Hubby found this in his running shoe catalog. There is small blurb "Our Runner Stories" that said "Frank B." was dx'd w/RA in April 2003 and ran a marathon in 2005, and had a web address to find out more.
www.roadrunnersports.com/runnerstories
Click on Frank B. of San Diego.
Interesting because there is no mention of meds.
I ran marathons before I was diagnosed. In the past year, I have started running again. I even ran a half marathon in Indianapolis in the spring...Enbrel has made it possible for me to run again and I am grateful for that. I do know a few other runners with rheumatoid arthritis, all of them use RA medications.Personally, I like the intro....he finished his 4th marathon after "coming down" with RA.
This is why our disease is so misunderstood. I've never known anyone to "come down" with RA. It isn't a cold, or the flu.
I didn't read his article in full, but I didn't think RA affect the larger joints (knees, etc) like he was describing. I would say, I'm going out on a limb here, that he didn't ever have RA.
Phats
I think the key is in the remission process. My disease, PRA, wants to go into remission. But I've read here of people that went into remission on their own. Like no-med remissions.
I still think somebody somewhere should be studying the 'remission' people. That's the key.
Pip
P.S. I could run on Mino/AP - but why would I want to :-)?
Phatgirl2,
I too don't understand if he was on any meds. I will say that RA does affect the knees, just as he says. Mine began in my knees and then to the rest of my joints. I still have large bulges over my kneecaps. The synovial fuild becomes very thick and the synovial tissue begins to overgrow and pushes up over the kneecaps. It's very attractive!
How great to think you could go into full remission!
Phats - I noticed the "came down with", too. It isn't something an RA'er would say, nor is not mentioning your treatment (especially a successful one!). At least say 'combo of meds and diet...' or something, even if you didn't want to be specific. But it does sound he was very sick with something, from what he describes.Well, I'm glad he is in remission but I wish he would let the rest of us in on his secret!
I hope he continues to be in remission and is able to continue running. That is something I always wanted to do, but was never able to even before my dx. Phats RA affects my knees as well as my hips. Back too which I didn't believe until I had an orthopedic back specialist confirm it. Who knows? They tell me now I also have OA in my knees....so who's to say that's not been my problem all along? I start to loose my mind when I start thinking about that of it. I've always responded very well to all the meds they prescribe to me for RA so I have to believe that's what it is. Personally, I like the intro....he finished his 4th marathon after "coming down" with RA. This is why our disease is so misunderstood. I've never known anyone to "come down" with RA. It isn't a cold, or the flu. I didn't read his article in full, but I didn't think RA affect the larger joints (knees, etc) like he was describing. I would say, I'm going out on a limb here, that he didn't ever have RA. Phats Thanks for setting me straight! I knew that RA affected the knees and bigger joints, but I didn't know that it could start there. For some reason, I thought it started in your hands, wrists or feet. (And then spread). Anyhoo, thanks for straightening me out...somebody has to!!!!! Phats I was diagnosed with RA over a year ago and have been on MTX since August 2006. I also have OA in both big toes. Prior to an intense flare that led to my diagnose, I was a triathlete and a runner. I am now back to running and biking. I can run 4 miles...am working on increasing my mileage. I did two 5K road races this summer. I have another scheduled in 2 weeks. I have more difficulty with riding my bike but I can still ride. Slow and easy is the key for me. I read Frank B.'s story with interest but there seems to be a lot of detail left out.
I "came down" with RA over the course of one weekend. I had some flu-like symptoms for a couple of days, and then I couldn't put my feet on the floor to walk or hold a book to read. It's not common, but it does happen. I also had an almost complete remission for 2 years. All I've ever used is fish oil, naproxen (I've tried a couple of different NSAID's but naproxen works best), and 1-week courses of methylprednisolone for bad flares.
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