Managing RA

By jorgesamayoa

1 min read

Climbing an erupting volcano in Guatemala

I was diagnosed with RA on February 2018, at the age of 67.

An active life with RA is possible

Yes, I can relate to all the pain that many of you describe; however, since I was put on Remicade infusions at 6 weeks, I can say that the pain has been minimal. It seems like I always get a flare-up right before the end of Winter.

The small joints don’t hurt as much but I sure can feel the pain on the hip girdle and trochanter.
I have not let anything interfere with my daily activities such as, going on walks with my dog twice, daily or going on vacation.

As a matter of fact towards the end of the year in 2018, I took a vacation by myself to the beautiful country of Guatemala and managed to climb an erupting volcano, 10K feet above sea level. A beautiful experience to say the least. Yes, I had some difficulty but somehow I managed.

Not letting RA pain win

The bottom line, curling up into a ball and feeling sorry for oneself is not the way to deal with any disease. I strongly believe that physical exercise is not only recreational but it also keeps and helps maintain one’s immune system.

So, go out and have some fun while you still can. It does good to your body and soul.

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sonnysmom18 Member
Thank you for this post today, Jorge. Just what I needed as I was upset this weekend, thinking that the RA is winning. Back to fighting it!
1. jorgesamayoa Member
 <inline-mention username="sonnysmom18" user-id="3237385"/> Thank you. Just keep in mind that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. I know that it is hard to maintain positive but with hope and will power, we can move mountains. First, it is finding the right medication that works for you, sometimes it takes arguing with your doctor but at the end it is worth it. It is your life after all. Good luck and maintain a positive outlook on life, even if your joints tell you otherwise.
2. RHall Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="jorgesamayoa" user-id="3184751"/> Awesome message! Thanks for sharing your perspective and the uplifting message. You're so right it can be hard to have hope of better days ahead. Your story is inspiring in that it shows that challenges don't have prevent a fulfilling and even active life. - Reggie (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team)
Jo Johnson Moderator & Contributor
Jorge, what a great picture and wonderful bucket list item. I love that we can all come to <a href='https://ra.net' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>ra.net</a> with our concerns and worries and problems and questions and also find moments of hope and inspiration such as your post. Thank you so much. With hope and best wishes for more wonderful memories, Jo (Moderator)
jorgesamayoa Member
Thank Jo, yes, I am a true believer that nothing is easy in this life; however, giving up and feeling sorry for oneself is detrimental. Some people develop Cancer, heart disease or whatever. Nowadays we are lucky that the medical field has improved so much in the past twenty years or so. I am receiving biological infusions every eight weeks, that has helped me tremendously and kept me from overdosing with Prednisone. Yes, I have experienced flare ups occasionally but nothing that 10 mg of Ptednisone for a couple of days can’t help. I try to be positive and maintain active. I love to hike, garden, and travel. In spite of RA I have been able to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Before I was diagnosed with RA and put on the right medication, there were times when I couldn’t even get out of bed to go to the bathroom, because the pain on my feet and hands was excruciating. I literally had to crawl on my hands and knees to make it, one time I couldn’t make it on time and had no choice but to urinate all over the floor. My posts ate to let people know that no matter how bad one feels, at the end it is up to us to reinvent ourselves and never give up. Yes, one can move mountains as long as there is a desire. Never give up, keep on pushing and having fun that at the end, the good times is all we carry to the grave. Thank you for your comments, much appreciated and keep on enjoying life.
L rick Phillips Moderator & Contributor
 I think your message is heart and life affirming. rick - moderator
jorgesamayoa Member
Thank you, Lawrence (Rick). My philosophy is that life continues no matter what, might as well make the best out of it. Have a great day
susanleszczak Member
Sometimes it is too hard to exercise 
1. L rick Phillips Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="susanleszczak" user-id="3242327"/> I hope you can find that new normal. Yes it is very difficult. But stick i out and keep trying, not to compete with your former self, but with your yesterday. That has helped me a great deal.
susanleszczak Member
I’m going to try 
1. RHall Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="susanleszczak" user-id="3242327"/> that is all you can do! And when you need to rest, that's needed and okay too. Attempting to try is a victory in itself! - Reggie (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team Member)