September 19, 2021 was the tenth anniversary of A Rheumful of Suggestions (ART). I can not imagine that it has been ten years since I first printed ART! For many who do not know, it was a each day (sure, each day!) year-long running a blog mission. I shared suggestions, tips and techniques for dwelling life with a power, debilitating and painful illness. From 365 posts it grew to 500 posts after which I simply stored going. I am nonetheless including posts, though much less often.
By ART, I used to be lucky to journey to New York Metropolis, Toronto and take part in final yr’s World Arthritis Day occasion courtesy of Pfizer: #ImagineRA. Because of the generosity of various totally different companies, I used to be capable of provide giveaways for merchandise that make life simpler for these of us fighting on a regular basis duties.
Since then, I’ve learn posts which have taken to coronary heart a few of the issues that I’ve shared. Thanks for accepting, adopting, adapting and studying the right way to stay your greatest self, even within the face of the problem that’s RA! If you find yourself in a greater mind set and physique you do higher. The world is healthier due to it.
Solely a Week of Sore Joints?
Not too long ago, a pal shared how her joints ached for every week post-vaccine. I admit, it was laborious to be fully compassionate. I felt badly that she damage, however for these of us with RA, every week of ache could be like profitable the lottery, a number of instances over. Sure, I do know that ache is relative and that, if it is new to you, or it is uncommon, it is of massive concern to you. Nonetheless…
My hope is that one of many COVID-19 silver linings is that it triggers a better diploma of analysis, remedy and a treatment for auto-immune situations. The spillover impact might find yourself benefitting individuals who have RA, very like how some most cancers medicine (Methotrexate and Remicade, for instance) are used to suppress an overactive and misdirected immune system. However, as a substitute of extra medicine, let’s unravel a dysfunctional immune system; an immune system that decides that it is open season on one’s personal physique.
Pissed off and Extra Than a Little Offended!
A tenth anniversary and I am not precisely within the celebratory temper. It is disheartening that there’s even a necessity for ART and all the opposite supportive websites and organizations world wide. I want I may say that I see a treatment on the horizon. Nonetheless, I do not imagine that there might be one in my lifetime. There’s an excessive amount of at stake. (Sure, I understand that I sound like a Destructive Nelly!)
Not too long ago, I used to be advised that so much has modified in regard to drugs. That is the issue, is not it? Extra drug remedy. Extra immunosuppressants! Ten years of running a blog about this rattling illness, plus forty-four years of dwelling with it. Has something actually modified, aside from dearer drugs? It is a damned in case you do (take them), damned in case you do not situation.
In my HealthCentral slideshow, I talked about acceptance. However perhaps the time for acceptance has come and gone. Should not we demand extra from the analysis? From the stake holders? Is not it time for a treatment?
