10-12-10
13 Oct 2010 3 Comments
in Tips
World Arthritis Day was yesterday, October 12. I was originally planning on writing an entry devoted to arthritis awareness, and then posting a link to it on my Facebook so my friends could learn about arthritis, but I changed my mind.
I have had a lot more problems with nerves in my right forearm. I’ve had to miss a lot of school and actually stayed at my parent’s house for a while. I went to my rheumatologist who then decided it must be my swollen wrist compacting nerves, so she prescribed me predinsone (I’ve been wondering when I’d get my turn at this drug…). My friends had been concerned, and they knew I was getting pretty bummed about the situation. More crap to deal with, more missed classses, yadda yadda. They were very supportive, and while talking with them I realized their knowledge of RA was beyond impressive.
When I was first having problems, they would ask, “Do you think it’s broken? Or is it the RA?” With these two comments, I realized this particular friend knows the symptoms of RA well enough to understand I might be flaring, and they said “RA” instead of “arthritis,” which can have different connotations to people without RA.
Another friend asked me about how it would impact school. They realized the effects the disease has on me.
Other friends knew I needed cheering up. One constantly reassured me, and told me that they didn’t hope everything would be okay, but that everything WOULD be okay. Another suggested I go play in the rain. The rain????? I’ve hated that junk for almost five years now. It always makes me feel louzy. That’s how I usually feel about rain. But this time I trusted my friend, slipped my rainboots on, and went splashing through puddles for a good twenty minutes. And it was FUN!
While at the doctor’s, I was texting my friends to let them know things as I found them out. I thought it was so sweet that they all wanted to hear from me, but I was really taken aback when I found out that these friends were texting each other to make sure they all heard. Wow!
Arthritis awareness among my friends is completely unnecessary. It didn’t happen overnight, but my friends now have a good understanding of RA and what I need from them when I’m flaring. I’m incredibly lucky to have such great people in my life who care about me enough to learn about this disease.
I know many of you feel like no one understands what you’re going through, and that you can only get support from others with RA. But I think this is proof that this is not the case. It’s gonna take some time, and you’re going to have to forgive them if they do not understand sometimes or if they get something wrong. But good friends care about each other, and even when they get things wrong they’re still trying, so don’t give up on them. With a little work on both ends, you can have a loving support group, too. Awareness should start with those closest to you.
Magnets: Myth or Medicine?
07 Oct 2010 5 Comments
in Tips Tags: magnet treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, magnets, magnets and arthritis, magnets and chronic pain, magnets and RA
This past weekend was the annual arts and crafts fair in Hot Springs. I hadn’t been able to go for the past two years for various reasons, so I was extremely excited to go with my Mom on Friday. We didn’t have long (it seems like we always get there late) but we managed to find a few fun things. One thing I didn’t think I would see was a huge yellow sign reading: Magnetic Therapy! For back pain, migranes, carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, restlessness, sinus problems…
Wait a minute…did that sign say rheumatoid arthritis?
Of course that caught my eye. I had heard of magnetic therapy and was open to learning more about it and possibly trying it, if only for the sake of crossing another remedy off the list of possibilities. The guy at the booth was wearing a magnet necklace, bracelet, and he said (although I didn’t see for myself) that he was wearing one on each ankle as well. He handed my mom and I a pamphlet. According to the pamphlet, magnetic therapy “works with the iron found in the hemoglobin of our blood. Research tells us it acts as a catalyst to improve chemical reactions occurring in our body. It aids in increased oxygen carrying capacity, blood circulation, and decreasing inflammation.” It does go on to say that magnetic therapy itself in not a cure and should never replace treatment from qualified medical professionals.
I ended up getting a double stranded bracelet for my right wrist (my worst joint, generally, and also the first joint that was affected by RA). The particular bracelet I got has triple strength magnets, according to the man at the booth. How am I supposed to know it’s anymore powerful than the others? Well, I don’t. So he very well could have been lying, but I was okay with taking that chance.
I was instructed to only take the bracelet off when showering or working on the computer, but at all other times to wear it, even when going to bed. He told me that some people see a change in 24-72 hours, but to give it at least a week before writing it off completely. He also said that if the bracelet was of no benefit to me that I could mail it back and receive a full refund.
When I first put it on it made my wrist feel funny. It felt like when I was a kid and I’d wear a bracelet while I rode my bike. The vibrations from the handlebars made my arms and therefore the bracelet vibrate too. It wasn’t painful at all, but maybe a little uncomfortable. It didn’t last very long, though, and even when I take the bracelet off to shower that feeling doesn’t come back.
It is very difficult to get off, though.
It’s been a little over 48 hours so far and I’m not sure that I’ve seen any change so far. I’m not giving up yet, though. I’m committed to see this bracelet experiment through for at least a week, and I might go as far as to try two weeks. I guess that’s because I really want it to work. And if it does, I’m going to purchase a necklace, anklets, and another bracelet. Lol! I’m being sure not to get my hopes up, as I’ve had way too many let downs in the RA department.
But, as I said earlier, if anything this will be another RA remedy to cross off my list of things to try. I’ll update in a week as to how the magnets have performed, and I’ll let you know if you should buy one or not. :)
Getting On My Nerves
30 Sep 2010 5 Comments
in Uncategorized Tags: nerve entrapment, nerve pain, nerves and rheumatoid arthritis, pain, Rheumatoid Arthritis, swelling from RA
Instead of sharing some of my experiences today, I’m asking you about yours.
In the four, almost five years I’ve had RA, it’s never effected any nerves. A couple nights ago I was typing a lot, and my right wrist began to swell some. I kept typing, and eventually I started to notice that the skin around my wrist and ulna bone was extremely sensitive. I’m not quite sure how to describe it, really, because it wasn’t exactly painful but it wasn’t pleasant either. It almost felt like a tingling sensation, but not.
My mom thought it was carpal tunnel at first, but after googling it I found out that carparl tunnel effects your palm and thumb more than anything. Then I started to wonder if the swelling in my wrist had pinched a nerve.
It seems to be better today, although my wrist is still a little swollen and at times the sensation comes back.
Do any of you experience something similar?
