RA like to have responds

by lori umbarger
(newport, washington)

I don't have a picture to show. I just turned 49 and learned I have RA.

In the last five months before going to the doctor. I have had numbness in my hands and knees down to my feet.

One day about five months ago my right knee started to hurt really bad and swell up the following day. I just had finished a 40 mile relay a week before. So I thought it was just from over uses.

After five months of no improvement and alot of pain I went to find out what was wrong.

I thought I might have gout because it runs in the family. To my surprise the doctor called me right away and said it was RA.

Since then I have noticed other parts of my body having lumps and increase of pain. This has brought on a lot of depression because I am a strong person and very active.

It is really hard for me to do alot of normal activity without alot of pain.

I am on meds for it but am still having trouble dealing with pain. My question to all of you, is the depression causing the extra pain?

Please respond to me at this address or jezzyandbullet@gmail.com

thanks,

Lori

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Sep 26, 2015
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good post
by: Mahbub89

Well! I become disappoint after read this post which is about your health. I think if you consult last five months ago to the doctor then you don't have RA and a lot of other pain as well. But you did not do so and try different activities. Actually, I like to write me an essay that is close to famous one but when i got this like to suggest you that you must go to doctor and fully consult about it.

Sep 10, 2015
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Response to Lori
by: Susan

Hi Lori, when I was reading your post it was like I was reliving my own story..I was very active, the pain got worse and worse, I am on the meds........that could have been me.

So, where I'm going with this is, for those of us who are very active, did anyone tell you to be careful and to take minerals. I really wonder if part of my problem was because I was so active, and when we sweat we are depleting our bodies of the trace minerals that we need so badly but are difficult to get in a normal diet.

I'm not trying to sell anything....it's just my belief that for those of us who are very active, or sweat alot, we need extra trace minerals. More than we get in a normal diet.

I did take supplements everyday for 15 years, I still use Himalayan sea salt because I get trace minerals from that, and I take a sea based liquid supplement. I'm not thrilled with the results so I don't talk about what it is, but it helps more than not taking it.

I do recommend everyone take supplements, for the very active minerals at least.

Jul 05, 2010
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Althea
by: Anonymous

I have a question. Can fresh strawberries cause a flare up of osteo-arthritis?

Mar 05, 2010
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What to do about the depression
by: Susan

Hi Teresa, Depression does increase the pain in RA and in any health challenge.

Unfortunately there is always a period of depression with RA, not sure if it's the constant pain or being forced to make changes to our lives that we aren't wanting to make that causes this depression, maybe a bit of both.

I think for me it was seeing myself each day, feeling so feeble, and having to explain to my family that I just couldn't do things and always having to ask for help with the basic things.

Also I found that I was isolating myself away from others seeing me, I guess I was ashamed of how this disease had changed me.

Tony Robbins writes some excellent articles on how to deal with depression that have helped me greatly. As he explains things, we have to work at being depressed, so, why not convert that energy to doing something positive like being happy instead.

I wouldn't recommend medication for the depression as this doesn't help you learn to cope, just makes you more dependent on medication.

One of my favorite things is EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques). It's a powerful system that you can do yourself and helps in all aspects of your health.

Mar 04, 2010
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Coping
by: Teresa

Hello - I am 46 and have had RA for a year. Until RA I was very active - camping, hiking, boating and raising 2 young boys (7 & 11) who loved going on bike rides, snow shoeing, etc. Then RA and the pain - yes - then depression. Well... after a few months of feeling like life had "jipped me" and crying. I got mad - how dare RA do this to me... I started reading and researching. I currently take Methotrexate and it is controlling the swelling.. I still have pain and but have come to realize that my stress level increases my pain dramatically... I also take fish oil and my daily vitamin and folic acid. "Use it or lose it" - that is what 2 different Rheumatalogists have advised and I have been using that. I have also changed my diet to include as many fruits and vegtables as possible. Well... after just 2 months of doing these simple things, faithfully taking my medicine, and MAINLY learning how to de-stress - I can say that some days I even forget I have RA. I also purchased an Elipical machine and exercise and stretch every day... all of this makes me live again... and my sons don't suffer! There is hope but don't give up. TERESA

Jan 06, 2010
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I'll take this to your email for a more complete response.
by: Susan

Hi Lori, I will email you privately and we can discuss the various things I did, which are all posted on the website, but I can give you a more condensed version and save you the trouble of reading every page of this website.

Susan

Jan 02, 2010
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Thanks
by: lori

Susan,
Thanks for repsonding to my letter. Something happen to my email address so I am posting my new.Please keep in touch. millardlori8@gmail.com.So Susan do you take any meds at this time? My problem is taking the meds. When I feel good I don't want to have to take them. Then I can see when the pain is and how much and what it is that I can change. My problem right now is the pain is over riding every throught and I can't get anything done.
I am a caregiver and it is becoming harder to get simple things done.I try to walk a least eight miles three times a week and that helps but I ussally can't do much more after that without having pain that sends me over the top.Tell me your story please and how you deal with everyday life with RA and what to expect.lori

Dec 21, 2009
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Depression and pain
by: Anonymous

Hi Lori,

I'm sorry to hear that you have been diagnosed with RA and are suffering pain and depression because of it.

I think most of us with RA can understand and sympathize with what you are going through as depression is natural when we are suffering from a loss due to the pain of RA.

Yes, depression can increase the pain. Depression is a stress to the body and any stress causes extra pain and suffering.

I'd like to inspire you by noting here that, although I was suffering from a very severe case of RA I have been able to return to all of my activites, perhaps not to the level I once did, but certainly beyond what would be considered normal activity, and that's what this website is all about.

When we discover what the underlining cause of this disease is, rather than just attempt to mask the pain with meds, we have a much better chance of returning to our past life while living with this disease.

With what you wrote my concern is the numbness prior to the pain, and I hope others will comment on this.

I recall some numbness from nerve damage in my elbow AFTER the RA was advanced, but not in the beginning. Of course this could possibly be from inflammation but I would investigate this further with a doctor.

One thing that does come to mind is, Celiac disease could cause this type of numbness and you can be tested for Celiac disease. Of course there are many other causes as well.

Even if you test negative for Celiac Disease I would be tempted to remove gluten from your diet for 60 days to see what type of change this would bring you. (Best to remove gluten and dairy together since these two food intollerances often go together).

Also, you say you are very active. When we are active and sweat we need extra trace minerals, which are lost through sweating.

Of course, it's winter so I can't help but also encourage you to test your vitamin D levels. Recently it has been noted that Vitamin D deficiency is very common in people suffering RA.

I hope other readers respond.

Susan

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