Rheumatoid Arthritis: Making Blogging Painful
Joint pain in my hands and wrists has been making typing on this laptop (and a lot of other things) somewhat problematic over the last few weeks. Usually when this kind of thing happens to me it only lasts a couple of days, and I generally try to ignore it. I’m not at all excited about the prospect of having any additional medical problems.
Although my doctor believes I may have Rheumatoid Arthritis and would like me to get the blood-work to confirm it…I’m resisting. Instead, I’ve agreed to at least use Tylenol and take other (non-medical) measures to reduce the pain and swelling. Obviously, if things get worse, I will follow my doctors advice and see a Rheumatologist.
Until then…
One thing I’m going to try is to incorporate more anti-inflammatory foods into my diet. A few weeks ago I wrote about the benefits of an anti-inflammatory diet, and I think it’s definitely something I should try.
I also plan on checking out a lot more blogs written by women with arthritis.
Sara from The Single Gal’s Guide To Rheumatoid Arthritis…
Determined that there were other young, single women dealing with this awful disease on their own who were unwilling to let it take over their lives without a nasty fight, I sat down at my computer one day and began to tell my story.
Hence, The Single Gal’s Guide to Rheumatoid Arthritis was born, and through it I have been able to connect with many others with RA who value standing up to this disease and trying to find some humor in the experiences it produces.
I am currently managing my RA successfully through several amazing medications and supplements and am figuring out how to make RA work with my life (and vice versa). In addition to writing this blog, I am the author of the comic strip, Single in the City….with Rheumatoid Arthritis, drawn by Jane Samborski, at MyRACentral.com
Angela from Never A Dull Moment…
Writer mama, wife of 15 years & bookkeeper for Carl’s sole proprietorship. I developed RA at age 20, bringing new meaning to “life is what happens when you’re making other plans.”
Sheryl from Arthritis Friend…
I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis when I was 25 years old. As a writer, and an avid seeker of health information and life hacks, I have launched ArthritisFriend.com as a means to share nuggets of wisdom I’ve gained over the years and to connect with others who battle arthritis or related diseases.
My goal is to create a cozy place where arthritis warriors of all ages can consume health hacks, wellness tips, gadget reviews, and more.
From angelawd…
Many people know I live with an illness; I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) last Christmas. So often when people ask about my disease, they immediately say, “Oh yeah, arthritis, my grandma had it real bad.” But
RA is not the same as osteoarthritis, the ‘wear and tear’ kind of joint problems that many people get later in life. RA is an autoimmune disease, which means your body is attacking itself. One of the first places attacked is the joints of your hands and feet, then larger joints like knees and shoulders, then it starts in on the important organs like heart, lungs, and liver.
By Deborah Norville, Emmy award-winning journalist and host of Inside Edition
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is something very personal for me. My mom had RA. She was diagnosed when I was ten and the larger part of my childhood was colored by the stark reality that my mother had a chronic, debilitating disease.
Also See:
- New Way RA – Rheumatoid Arthritis Talk Show
- From WebMD – Rheumatoid Arthritis – Overview
- Rheumatoid Arthritis Warrior
- Pens and Needles
Are you a woman blogging about (or suffering with) Rheumatoid Arthritis? What advice do you have for someone newly diagnosed with RA? Has anyone had success treating this condition using methods other than prescription medications? All advice, information, and links welcome.
*photo from Lehigh Valley Health Network
**cross posted at BlogHer Health & Wellness
Comments
Comment from Arthritis
Time: December 23, 2009, 6:25 pm
There’s no doubt that adding certain foods to your diet can reduce inflammation and will improve how you feel as well as help to decrease your risk for chronic diseases. However its always a good idea to work along side a nutritionist.
Comment from Grace Wessel
Time: February 24, 2010, 1:24 pm
Well, I am 73 years old. I am beginning to be less and less surprised when I develop yet another symptom of growing older.
Today, I noticed small lumps on the side of my finger joints. Very small lumps on three fingers o far
As of now, I have had cancer surgeries on my nose, gallbladder removed, kidney stones stuck in the top of the uretheter – nearly killed me, major nasal surgeries, three ear surgeries, a bladder reattached, partial hysterectomy, have high triglycerides, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.\
So far, these three small little lumps don’t seem so tragic, yet. I am sure there are more old age problems to come. I forget simple words oce in a while.
Good luck, and good health to all.
Comment from Sabrina
Time: August 26, 2010, 1:49 pm
My mom suffers from this diseas for already 10 yeas, and I know what it means…sometimes I feel strange pain in the joints of my hands…I am very afraid to have Ra in the future, next week I will try creo therapy, I heard it helps.
Comment from oscar @ arthritis pain relief
Time: November 23, 2010, 10:22 pm
Thanks for the great post about rheumatoid arthritis. Your post brought up a lot of interesting points about typing and blogging that I haven’t thought about. I’m looking forward to reading a lot more of your site in the future.
Comment from joint pain
Time: October 30, 2009, 10:20 pm
Symptoms of arthritis include pain and limited function of joints. Inflammation of the joints from arthritis is characterized by joint stiffness, swelling, redness, and warmth. Tenderness of the inflamed joint can be present. Loss of range of motion and deformity can result