How to explain to others . . . .since outwardly we don't look sick.

Hands down, I still like the Spoon Theory, when trying to explain how you feel. Christine Miserandino's The Spoon Theory  This is a useful tool for many, as it can apply to nearly all "invisible" diseases: Fibromyalgia, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Chronic Depression, Lupus, Cancer, etc.  The list is longer than my hands will let me type.

I have a bumper sticker on my car from Zazzle.com, but cannot seem to find it . . . here's one, though Autoimmune Arthritis Awareness bumper sticker from the IAA Movement

I do have a handicapped placard, for use at school and if necessary while out and about.  I have gotten some pretty nasty looks from others, when I park there.  Keep in mind, if there is a non-handicapped spot close by, I will ALWAYS park there. So as to leave the handicapped spot available for someone who may not be as lucky to find a close spot when they need it.  My Bumper Sticker says, If you want to know why I am parking here, ASK.  I am not lazy, I have autoimmune arthritis.  Disability does not have an age requirement.  On good days, I park as far away from the door as possible; taking full advantage of my body allowing me to move without pain (or with little pain, since I am rarely pain free).

Zazzle also has some amusing shirts (note, I am not affiliated with any of these sites financially; I just find them helpful). My favorite is "Today my immune system attacked my own body.  What did yours do?"

It is really hard to explain to someone who really doesn't know anything about autoimmune conditions, how bad things can really be. 

The fact that you're exhausted, which is due to the overwhelming percentage of cytokines going through our blood stream (others feel this when they get the flu or a bad cold with a fever; it is a hallmark of the autoimmune response), without much activity.  Your low grade fever. My joints rarely swell, so it is really hard to tell outwardly that I feel like crap.

Couple this with not having a true diagnosis, or still waiting on a diagnosis, and you may find very few people who understand.  Some may not even believe you (I hope you never have to go through this).
There are so many support groups out there . . . I hope you find one that keep you up, when you are at the bottom . . . Have a great weekend.

Arthritis Awareness

There are so many causes for Inflammatory Arthritis, so many specifics that are not quite understood by science yet.

I really like the RAWarrior.com blog

I found this store this morning  http://www.zazzle.com/awarenessgifts/gifts?cg=196064876863638600

It is snowing and the weather like this usually make me hurt more.  However, yesterday I was dealing with the side effects of my first methotrexate dose.  It wasn't horrible, but it certainly wasn't pleasant. 

So with school starting back up this week, I am planning on my next dose being next Saturday.  That way I have Sunday to recover.  Others have told me, that with time, the side effects will lessen . . .

I really don't care, especially if it is just like yesterday.  I just hope that it works.  Hope my body responds appropriately. Oh what I would do to have a day that I could get out of bed on my terms, not have to schedule to wake up an hour before I need to be moving, so I can walk once I am out of bed.

With the weather today, my feet felt crushed before I even got moving.  Especially during my stretches.  When I got up, it was like walking on broken glass.  Hard to balance.  However, it has been worse.
Have a good weekend all!

The Monster Has a Name

I saw my third rheumy today.  She was recommended by an acquaintance. She seems like a really good fit.  She's a few years older than me.  I just get a good vibe from her.

She says I have Inflammatory Arthritis, that's as close as we can get to a real name and I am okay with that.  I also have Osteoarthritis (which is being exacerbated by the IA) and Secondary Fibromyalgia.

I started Methotrexate today. 10 mg.

It's been 3 hours since I took it.  So far, no GI upset.
So, we'll see.  I follow up in 8 weeks.