Jo Johnson
"Moving into 2025
“Nothing happens until something moves.” Albert Einstein
It seems to be in human nature to mark time with holidays and traditions. New Years is a time many of us focus on how we want to effect change on our future selves. If resolutions are proving tough for you, I suggest you consider finding a single word Intention to focus on.
I find it difficult to maintain and succeed typical resolutions such as, eat better or exercise more. If I’m flaring, how can I exercise more or cook better meals? Three years ago, I asked myself “What do I want out of the changes I was proposing to my daily life?” I realized it is better to focus on a single Intention that could positively affect my life. The good thing about an Intention is it just gets stronger as you practice it. Each year when I look back I can see the progress I’ve made and get reminders of habits I have let slip.
My prior Intentions:
KIND: show the same kindness to others that I want to receive in my life. Be kind to myself. Look clerks and people on the sidewalk in the eye and give a pleasant greeting. Hold the door open. Thank others for their kindnesses.
GRACE: the gift of being patient and forgiving with myself and others. Grace allows me to find hope in challenging situations and relationships. Grace recognizes a difficulty but doesn’t let it define me.
RESILIENCE: Focus on pacing and small incremental changes that allow me to improve steadily. Building guilt free rest periods and recovery time allows me to make more gains in the long run. I’m naturally optimistic and Resilience helps me focus on my optimism.
MOVEMENT 2025:
We read often how important movement is to our daily life, especially with RA. I will move forward with physical and mental changes that help me move through my world with less pain, more freedom and a lighter feel. Continue to gently move my body more. Seek out PT when needed. Yoga, Meditation and Reflection are gentle Movements that I know help lighten my outlook. Encourage myself to move past anxious thoughts and on to positive actions. For 2025 I’ll continue with my doctor’s prescribed meds and my own prescribed Movement. In a year, I’ll be able to see how far I have moved!
Happy New Year All! May you all find Hope and Positive Movement in 2025!
Jo
""Sigh. It hurts to clap my hands. I know in the grand scheme of RA ailments, this isn’t a big deal. But this Spring is my grandkids baseball season, graduation and awards ceremonies, and dance recitals. I want to applaud the kids! But, it just hurts too much. “Whoots” aren’t always appropriate. “Jazz Hands” just isn’t satisfying, but may be my best choice. Ideas? Jo"
Ugh- I just hate for RA can make something so simple so complicated and painful. I totally get where you're coming from. Not being able to participate in showing your support and congratulatory wishes take away from you being apart of the special moment with your love ones. Have you ever thought about buying a clapper stick? I added a picture to this post. You could also possible have the kiddos help you create a nice sign (depending on the event of course). Another thing you could do is create a special hand move that is special for you and your grandchildren. Something that only you guys would do to make it feel special. Kids always love a secret thing that they can do hat only them and the other person understands (haha). I know this doesn't make up for being able to freely applaud them like everyone else does, but I know you will find a way that still allows you to express your happiness for your grandkid and their accomplishments. All the best, Latoya (Team Member) 
fun clappers! And great ideas I'm newly diagnosed and before my diagnosis I couldn't clap either it was so disheartening!! Hi
. I noticed that you mentioned you are newly diagnosed. Are you on a treatment and is your RA under control? Many people here have been where you are. I want to share with you this article from our editorial team that compiled thoughts from some of our patient leaders for the newly diagnosed: https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/advice-for-newly-diagnosed. Also, our patient leader Kat wrote a two-part article on the same topic: https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/support-new-diagnosis and https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/care-management. Hope this information helps and please know that this community is here for you. Best, Richard (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team)
"Thunder Joints
RA has been a humbling experience for me. Prior to RA, and in the first few years after diagnosis, I didn’t get what people were talking about with pain levels changing with the weather. I didn’t so much doubt their truth as maybe minimize it. Since moving to the Midwest, I’ve had a whole new experience. The last few weeks have been punctuated by thunderstorms, mild weather and snow storms. On the days the weather is rapidly changing, I have been shocked by how much joint pain I have felt. “Thunder Joints” are not fun! I notice that when the wind picks up, I just want to be inside and feel protected. As the thunder rolls I have already experienced increased pain. Shifts in humidity shift me. Storms disrupt my sleep. For me there is a humbling aspect to experiencing unexpected chronic fatigue and pain. I want to understand what causes RA symptoms and how to treat them. How do I treat the weather? Have you found ways to decrease weather’s affects on you joints? Hoping for milder weather changes for us all! Jo", I might have to borrow your term "thunder joints"! My husband's company has relocated us a few times. For the most part, I have enjoyed living in different parts of the county. The latest move though took us from beautiful Santa Fe, NM and planted us in the land of corn. Corn as far as the eye can see. (It's uninspiring.) The unstable weather and high humidity here has been misery. I haven't come up with a solution to the increase in pain other than to brace myself when the barometer is on the move and live in the hope of moving back to the SW. Hi
. I know this doesn't help in the here and now, but in experiencing different places and weather patterns you have been able to learn what impacts you and what is the best climate for you. My wife, Kelly Mack (a contributor here), struggles with changes in weather (temperature ups and down and pressure) and cold in general. When she gets weather issues she tends to do a variation on her flare action plan - maybe additional prednisone, NSAIDs, rest, etc... I don't know if you have ever seen this article from Kat on the flare action plan: https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/flare-action-plan. Have you and your husband discussed someday doing the forever move to a more hospitable location (I know, easier said than done). Kelly and I talk, only half jokingly, about the move to Orlando - hot weather and Disney visits 😀 - Kelly does o.k. with the humidity as long as it is warm. Best, Richard (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team) , great suggestions to manage bumpy weather. Like many parts of the country, spring here has been nutty with big temperature shifts. If it gets too miserable, I will bump up my prednisone and curl up with a book.
The husband and I are indeed taking a look at where we want to be one day. Its been fun to pick a state and explore via You Tube videos.
My husband is pretty insistent that we must be close to good rheumatology care. That's been the toughest to nail down. The rheumatologist shortage seems to be worse in some areas, like my beloved home state, ND.
I agree. Warm humid is much better than cold humid. Cold humid seems to seep into one's bones.
What fun...dreaming of a move to Orlando! I hope that one day comes true for you 2!We left Sunny Southern Idaho for Central Illinois - and corn, corn, corn! I miss mountains! We are used to cold winters and hot summers, but the weather was also sunny and arid. We are near retirement age, and chose the Midwest to be near our grandkids in MN and IL. Unstable is a good description for the Midwest weather! We love being near family, but this climate has been tougher than I expected. I wonder if the day will come when we search for a milder climate? How will we ever choose between our kids and weather???? Hoping for a settled Spring, Jo
, oh I bet you miss the mountains! Idaho is beautiful and made our list of places to consider. I bet you had sunshine and blue skies. We miss that from our NM days. Gray and cloudy isn't good for the soul.
So you too hear "Central IL Proud" as a TV news tag. It gives me the giggles because I have other words bouncing in my head 😀
It really is hard to make choices between beautiful landscapes, weather and family. There are tough trade offs. Yes, here's to a calm and settled spring!
"Have you been on Rituximab for a while? Is there a typical time you feel better after your infusions? I am scheduled every 6 months, next dose is due 02/04/24. This will be my 4 set of doses. I finally felt some significant pain relief after the 3rd set. My pain is starting to creep back this month. I wonder about others experience on how long it takes after subsequent treatments to feel better? Do you feel improvement in fatigue in addition to pain? TIA, Jo"