The Faces of Rheumatoid Arthritis

I don’t know about you all, but as hard as I try to stay positive, I have my negative, lonely RA days too. When you wake up in sweltering pain knowing that it’s going to be a difficult day before you even get out of bed in the morning, it’s easy to feel down. On day’s like this, I personally find myself asking myself a million questions. Like, “why was I targeted with this painful chronic disease called Rheumatoid Arthritis? Why do my joints constantly ache? Why can’t I jump out of bed and cease the day like most 29 year olds?” When this happens, I have to remind myself that I’m not fighting this battle alone. Plus, it could be much worse… I could be dying.

With the numerous advances in RA treatment, life can be very close to normal for the 1.3 million Americans living with Rheumatoid Arthritis. But that doesn’t mean we can just sit back and wait for other people to create solutions for this crippling disease. Members of the arthritis community have to stick together and talk about our issues if we ever want to help solve them.

In this next section, I’d like to highlight the journey of a fellow Rheumie from Chicago, named Maureen Niswonger. She represents one of the many positive faces of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Maureen grew up in a healthy, happy home.  Like many kids from Chicago, she began loving baseball before she could really even understand what a home run was. When Maureen was young, her mother was diagnosed with severe Osteoarthritis. Maureen now believes that her mother may have been misdiagnosed all along. She may have actually been a Rheumie too.

In early 1998, Maureen was in her late 40’s when the downward spiral began. Maureen fell and injured her wrist. Next thing she knew, she was admitted into surgery and soon after that, started receiving regular physical therapy treatments. She was constantly in pain. Her hand began swelling. She started getting cortisone injections.

Maureen lived in this state of constant pain over the course of the next two years before she was finally diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. She found herself missing work and rescheduling meetings until she was  treated by one of the head Rheumatologists at Northwestern University.

Maureen tried Methotrexate and when that wasn’t working, her doctor recommended Infliximab infusions, otherwise known as the drug Remicade. Remicade is one of three major TNF (Tumor necrosis factor) inhibitor medications. This drug has been successful in treating Maureen’s Rheumatoid Arthritis for many years. As most Rheumies can relate, we typically find ourselves turning toward several treatment options before finding one that helps get the symptoms under control. In my case, I’ve probably been through 20 different combinations of drugs.

Shortly after finding the treatment plan that best fit her needs, Maureen could again focus on her career along with regular social and physical activities. She contributes her treatment success to healthy eating, regular exercise and the right medication. She now bikes, plays golf, skis and even hiked in Antarctica! How’s that for success and motivation?

I firmly believe that our community of Rheumies have to unite and fight this battle as one. The more we fundraise, generate awareness by sharing our stories and learn about this disease together, the more powerful and effective we can become in making our own lives better. So, if you take anything away from reading my blog, please just know that YOU ARE NOT ALONE.  Let’s stand together and make a difference!!

If you haven’t found relief yet, please know that there is something out there that can and will help alleviate your RA symptoms. It may come in the form of a medication, a special diet, a yoga routine, a hug or a prayer. I just hope you find the treatment plan that works for you sooner rather than later so you can enjoy most of your days, if not all of them.  

What is your RA story? What methods of treatment do you find most successful?