https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kOuma9Ad-E
This video gives a clear explanation of the illness and explains how it works. At first it just causes pain and inflammation but eventually it is able to destroy your healthy tissues and causes debilitation.
Since I have had it I was diagnosed with off the chart levels so I have always had a severe case of it. I have never gone into remission. But I have searched for different treatment options and as you continue reading my blog you will be able to know of each one and eventually to the one I am on now and how well it is or isn't working. I am excited to get to the parts of what does help me. But first I want to give you a glimpse of really how hard life has been for me this past year. I am going to post a link at the end of this post of a video of me getting out of bed. As humiliating as it is I don't think words can offer a clear enough picture sometimes. This video was taken on a REALLY "good" RA day. On a bad day I can't get out of bed at all. On a little bit better then bad day I can get out of bed with assistance. In this video I don't need any assistance, I am able to sit up and get up all on my own and that's what I consider a really good day, especially if I was able to do it before 12pm.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Whg13V8F8XY
In the video you may have noticed the walker and how I didn't use it to walk. One of my most inflamed areas is my wrist and putting any pressure on them is too painful. When using a walker your taking the weight off your feet and that weight is put on your hands and wrist so that is why you don't see me use it.My hands hurt so much I can't just lift the blanket off of me I try to kick it off at first. Also, right before this we purchased a memory foam mattress that provides more support and we put it on just a metal frame for now that way it is at the right level (not too high and not too low) for me to be able to get in and out of it without as much difficulty.You may not really notice how hard it is but you might notice the way I walk. I have to use my stomach muscles to get from laying down position to sitting up I can't put weight on my hands, wrist or shoulders. I used my elbow which is less painful. I never expected to share this, I took it so in case I healed one day I wouldn't forget what life was like before. There were many worse days then this and its weird to ask someone to record you so I don't have other videos to offer. I'm really nervous to share and I watched it 3 times while writing this blog trying to decide. I hope some way some how it helps someone else who suffers by sharing this.
( or maybe I can be a guest on the walking dead... ;))
Thanks for reading!
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