Yay for Rheumatoid Day!!
It’s not JUST arthritis and it’s not JUST pain! Rheumatoid is an autoimmune… and your body is constantly trying to kick your own ass. Brilliant!

I’d like to discuss EARLY WARNING SIGNS. Because I knew the signs, knew autoimmune was in my family history, and had a good rapport with my doc, I was very lucky to be diagnosed EARLY. I found an amazing Rheumatologist (docs who specialize in autoimmune) and I keep regular appts. Docs rarely give you the”full story” about symptoms and joining an online patient support group can help you make sense of your Chronic Illness.
In 2010, I first started suspecting there was SOMETHING else besides Chronic Migraine happening. How could CM alone make me so unbelievably EXHAUSTED. All. The. Time!? It just didn’t add up.
After our stressful family move in 2013, I noticed symmetrical joint swelling and soreness and asked my doc for more tests.
I remember I cried when I found out the results… I was happy to have answers but very sad to be diagnosed with a progressive, lifelong disease.
Prayers of strength & validation to the Warriors! 💜💙💜

#RheumatoidArthritis #rheumatoidarthritisawareness #RAAwareness
#ChronicIllness #Automimmune

I mostly focus on my Migraines… they scream for most of my attention! However, RA is ALWAYS ALWAYS present… it definitely makes my migraines more complicated and often it’s difficult to know what’s triggering my exhaustion – RA or CM?? And what does it matter because I can’t get out of bed anyway??😂😂😂
I can’t use my hands the way I used to; trimming rose bushes, chopping food with my knives, even Shutterfly photo booking hurts (track pad)… I have to sit more at parties because I LOVE my shoes too much not to wear them. Stubb’s standing concerts are completely out of the question anymore. I adore my ice and heat booties and heating pad for RA owies. I walk around the house in thick sole shoes because of my RA feet and toes, where I used to be barefoot all the time. Everyone helps me open cans and jars. Every 2 weeks I take my biologic injectable and nightly I take my supplements and meds for RA.
I feel it everyday I get out of bed… my feet feel like they’ll shatter and every joint is screaming. Somehow it is easier to push thru most of the symptoms, whereas a knife in the right side of my brain may bring me to my knees.
Well, actually I usually push through that too.😂

I also think I talk more about CM because it is less understood (everyone knows someone with episodic migraine, but CHRONIC is another beast entirely). CM has a bad stigma and receives a tiny amount of funding.
Whereas, RA is a little more understood by the general public (just a little) and definitely gets more funding and less stigma!

BUT on RA Awareness Day, it’s ALL RA, ALL DAY!😂 💜💙💜 (Sit yourself in the back of the bus, Chronic Migraine!!)