Always In Pain

I have been suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for most of my adult life. I was finally diagnosed in 2018.

Treatments and ongoing challenges

I take infusions, multiple medications, and do physical therapy, but nothing seems to help. I am in a constant flare, and it really gets to me. The fatigue is overwhelming.

Surgeries and joint replacements

I’ve had total joint replacements in both of my feet. I’ve also undergone two neck surgeries because my body rejected the first implant. To correct it, surgeons went through the back of my neck and placed more titanium.

Additionally, I’ve had my entire lower back fused, which took four surgeries to fix.

Facing future procedures

Now, my thoracic spine and neck are experiencing adjacent segment disease. Eventually, I will need more fusion surgeries for my neck and thoracic spine.