Dipping My Feet Into the Social Pool

When weekends come, I look forward to catching up on sleep. I might see my nieces, read book with them. Or, take my car to the car wash. I don't venture far from home, knowing that I usually tire easily. Overall, my arthritis has been better since the Euflexa injections. I just battled a flare last week, but the weather was adjusting here and we all know how that goes.

My friend Rachel called on Saturday and said that her work had given her tickets to a Kings preseason basketball game. She said she doesn't like basketball, but hated for the tickets to go to waste. I'm actually a fan, and something made me say yes. I picked her up early and we decided to go into town for a snack before the game. I had fries that were deep fried in duck fat. Sounds gross, but they're really good. We were sitting at a large table outside, and a group of guys asked if their party could join us. One ended up talking to me for awhile, and asked for my number. Another guy was drunk and was showing me pictures of his cute little girl. The game was good, but long. I love basketball, and live games are the best. But, the seating is not made for people with RA. Seats are hard and not a lot of leg room. I don't drink often, and Rachel is a recovering alcoholic. So, it was nice that there wasn't any pressure for either of us to drink. We did have coffee at the game, and I was worried I would have trouble sleeping. But, I didn't.

I woke up this morning, tired of course because I was out late last night from the basketball game. I'm getting sick. I always feel like I need to blame it on something. Like, I did too much. Or, that I was out too late last night. Maybe it's just a simple cold and will go away soon. I'm all sniffly, achy, with a awful headache. Oh, and earaches. I just took some tylenol cold. Yuck. I hate when I'm sick. I don't want to miss any work this week!!!

Sticks And Stones

I'm pretty open about my RA, sharing my symptoms, flares and I'm sure it often sounds like a pity party. I share on social media for several reasons. One, it's MY outlet. Second, I have friends, family and fellow RA'ers that actually do support me. And lastly, I share to educate. I want other people to know what I go through. That's it's not just a "old person's" disease.

This past week, as on here, I have talked about this most recent flare on Facebook. Here's my actual post:

 So.Much.Pain. Make it stop. Seriously. RA can kiss my big manicured pink toe.


Soon after that, a friend of mine posts about her fibromyalgia and how the pain is all mental. She says she can push through it all if she just tells herself to. Everyone was praising her and congratulating her. I commented and asked about her symptoms and meds. It just stung because she made me feel like I've given up. I can't control RA pain. Believe me, if I could, I would! And fibro isn't autoimmune, so the fight is a little different. I'm not trying to one-up her, I'm just still hurt that someone would think RA pain is so simple. Especially when she's seen me when I can't move my hands, You can't push through that.

RA Drains Me

I was waiting until this morning to decide if I would stay home from work or not. My body decided for me. I have zero energy, my head is killing me and I just feel achy all over. I've slept all day, yet I still can't get out of bed. I did manage to get up to brush my teeth and get some caffeine.

It's funny, we have a little chihuahua. She's a quiet little dog, but I feel like she always senses when I don't feel good because she'll come and lay with me. I guess animals are just smart.

Tomorrow is my busy day at work. Every Wednesday, we see patients all day long. I'm on my feet all day. I look forward to it because I love my patients. Right now, I have no idea how that's going to happen. I don't even have the energy to drive to work.

Rain Brings Flares

I feel a flare coming on. The weather is slightly changing, it's supposed to rain on Wednesday. My body aches, I feel like I'm sick. My knees are not happy. Fatigue has set in. I have a low grade temp. Now, I guess I just sit back and brace myself and wait for it to pass? No. As I get older, I try my hardest to live as normal of a life as I can. "Normal". What is normal to a RA'er anyway? I guess I try not to be like a sick person. BUT, I know my limits. When it gets to a certain point, I have to stop and take care of myself. Normally, putting myself to bed. I try really hard to not miss any work. I'll have to wait until morning to see how I feel to determine that! Sometime, I'll compromise and work 6hrs instead of 8 or just shorten my day somehow to make me feel good for working and also know that I'm getting rest. My bed is now calling me, and its dinner time. Who wants dinner when fatigue yells louder?!

Blogs

I'm finding that I'm getting more and more views on my blog. Yet no comments or emails. It would be so helpful to know what people think of what I'm going through. I love feedback.

If anyone has questions about RA or my experience, please feel free to ask. I have had RA since I was 5 and I'll be 37 this year. I've had my share of doctors, medication, and testing.

arthritisgirl@gmail.com

Living A Scared Life

I received my last gel injection on 9/30/14. But, I started feeling better on 9/20/14-just 2 days after the first injection. I am so grateful for this type of treatment. Yet, I'm laying in bed watching movies on a Saturday. I don't know how to NOT live a sick life. Not only that, I also fear that if I do too much, because I feel well, I'll start hurting again. That pain was the worst pain I have ever felt in my life. And, I thought about dating again. Dating is so hard with RA. I rarely drink, if I do, it's usually special occasions. And, going out to dinner is hard because I try to get to bed between 7-8 during the week.

I'm going to work on trying to be "normal" as I feel better. It's so hard. It's also scary. I fear the future. I don't know what this disease holds.