National Arthritis Awareness Month

My friend Ryan posted a blog this morning about National Arthritis Awareness Month, and I felt it was appropriate for me to do the same. Ryan suffers from the same thing I do, Juvenile Rheuatoid Arthrits, and we have both had it from a very young age.

For me, my struggle with arthritis started when I was 22 months old. My grandpa noticed that I was walking a little funny and my mom took me in for tests, the final conclusion coming that I have JRA. At first it was just in my knees and ankles, but getting strep throat caused the arthritis to spread to the majority of my joints and as the years went on, I progressively became worse and worse.

As a kid, I was made fun of constantly. Kids don't understand what arthritis is, all the saw was a girl who walked with slight waddle, and as kids do, they pick on the weak ones. I was left out of activities because I could join in, I didn't have very many friends, and I normally kept to myself. I felt more mature then the kids my age, in fact to this day I still do. Going through something like this, having to go to doctor's constantly, being on medications, you grow up quickly. You look at the world a different way. Life as a kid wasn't as carefree and fun, because I had to always be thinking ahead, and I never knew how I was going to feel.

As I got into junior high, I started coming into my own, and the silly, goofy girl I was at home started coming out more, and I became more comfortable with who I was. Kids still teased me, but I had become so used to it that the words and the stares just rolled off my back. I made friends because people started to see me, and they took the time to understand what I was going through. In high school I did things I never thought I would be able to do, like marching band, and I learned that as long as I didn't put the focus on my arthritis, and I showed people who I really am, they would accept me. And they did.

As an adult, the disease has gotten worse. I have joint damage that is irreplaceable, and as of two years ago, my knees finally gave out on me and I am not longer able to walk. I still get the looks, the stares, even the comments. People see a young woman in a chair and don't stop to think what might be wrong, or even ask. They just assume I am mentally handicapped. But again, I let it run off my back. People always compliment me on my positive attiude, but the way I see it, this is just a way of life for me. I have so much more freedom now being in a chair, that I really don't miss walking. Would like be easier, of course, but sitting around feeling sorry for youself, well, that's just letting the disease win. It might have taken over parts of my body, but I will never let it take over my spirit. Its just who I am, its apart of me, but it isn't me. It just makes me unique.

Arthritis is something that people don't consider someone my age or younger ever having. Its always considered an old person's disease. And unfortunatly, many people don't realize just how life changing this disease really is, and how much damage it can do to a person's body. It is truly something that is under the radar, that people don't really think about, but it affects millions, and there are so many people who don't even realize they have it, or take the time to get on the right meds and treatments to help them. Left untreated, this disease will cripple you.

I write this blog today to not make you, the reader, feel bad for me, or pity me. I never want anyone to do that. I write this as a thank you for all my family and friends who have supported me throughout the years, who understand there are days when I just need to rest, and days when I feel the best I've felt in a long time. Who never make me feel different, but treat as part of the gang. I know its not easy having to help me use my ramp to get my chair in and out of the car, and I know it can definitely be a pain, but I appreciate it the assistance from the bottom of my heart. If any of you were in my position, I would be there in a heartbeat to help. I just pray that you never have to go through what I do.

For those that are unfamiliar with arthritis, Ryan posted a great information piece on her blog that I will share with you. Perhaps this will give you a little insight into what we and millions of Americans go through on a daily basis.

Overview

Rheumatoid arthritis (rue-ma-TOYD arth-write-tis) is a chronic disease, mainly characterized by inflammation of the lining, or synovium, of the joints. It can lead to long-term joint damage, resulting in chronic pain, loss of function and disability.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) progresses in three stages. The first stage is the swelling of the synovial lining, causing pain, warmth, stiffness, redness and swelling around the joint. Second is the rapid division and growth of cells, or pannus, which causes the synovium to thicken. In the third stage, the inflamed cells release enzymes that may digest bone and cartilage, often causing the involved joint to lose its shape and alignment, more pain, and loss of movement.

Because it is a chronic disease, RA continues indefinitely and may not go away. Frequent flares in disease activity can occur. RA is a systemic disease, which means it can affect other organs in the body. Early diagnosis and treatment of RA is critical if you want to continue living a productive lifestyle. Studies have shown that early aggressive treatment of RA can limit joint damage, which in turn limits loss of movement, decreased ability to work, higher medical costs and potential surgery.

RA affects 1 percent of the U.S. population or 2.1 million Americans. Currently, the cause of RA is unknown, although there are several theories. And while there is no cure, it is easier than ever to control RA through the use of new drugs, exercise, joint protection techniques and self-management techniques. While there is no good time to have rheumatoid arthritis, advancements in research and drug development mean that more people with RA are living happier, healthier and more fulfilling lives.

Symptoms

Rheumatoid arthritis can start in any joint, but it most commonly begins in the smaller joints of the fingers, hands and wrists. Joint involvement is usually symmetrical, meaning that if a joint hurts on the left hand, the same joint will hurt on the right hand. In general, more joint erosion indicates more severe disease activity.

Other common physical symptoms include

-Fatigue
-Stiffness, particularly in the morning and when sitting for long periods of time. Typically, the longer the morning stiffness lasts, the more active your disease is.
-Weakness
-Flu-like symptoms, including a low-grade fever
-Pain associated with prolonged sitting
-The occurrence of flares of disease activity followed by remission or disease inactivity
-Rheumatoid nodules, or lumps of tissue under the skin, appear in about one-fifth of people with RA. Typically found on the elbows, they can indicate more severe disease activity.
-Muscle pain -Loss of appetite, depression, weight loss, anemia, cold and/or sweaty hands and feet
-Involvement of the glands around the eyes and mouth, causing decreased production of tears and saliva (Sjögren's syndrome)
-Advanced changes to look out for include damage to cartilage, tendons, ligaments and bone, which causes deformity and instability in the joints. The damage can lead to limited range of motion, resulting in daily tasks (grasping a fork, combing hair, buttoning a shirt) becoming more difficult. You also may see skin ulcers and a general decline in health. People with severe RA are more susceptible to infection.

The effects of rheumatoid arthritis can vary from person to person. In fact, there is some growing belief that RA isn't one disease, but it may be several different diseases that share commonalities.