXOO Cathy

Photo Credit:  Morgan Sessions from Unsplash