Living & understanding the beasts unpredictability

Hi to all RA suffers…..

I wrote a manuscript for publishing 10 yrs ago. Now I see it as another form of therapy.
I was diagnosed with RA 1994. I was a very fit young male who was just signed to play football (Aussie rules) with Hawthorne football club.
So let’s condense the manuscript into 100 words approx
The pain. The tears. The hopelessness. The depression.

• Getting out of bed. The first few steps. PAIN.
• Wiping your bottom after toilet,the wrist PAIN.
• Getting dressed PAIN.
• Putting shoes on PAIN.
• Everything I seemed to do caused me PAIN!

The drugs I’ve taken. Methotrexate, Prednisolone, Leflunomide, Cyclosporine, Sulfasalazine, Tocilizumab (Actemra), Etanercept (Enbrel), Adalimumab (Humira), Rituximab (Rituxan).

I’ve been involved with two clinical trials. The nastiest being high dose Chemotherapy (Cyclophosphamide)& a stem cell transplant @St Vinnie’s Hospital Sydney Australia.

I’ve tried alternative treatments – Acupuncture, Homeopathy, Magnet therapy & Swimming

I’ve tried all sorts of diets with Liver cleansing being the best for me
Pain killers. Panadeine forte, OxyContin, Endone, marijuana, Whiskey – Bourbon
Sex…I love it… Has it impacted YES has it stopped me NO bloody way
Joint replacement. Surgeon says in a South African accent ‘Damian your knee on the inside looks like Swiss cheese, in your language it’s rooted, it needs replacement!’

I’m a biggish fella 6ft 2 in old school measurement or 1879.6mm and things like shaking hands was an issue. What I did was say ‘Sorry mate I've injured my hand otherwise I’d shake yours’ .

Low times - life can suck big time. How do I cope? I try the Rheumatologists medications. I try diets, Yoga type stuff. But mostly I fight it, and I will always fight it until they find a permanent cure.

Have a great day
Damian McGrath