A Rude Awakening

By crazyspaz55

1 min read

Hi. Let me start by saying that this disease does not discriminate by any means. And I think that RA awareness is very important. It should be treated like it was cancer. It is just as toxic. I wish I would've known about this when I was active and more mobile.

Getting teeth pulled and a sudden flare

I am just now 56 yrs old and I should not be feeling like I am 95. I did not know that this gene has been in my body since the day I was born. I was fine until I had all my teeth pulled about 1 1/2 yrs ago and then it was on like a wild fire ? out of control and just that quick. I saw changes in my hands my body ached constantly. I was feeling depressed, and swollen so I was referred to my RA doctor.

A rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis was confirmed

She confirmed that yes this is what I had, not to mention hip dysplasia, osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, and degenerative disk disease. All it took was getting teeth pulled to flare it up.

The importance of awareness around RA

I believe that If there was more awareness out there like other diseases, this debilitating sickness could have been easier for me. But as quick as it came and all I have lost I am having a hard time moving forward. My friends and my family have all abandoned me. I am fighting this alone with my fiance and my puppy. I can't express enough to anyone who has any deformed joints, aches, pains, hot, cold, burning, or intermittent vibrations to ask to do a blood test for RA. Don't wait and if there are ever any ways to help make others aware, do so. Thank you for listening.

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Alesandra Bevilacqua Community Admin
Hey <inline-mention user-id="3160112" username="crazyspaz55"/> ! Thanks for sharing here with us. I agree with you - there should be more awareness around RA and what the condition entails. If you didn't already know, May is Arthritis Awareness Month! To see how we at <a href='https://rheumatoidarthritis.net' target='_blank'>RheumatoidArthritis.net</a> are raising awareness, check out this post: <a href='https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/spotlight/awareness-month-2020' target='_blank'>https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/spotlight/awareness-month-2020/</a> There are ideas there to join in on spreading awareness of the condition! I can't believe all of that happened after getting your teeth pulled, wow. What an awakening! That's so much at once. Thank you again for sharing here with us. Know that we are here anytime -Alesandra (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team)
1. crazyspaz55 Member
 Yes prior to that I was fine didn't hurt other than my hip dysplasia and then bamb!! I was going down hill from there. Thank you for reading my story
christine.laaksonen Community Admin
Oh wow, <inline-mention user-id="3160112" username="crazyspaz55"/> , that does sound like a very rude awakening for all of this to happen after getting your teeth pulled! What a challenging and overwhelming time. Please know that while others might not understand, this community does and we are here for you. Reach out if you have any questions, need to vent, or could use some support. I, too, agree that there should be more awareness for RA, and as Alesandra shared, there are some ways that our community is raising awareness. Thank you for sharing your story with us. Wishing you a gentle day. -- Warmly, Christine (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team Member)
1. crazyspaz55 Member
 Thank you for responding to my story I used to be so perdutuve and happy and I am having a hard time dealing with this it was all so much so fast. I would like to wake up and it would be all gone.
Mary Sophia Hawks Moderator & Contributor
Crazyspaz55, I am so sorry your family and friends have abandoned you! Please know you have friends here who will always listen and understand. Many of us had a pivotal episode that seemed to "turn on" our RA. Others had a slow creep up of symptoms. When you are new to RA, there is so much pain and so much to learn. Getting the right medication and rheumatologist is the first step. Some of us read everything and try to understand everything at once. Others use a measured approach and cope with one thing at a time. You will soon learn what works best for you. I encourage you to document your symptoms and what makes them worse. Be very honest with your rheumatologist. You are not whining, you are stating facts. Tell the MD what you cannot do because of your symptoms. Great job reaching out here! You will find many articles that can help. The editorial team just posted an article about new diagnosis. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Gentle hugs and blessings, Mary Sophia, <a href='https://rheumatoidarthritis.net' target='_blank'>Rheumatoidarthritis.net</a> moderator/author
Lynn Marie Witt, MSOT Moderator & Contributor
Hello <inline-mention user-id="3160112" username="crazyspaz55"/> ! Thank you so much for reaching out and sharing your story. We need awesome advocates like you, educating others on what this disease is. I am proud of you for having the courage to write your story. Trust me this posting has touched many people. I am so happy that you have a supportive fiancé and faithful furry child. Animals are very therapeutic and loyal. I have a furry cat child, his name is Luka. He makes the tough days better. Please continue to share your thoughts. Your voice matters here and you are not alone. You have a community of people who live with and going through very similar things. Reach out anytime. Just Keep Swimming...Lynn Marie, "RheumatoidArthritis.Net Team Member"