Ask Me Anything Live: With Kat Elton and Kelly Mack
*Updated at 9:40 am est on 9.29.22*
Thank you for participating in our Ask Me Anything! This thread will be locked, but we will select the winner of the paraffin wax kit $100 gift card giveaway soon.
We hope that the answers provided by Kelly and Kat have provided more insight into living with JIA.
*Updated at 4:50 est on 9.28.22*
Hi RA community! For the next hour, RA patient leaders Kelly and Kat will try to answer as many questions as possible.
As a friendly reminder, Kelly and Kat *cannot* post medical advice.
To see new replies, please refresh this thread consistently.
Also, if you post a question - you’re automatically entered in our paraffin wax kit $100 gift card giveaway! We will end at 6pm est!
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In this forum thread, two of our RA advocates, Kat Elton and Kelly Mack, will answer questions from the RA community - live - on Wednesday, September 28, 2022, at 5 pm est!
What questions about managing and living with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) do you have for Kelly and Kat?
Submit your questions for Kat and Kelly in advance! Anyone who submits a question between Monday, September 12, 2022, at 9 am est and Wednesday, September 28, 2022, at 6 pm est is automatically entered in our giveaway for a paraffin wax kit!
Kat and Kelly will respond to your question during the AMA on Wednesday, September 28, 2022, starting at 5 pm est.
Hi, girls! My toes are swollen to the point they hurt. In the evening, I do sit in a recliner with my legs up, but it doesn't help all the time. After 40 years having RA, this is a new symptom!
Thank you so much for answering my question! The article that you suggested helped me to understand more about my swollen toes. Who says "you can't teach an old dog new tricks"? I learn something new every day 
Hi
, so sorry to hear about your swollen toes. From personal experience, that can be really uncomfortable! I have gone through periods of time with feet and ankle swelling. Sometimes it has meant I needed to get some medical attention (like achilles tendonitis). Other times I needed to take breaks throughout the day to elevate my feet. It may be worthwhile to check in with your rheumatologist and or podiatrist for some help. In the meantime, here's my story about treating achilles tendonitis: https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/ankle-tendonitis. Take care! Best, Kelly (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team)
my question is when you are having a flare is your brain fog worse? Hi
, oh yes! When I am having a flare my brain fog goes into overdrive! When this happens I often ask my loved ones to pay extra attention so that I don't forget anything important or do anything silly! Here's some more on my experience with brain fog: https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/brain-fog-impaired-thinking. Hope this helps! -Kelly (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team) 
Hi
. I happen to be 's husband and I can certainly vouch for the brain fog connection to the flare. It also makes sense as research has found that inflammatory particles can breach the blood/brain barrier, thus potentially leading to fog and increased fatigue (here is one article discussing the link between inflammation and mental sluggishness: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/11/191115190337.htm). Hopefully knowing this will spur research to block this inflammation and treat these terrible symptoms. Best, Richard (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team)
Hello Ladies. My question is at what point will you start to feel better? I have been trying multiple treatments for over 2 years now and nothing is making me feel better. I mean I have some ups and downs but we are now going to go to our 4th infusion medicine and I have tried multiple biologics. I just want to feel better again! Don’t give up as I had been on 5 different meds (infusions) and then went on Keppra, which is a pill. Unfortunately I was taken off for fear it was lowering my white cell count but I’m been changed two more times and my white blood cell count is 1.78. Just had numerous blood tests and a bone marrow biopsy. Praying for an answer. But also praying it’s not cancer!
Good luck to you. Praying for you.
I hope your white blood cell count comes up on its own or that your doctors find a cause that is easily remedied,
. Keep us posted if you feel comfortable doing so. Gentle hugs! - Lori (Team Member)
When you were younger, what differences did you notice in your treatment as opposed to those who were adults and suffered from RA?
yes! I had gold injections! Didn't help my RA, but I always imagine I can find that cold and retire on it. Ha ha! 😀 If only! It is like my titanium parts. I have made sure the children know that after I die I want to be melted down. Its got to be worth something and it will not be as painful coming out as going in. 😀
