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Breathe in, Breathe out.

RA storiesI was diagnosed with RA right around my 40th birthday, although looking back my doctor and I agree that I was probably having flares since my early thirties. After being treated for a horrible sinus infection, I began losing weight, running low grade fevers and having joint pain in my feet, knees, and especially my hands.

Almost a decade later, I have learned to live my life with RA. I have been on many different medications, some have worked, some haven't. Some of the side effects have forced me to stop a medication that I feel like has helped my RA. Today, I am fairly well controlled with prednisone and methotrexate.

I refuse to let RA define my life. I work full time, exercise, eat well and try to get plenty of rest. My favorite hobbies include yoga, reading and quilting. My husband and I just sent the youngest of our three children off to college and are enjoying our time together.

I've learned that a bad RA day doesn't mean a bad life. Flares come and go and I am grateful for my life and I know that there are so many others less fortunate than me.

Yoga has taught me to slow down and concentrate on my breath. It has been wonderful for managing my RA. I breathe in love and breathe out gratitude! Namaste!

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