$100 Vionic Shoes Gift Card Giveaway! - CLOSED

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This giveaway has now closed! Here at RheumatoidArthritis.net, we’re choosing to celebrate Arthritis Awareness Month this May by bringing attention to rheumatoid arthritis. Participate with us by sharing and connecting with others who also manage RA!

We’re giving away a $100 Vionic Shoes gift card to one lucky winner!

HOW TO ENTER: To enter, let us know what you think others should know about RA or why you think RA awareness is important on a thread in our Forums section.

This giveaway has now ended! Giveaway starts on May 1, 2020 09:15AM EST and ends on on May 31, 2020 5:00PM EST. One winner will be notified via email. The winner has 48 hours to claim their prize before an alternate winner is selected. For more information, please read our Terms and Conditions. Good luck!

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lisam4 Member
Hello all. Just found out two months ago I had RA. I've known for over 15 years something was not right...I always described my symptoms as feeling like I was being stabbed by glass. I'm still learning but definitely know where to start now. Thanks for having this group!
1. Lynn Marie Witt, MSOT Moderator & Contributor
 Hello <inline-mention user-id="3193478" username="lisam4"/> Welcome! Welcome! Welcome to our RheumatoidArthritis.Net Family. We are so happy you have choose us to share your journey with. I have attached a link to an article written by our EditorialStaff. I hope you find it helpful. <a href='https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/what-is-ra' target='_blank'>https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/what-is-ra/</a> The process of diagnosis of RA often takes a long period of time. I applaud you for persisting through those 15 years and advocating for yourself, which lead to your diagnosis. Please continue to keep us posted on how you are doing. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to ask. I encourage you to click on the link I am providing below. It will take you to a forum on Why RA Awareness is important to you. There are so many great conversations going on it that forum right now. <a href='https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/topic/awareness-importance' target='_blank'>https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/topic/awareness-importance/</a> Just Keep Swimming, Lynn Marie "RheumatoidArthritis.net Team Member"
2. Monica Y. Sengupta Moderator & Contributor
 Hey <inline-mention user-id="3193478" username="lisam4"/> ! Thank you so much for reaching out. I am glad you found our community. Our advocates write on every subject and our community members are caring, open and love sharing their own experiences, as well. I wanted to share an article with you from Carla. In this specific one, she discusses finding the right rheumatologist. This is part of a ten part series in which she wrote about things she would tell her newly diagnosed self. I hope this article (and the others) provide a jumping off point for you. <a href='https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/no-3-find-a-rheumatologist-you-trust' target='_blank'>https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/no-3-find-a-rheumatologist-you-trust/</a> A new diagnosis is scary, frustrating and overwhelming. Please reach out if you want to talk or have any questions. All the best, Monica
4tywce Member
RA is a silent disease, it is not always seen but that doesn't make it less viscous. People in the work force don't realize how many of their peers suffer from this debilitating disease. What many consider to be a simple task, takes a lot of effort for myself and others. I find I have to choice my options wisely or pay the price later. Over commit and I may miss deadlines, and be out of commission for a few days. Overwork physically during the day, and suffer a night of sleeplessness, starting a cycle of pain and more sleepless nights. RA is a balancing act, between work, family, and social functions. Helping others understand that the struggles are real, the pain and flare up cycles are horrendous. A person never knows from day to day what new challenges may need to be faced. I am blessed to have an understanding husband and family. They help me get through the day and understand when I am simply done, my energy level depleted. But so many don't have this kind of support. I am still able to work as my employer works with me and allows for flexibility. But this is not the case with all employers. So much is unknown about RA in the general public, more needs to be done to bring awareness.
karen55550 Member
Hello,, Im 53 yrs old I have been living with RA since 1993 ,, I have had several surgery on both my knees ,, yesterday I was told both shoulders need to be totally replaced .. Im so ready to give up on this disease RA,, I have been taking medicine for years now.. And some days are better then most days..If I had to choose I would not pick RA .. but Im still fighting this disease called Rheumatoid Arthritis..
cinderella9 Member
Posted earlier but just wanted to add that while all physical therapy etc is closed in my area due to covid I have been doing exercise at home. As well as walking daily. This seems to help with my attitude. Even if you can’t walk or exercise take time to enjoy nature. Sit outside or open a window. Take care of you !
tenn1948 Member
Diagnosed 23 years ago at age 44, I chose to not take prescription drugs for 15+ years. I found a great rheumatologist who herself has RA about 5 years ago and wish I'd had someone who cared and listened long before. I feel that a lot of my hand and foot issues could have been lessened or postponed had I known the significance of waiting. I'm blessed to have family and friends who care and help, too.
thedubrat Member
More education is needed with family & friends. I found myself combing the internet for information to download for them. "But you look perfectly healthy", except for the frown on your face. was a common comment to me. Just before I had to leave my job of 14 years, I had an employee come to my office and tell me, "Ms. Rebecca, you have gotten lazy and fat!" My heart was crushed. I had gained a lot of weight because of the steroids I was taking. That was one of many comments to me as I have struggled with my RA, it is a never ending cycle. People think the weight gain is from laziness, they never consider the pain or the medicine because they don't see the tears.
kymdidit Member
The thing that is important to me is for people to understand how proactive we have to be. We have to be really tuned in to what is right and what is a new adventure. It could be nothing, OR it could be the very first tiny symptom of a much larger issue. My first "adventure" was discovering a pleural effusion thanks to some chest x rays and a sharp rheumatologist.
pamela56 Member
I want to speak to newly diagnosed people about RA awareness. This is a serious disease and is so much more than “aches & pains” BUT this disease is manageable and life does continue. There will be a “new normal” , a slower pace maybe, maybe use of a cane when walking and extreme fatigue BUT you will still love, laugh, travel, and visit with family and friends. There will be dinners out, long weekends, and movie nights. I have one of the most severe forms of RA that has resulted in heart failure and nodules in my lungs BUT I still live my life, travel, visit, laugh, dinners out and movie nights in because of the fatigue. I go slower BUT I’m still going. I may sleep for days after such events BUT I’m still living. Take time grieve then get back to living. Life is still worth living!