Comments on: Rebecca http://www.rheumatoidarthritisguy.com/2011/12/rebecca/ Thu, 03 Sep 2015 17:55:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=4.3 By: Rebecca http://www.rheumatoidarthritisguy.com/2011/12/rebecca/#comment-21953 Tue, 24 Feb 2015 17:08:16 +0000 http://www.rheumatoidarthritisguy.com/2011/12/rebecca/#comment-21953 UPDATE: A few years have passed since writing this. In the last few years, my jaw has continued to deteriorate. I am currently waiting for a call from the oral surgeon. My rheumatologist hopes, but isn’t sure, that there will be a surgery that can help it.

I have totally given up on mtx- I was on it for a few months.. twice. It didn’t work, and just made me sick. I now take enbrel injections and leflunomide. I’m still active, but it has reduced the progression. These meds still have side effects, but they pale in comparison to the side effects methotrexate gave me.

I have started to need a cane on rare occasions, but since starting enbrel (I have been on it for almost a year now), I don’t need it as much.

I can’t work in the conventional sense, so I now have thrown myself into fundraising. I do so in my grandfather’s memory. He, too, had RA, and passed away at the age of 64 due to rheumatoid lung disease. As a result, everything I do for RA is in his memory. This June, I will be walking 5km in the Fight Against Arthritis in Ottawa! I am going to rent a wheelchair in case I can’t complete the walk on my own, but I’m going to do everything I can to avoid the chair.

]]> By: Rebecca http://www.rheumatoidarthritisguy.com/2011/12/rebecca/#comment-5380 Tue, 06 Dec 2011 13:19:35 +0000 http://www.rheumatoidarthritisguy.com/2011/12/rebecca/#comment-5380 Hey Vanessa! I actually plan on attending the Ottawa one in March! I can’t wait (:
And HayWire0831- I’m glad you found it insightful! That was my reason for submitting it (: It’s very important to ask questions: doctors know about RA what they learn in textbooks, and the symptoms they see displayed in their office. Most rheumies don’t see a child in bed, crying, because they’re in so much pain. Rheumies are just people with education, and we need to help further educate rheumatologists by giving them the practical experience, “No, you’re wrong, the medication isn’t making me feel better, and my RA is hurting worse” gives them.

]]> By: HayWire0831 http://www.rheumatoidarthritisguy.com/2011/12/rebecca/#comment-5374 Mon, 05 Dec 2011 22:34:46 +0000 http://www.rheumatoidarthritisguy.com/2011/12/rebecca/#comment-5374 Rebecca,

This is incredibly insightful. My favorite part was the advice you gave to others with RA. I doubt myself too often, but you’re right. I know when something is wrong and I tend to believe the “professionals”. I won’t doubt myself again. Thank you so much!

]]> By: Vanessa http://www.rheumatoidarthritisguy.com/2011/12/rebecca/#comment-5371 Mon, 05 Dec 2011 17:03:28 +0000 http://www.rheumatoidarthritisguy.com/2011/12/rebecca/#comment-5371 Hey Rebecca! Thank you so much for sharing. I noticed that you do yoga when you can. Since you’re in Ontario like me, maybe this would be an event you’d like to be part of? http://www.powerofmovement.ca/en/home/
A yoga fundraiser to help raised money and awareness for Arthritis in canada. I’ve done in 3 years now, and I have such AMAZING support. http://beatarthritis.akaraisin.com/POM2012Vaughan/VanessaV

feel free to follow me on twitter if you’d like @sesssa

Thanks again!

Vanessa

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