Catchy title, huh?
I have been on Humira for over 6 months now, and the last 2 of the 6 months I have been on once a week injections. I have had a lot of problems with my right hand being exteremly swelled and also now more deformities. I have NO grip in my hands. When I say no grip I mean NO grip. I still cannot make a tight closed fist. You would think I would be able to after being on Humira for over 6 months and the swelling has subsided and all, but no... still no good closed fist and still no grip what-so-ever!
I have decided that if for some strange reason I was told to hang off the side of a cliff or a building in order to save my life, I would plumet to my death within a blink of an eye. I would not be able to hold on as no grip, nor strength in my fingers, plus my elbows do not straighten out and my right wrist is still fractured!
So... if something like that ever happens to me I will just tell that person to either shoot me or push me over the side, that way I will not be falling to my death thinking all the way down, "DAMN RA!! YOU SCREWED ME!!! IF IT WAS NOT FOR YOU I WOULD STILL BE ALIVE!!"
[QUOTE=RAGirlGoneWild]"DAMN RA!! YOU SCREWED ME!!! IF IT WAS NOT FOR YOU I WOULD STILL BE ALIVE!!"
[/QUOTE]
I think that and I don't need to be hanging from a cliff.
Guess my dreams of becomming a trapeze artist and running away with the circus will never come true.
RAGirl, I know the feeling. You need x-rays on that hand and like now.
Crunchy, I tell people that I have had to give up skiing (I've never have done that in my life. Tried water skiing, but couldn't get up on the skis.) Oh, they feel so sorry for me. They don't feel sorry that I walk with a cane or can't wash my dishes or do my grocery shopping --- but no being able to ski--- that seems like a disaster.
Also, would die in the attempt to hold on. I'd last long enough to scream. AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You guys are too funny.
Deanna ~ I have already had x-rays on my hands and all body parts within 12 months and multiple ones at that. They all say the same thing, I have RA in my hands and they are deformed.
Fiona ~ The Humira has kinda lived up to my expectations, since I already do not expect much from anything. It is well worth my co-pay I can tell ya that much. About this time last year and the year before I would not have thought I would have been where I am at now. On some days I feel like I could work which are the first 4 days after my injection then the last 3 days before my injection I feel like I do not even want to do anything but lay in bed. I am doing so much better, but still have bad days which are expected. They did not promise Humira to be the cure
I have learned that the worse your RA gets the less likely chance you will ever be your old self, but than again once you aquire RA you are never going to truly be yourself ever again, because it takes a toll on your body. Over the years I have many of "old self's", my RA has just started to progress even more within the last 3 years. I have had RA for 20+ years, actually JRA. So, I have had many of changes, up & downs, and times when I wished I would just die to get it over with, but all in all I am happy with what I got, life. Good post! Nobody is allowed to get near an edge ok? ! RA changed my life thereis no doubt about that, but on my journey I met some great people and some real a-holes. I think it has sped up my body life to a deteriorating point which does not please me but that is the card I was dealt. No cure, maybe remission, or rather test results coming back "within normal range" as they say.You still get to live with the pain,fatigue, brain fog, erosions, heatache, and the unknown.I was just telling my daughter today ( who has never seen me without RA) that at least I do not have to take all those meds and have all the side effects with all that...well come to think of it, I still deal with the side effects from the meds, hmm I will have to think of something else to be thankful for. Maybe it is that I can at times work in the yard still and can be around to watch my daughter mature into a young lady and graduate from H.S., maybe even meet my gbaby........... ( she will mature right? * just kidding on that*). I cannot barely grasp anything either most days even after 5 surgeries to my hands, I use plastic dishes and have "drop days". RAGirl, I think hands is one of the worst places to get this because they can do so little to help. Plus, we take such pride in our beautiful hands as women. And, how do you do the most basic things. It's a hard thing. I guess I'd have to agree with you and say that RA has really screwed with your life. Thanks Fiona for being willing to shove us off the edge. It wouldn't take much more me some days. You're such a good friend..... but I'm not going near a cliff with you.
Deanna ~ I have already had x-rays on my hands and all body parts within 12 months and multiple ones at that. They all say the same thing, I have RA in my hands and they are deformed.
Fiona ~ The Humira has kinda lived up to my expectations, since I already do not expect much from anything. It is well worth my co-pay I can tell ya that much. About this time last year and the year before I would not have thought I would have been where I am at now. On some days I feel like I could work which are the first 4 days after my injection then the last 3 days before my injection I feel like I do not even want to do anything but lay in bed. I am doing so much better, but still have bad days which are expected. They did not promise Humira to be the cure
I have learned that the worse your RA gets the less likely chance you will ever be your old self, but than again once you aquire RA you are never going to truly be yourself ever again, because it takes a toll on your body. Over the years I have many of "old self's", my RA has just started to progress even more within the last 3 years. I have had RA for 20+ years, actually JRA. So, I have had many of changes, up & downs, and times when I wished I would just die to get it over with, but all in all I am happy with what I got, life. [/QUOTE] have you thought about hand surgery?? i hand the mcp knuckels in my right hand replaced and it helped me greatly. i am 33 and have had jra since i was 13. you just cant let the ra get the best of you. i have been through 9 joint replacement surgeries and my left ankel fused but i have never let any of that bring me down. i refuse to let the ra get the best of me. You know the kind I mean - the headless photos they always show when they do a story about obesity in America. I can travel cross country (by plane of course) and allow news crews to shoot video of me walking around their town, past local landmarks<<< Of course you will have to wear tight blue polyester pants and a pink tank top that rides up over your butt in back. Perhaps you could also carry an ice cream cone...they love that. You ladies are jusy too funny and just a wee silly! lol thanks for the giggle! If they ever need ugly feet for an Arthritis commercial, mine would be good contest that is for sure! All these bunions really add to the look of the veins popped out! I have really noticed this past year that my body has aged..............EWWWWWWWWWW gross! Thank goodness for wrinkle cream, it has saved my face and help reduce the smile lines..... a lot! I had the 5 surgeries to my hands due to cystic RA, it really helped although I had no other choice at the time to have the surgeries. They do become painful at times as does my wrist that I broke a few years back...no way could I hang onto a cliff...........I just don't go to the edge! *grin*...lol but I do get "edgy"! jode For anyone seeing deformaties, I would insist on seeing a hand specialist before it is too late. bubba - you should bottle that attitude and pass it around to your RA friends. I find the mental stuff - depression tougher than pain and deformed joints. Hey Y'all, I am the queen of STUPID! I have a story much more sad than Meme.
The weak do not have a sence of humor. So for those who do-even though it may be on the dark side of humor, here goes: My nephew is the middle child and is often picked on by the other kids in our family. When they are really ripping into him, since he is the only one that my fake eye doesn't bother, I take it out & give it to him in a bowl & he shows it to the others as they scream & squirm & he tells them if they don't leave him alone that HIS aunt will come in with one eye!!!!! They stop & we have a good laugh.
Here's a great big cyber hug to all of you for being brave enough to be here! An x-tra one for those who CLAIM not to need one! Peace, Tam We do have a good time. If I couldn't laugh at myself & find the humor in things I probably would kill myself. I am lucky that I lean toward dark humor to begin with. They Think I may have seronegative RA. I am getting the crippling of effect in hands & toes. I starting seeking help for my symptoms & knew something was very wrong when I was about 19-had symptoms as a teen as well- I am 42 now. I was dxd w/A.S. when I was 28. I am very sensitive to meds but Arava has taken the swelling down but it still seems to be progressing. Like most here I am sure I have some good days here & there & some very dark days. Things don't always work out the way we'd like but they do work out. Thanks for being here Fiona! Peace, Tam
Deanna, you better stay off of the skis. LOL
Tammy, your not the Queen of stupid, you are the Queen of Fun! Crunchy, I didn't get it either. Oh well!!! MEME, I laugh at myself too. Trisha
Cathyjones - a lot of posters have been together for a while, now, and we've actually given one another a lot of support. Watch who you call stupid.
My heart goes out to you and your nephew. How old is he? He must get such a good laugh with you. And you're teaching him something - how to overcome adversity. Good for you.
How long have you had RA, and are the meds helping you now?
Sometimes, no matter how grim it gets, the only thing you can do is laugh.
((((((((YOu are awesome Tammy!!!!))))))))))) Humor is what gets us through the day. I laugh at myself all the time because I do stupid things. Laughter is what gets us through it. So do not belittle someone because they are feeling down we are here to be support for each other! meme
I don't think so. This has been a great group of people sharing challenges and information, and a lot of good stuff in between, let's keep it that way...
I think she was talking to me. She sent me a PM, telling me to try something for OA in my hands, but I do not have OA in my hands I have RA, it was said so by my RD and my x-rays. So, I am thinking years of damage to my hands by JRA, will not be fixed with some supplement. Rude, rude, rude (shakes head). If she's peddling snake oil, hasn't she learned you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar? I'm sorry, RAGirl - our group really isn't like that, and there's no excuse for her behavior.
If you check out her posting you will see she is in on a con with popbn1 . The same stuff she was trying to get RAgirl to use. Just disgusting can't come to the board without some con artist trying to sell their snake oil!!!
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