Dia duit agus fáilte – that’s Irish for hello and welcome – to this blog post about living with RA. Below you will find tips and info on how to enjoy a full life with rheumatoid arthritis naturally. In other words, how to become an RA Warrior.
If you’re here, you may be newly diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and want to learn how to maintain your active lifestyle while living with RA, a disease that seems hell bent on making that goal almost impossible. Or perhaps you have had RA for a while and are ready to try something new to reduce symptoms.
Quick heads up: this blog is focused on alternative treatments for living with rheumatoid arthritis. I am not a physician and strongly recommend you find a healthcare provider to work with and discuss all treatment options with them. What this means: I don’t talk about pharmaceuticals. If you want good information on drug options please visit WebMD or Johns Hopkins. I believe we are in this fight together and however you choose to address your RA or other autoimmune disease is a matter for you and your doctor. I choose not to take medication currently, that may change in the future but for now, know that I support your health decisions and choices and am cheering you on to the best health and life possible.
There is a lot of information on this site, some of it encouraging and other parts perhaps somewhat disheartening. That said, this blog about rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune disease is focused on living out loud, learning ways to have an abundant, joy-filled life while living with RA. I am an eternal optimist and I hope you find this site to also be optimistic and encouraging; I want you to join the ranks of RA Warriors and together we will prove that #RACantStopMe
Table of Contents
What is an autoimmune disease?
Our bodies have an amazing system that guards us from all sorts of dangers, attackers like bacteria (think wound infection, pneumonia), viruses (the flu, cold sores) and fungi (ringworm or mold in the environment.) This watchdog is called the immune system and it is great at its job.
Have you ever wondered why some people constantly have colds and others never get sick? The latter probably have more robust immune defense systems and can better fight the germs they comes across daily.
Unfortunately, this wondrous system can malfunction which can lead to a weakened (underactive) immune system or one that is overactive and attacks the healthy cells of its host (you and me!)
Conditions like cancer, organ transplant and certain inherited diseases will weaken the immune system and an immunocompromised person is much more susceptible to disease and illness. It is essential that people with weakened immune systems guard themselves against possible infection as even the common cold can wreak havoc on their bodies.
The overactive immune system
At the other end of the spectrum is the overactive immune system, what I like to call the totally paranoid immune system (not even remotely medically sound, I know, but I’m not a doctor.) This malfunctioning immune system sees threats and boogie men in benign places, gets trigger happy and fires shots in all directions. This erratic behavior can lead to autoimmune disease.
A more medically and scientifically sound explanation: An autoimmune disease is when the immune system attacks and damages the body’s own tissues which can lead to any one of dozens of diseases, rheumatoid arthritis being one.
This group of diseases has the power to completely turn your life upside down, cause pain, exhaustion, weakness and lead to depression. There are more than 100 autoimmune diseases.
Treatment of autoimmune disease
There is no branch of medicine that focuses on autoimmune diseases though research suggests the same underlying causes result in widely differing symptoms. For example, rheumatoid arthritis affect the joints and Hashimoto’s affect the thyroid, psoriasis attacks the skin while vasculitis damages the blood vessels.
Autoimmune diseases are considered incurable but not untreatable, they are chronic but not fatal, they disrupt your life but can also be the impetus to make radical change and find your way to a healthier, more outrageously alive version of you.
Yes, having an autoimmune disease sucks but I refuse to take the pummeling lying down. No thanks! I have bigger plans for my life, plans that don’t include being dictated to by my paranoid immune system. Living with RA will not stop me from exploring the world, hiking and skiing or practicing yoga. Please join me on the RA Warrior journey to a live-out-loud life.
What is RA?
Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common autoimmune disease and affects about 1% of the global population. Currently, it is estimated there are more than 1 million people living with RA in America.
It is a chronic disease that primarily affects the joints and causes pain and inflammation. That said, systemic inflammation can also damage a variety of bodily systems including the cardiovascular and circulatory systems. If you have RA, you also know that there are a whole bunch of other symptoms that tag along – brain fog,, insomnia, fatigue and so many more.
RA symptoms have a tendency to come and go and when they come it is called an RA flare-up. And while I hate the odd flare-up, they serve as a reminder that every day I need to make difficult choices in order to be the healthiest version of myself. As soon as I find myself in an RA flare, I examine my diet, my habits, my thoughts and can usually point to the likely culprit. My hope is that the information here will support you on your journey to to a deep knowing of how your body thrives while living with RA.
Living with RA doesn’t stop me from an active life.
There is technically no cure for RA which can sound very unsettling and disheartening but don’t let this get you down. There are most definitely alternative treatments for rheumatoid arthritis, steps you can take to alleviate and ease your symptoms and return you to your former abundant life. My goal is not a cure, my goal is as complete a remission as I can achieve through natural and holistic methods.
Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include:
- Joint pain
- Swollen joints
- Stiffness
- Fatigue
- Brain fog
- Depression
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Ulcers
Most often, RA begins with joint discomfort in fingers/hands and toes/feet and typically, the pain occurs on both sides of the body simultaneously. My symptoms first became noticeable on my yoga mat as, day after day, it was more uncomfortable for me to be on my hands and knees because of the pain in my wrists.
You might also notice swelling in the joints, a puffiness that is squishy to the touch or redness and warmth in the joints and almost half of those who are living with RA also experience non-joint-related symptoms. See here for a full list.
Symptoms can take weeks or years to become bad enough to go to the doctor but please don’t wait. The sooner you can get a diagnosis the better, that way you can decide how you want to treat the disease and begin to make changes as quickly as possible and slow the progress of the disease.
Causes and risk factors of RA
While RA is called arthritis and affects the joints, it is very different to osteoarthritis and symptoms can often be relieved by healing the immune system, which is great news for you and me and for anyone dealing with any type of autoimmune disease.
Doctors don’t know what causes autoimmune diseases but there are risk factors.
- 80% of people with RA are women; not sure we can ameliorate this risk factor!
- Most people are diagnosed with RA between the ages of 15 and 45, not that 46 gives you the all clear; I was 50 when I was diagnosed.
- There seems to be an inherited susceptibility to autoimmune diseases. (In my family: my Nana, 2 aunts and I have RA, one cousin has IBD, 2 have Crohn’s, another has Ulcerative colitis. Now we’re an oversized Irish family but that’s a lot of people!
- The good old Western diet – high fat, sugar and processed foods is thought to be a possible culprit or at least it can serve as added fuel to an overactive immune system.
Bad news? Can’t do much about sex, age or family. GOOD news? We have complete control over our diet and other factors that worsen RA symptoms.
How does rheumatoid arthritis affect the body?
Joints become achey and tender and the pain usually appears bilaterally, that is in both hands/wrists/feet at the same time. As mentioned, the first sign for me was the wrist pain associated with being on hands and knees in yoga but over just a couple of weeks, I could not lift pots and pans and the pain in my feet really impacted the enjoyment I get from hiking and walking. Perhaps you feel slight pain when you squeeze your fingers or toes or you find sitting onto the toilet seems to be getting more and more uncomfortable.
If you are feeling bilateral joint pain, then I encourage you to go to your doctor as soon as possible to test for rheumatoid arthritis – information is power and when you know what you are facing, you can make changes accordingly. As they say, better the divil you know!
Inflammation is a typical symptom of rheumatoid arthritis and this often shows up as puffy and swollen hands, feet, knees, elbows. I have to admit, this is one symptom that really pisses me off. My hands have always been large and strong, able to lift heavy weights and carry hefty children but an RA flare up often leaves them puffed up with barely a discernible knuckle, no longer able to cook easily, sew properly or build chicken coops. Read more about inflammation here.
Fatigue and brain fog fall into that category of tough symptoms to pin down; am I exhausted because I swam and lifted or because there’s something wrong with me? For those of us used to an active lifestyle, ongoing fatigue can be disheartening and even before we are told we have a chronic disease, we might wonder if we’re ever going to have energy again. I wasn’t sure if the fatigue was a sign of aging (I was 50 when I was diagnosed with RA) or if it was something as nebulous as chronic fatigue; I didn’t like either option.
Joint stiffness and tenderness are also symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis – I certainly lost range of motion in my wrists, fingers, feet and toes and there were times when himself pulled me in to his arms (What can I say? He’s a romantic!) and I winced. Not conducive to intimacy which brings me to…
Lack of sex drive. Seriously? Like all the other shit I have to deal with isn’t enough? There’s not much else to say about a libido drop but take heart – the more steps you take to address the underlying causes of RA, and any autoimmune disease, the stronger your libido will become. And that’s a very good thing. Good news here.
Insomnia is not a symptom per se but I have learned that chronic fatigue combined with a body in debilitating pain lends itself to not sleeping and then it can become a vicious cycle. It is known in RA and other chronic disease circles as painsomnia!! Read this.
Emotional issues and possible mental health challenges are sure to arise when you’re diagnosed with a life-altering disease; it’s no wonder many of us feel increased depression or anxiety because of the symptoms and diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. For more info read this post.
Things that exacerbate RA symptoms
Not everyone will experience negative impacts from all potential triggers, once you begin to heal the immune system and gain control over your symptoms you will be able to experiment and track which of the following impacts your rheumatoid arthritis.
Smoking not only increases the risk of developing RA, and any autoimmune disease, it also speeds its progress. Visit Lung.org if you want help quitting smoking
Putting off that visit to the doctor. Information is power and when you know what you are facing, you can create a plan that allows you to feel healthier and more confident as you find you’re way to a new normal..
High impact activities can exacerbate joint pain, swelling and fatigue. Especially in the early stages before you have made the shift to your new “living-with-RA-life”, it may make sense to reduce your miles if you’re a runner, play footie or basketball less often, curtail those backflips and postpone that bucket list skydiving trip. For now. As symptoms subside and the disease is either in remission or well-managed, you will hopefully be able to pick right back up where you left off.
Stress has become a leading factor in countless illnesses and RA is no exception. We know stress is bad, we all want to reduce stress and yet, here we are, living in a high-stress world, often unable to disengage from the stressors that most impact us and often uncertain how to begin the process of really reducing stress. For me, stress is the single biggest factor in triggering an RA flare and I work hard to maintain very low levels of stress.
Being at an unhealthy-for-you weight is another risk factor in rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune diseases. (Quick note: I do not adhere to some notion of ideal weight; I believe when we know ourselves and our bodies, we find balance and harmony and feel great in our skin.) Weight can affect the RA body by additionally impairing an already malfunctioning immune system and putting more stress on joints.
The weather.
I grew up hearing the phrase: “it’s going to rain; I can feel it in my bones” so I have been aware of the relationship between the weather and osteoarthritis most of my life. I had no idea that RA symptoms could also be triggered by the weather though the research indicates that barometric pressure as well as temperature, humidity and precipitation can impact the RA body.
Toxins are all around us, in our food, the air we breathe, the potions we put on our skin and hair, and in the cleaning supplies we use; they are invasive and we cannot avoid all of them. But, we can choose what we allow into our lives when possible. Organic food, “clean” beauty and cleaning products can all reduce our exposure to poisons. Read this post on toxins.
I hate to be the bearer of even more bad news but alcohol can be a trigger for RA symptoms. As a devotee of red wine, this has been a heartbreaking lesson. I can enjoy a glass or 2 of wine occasionally, I just cannot enjoy the daily glass that I love so much as I am cooking dinner. Your body will respond differently and you will learn to listen, even when, like me, you might not want to hear.
Habits that reduce and ease RA symptoms
Stay active. Yes, I know, this one is a toughie – I’m in pain and don’t want to move but unfortunately, if I don’t move, my pain will increase. Definitely chicken and egg but you’re on this page because you want to remain active and engaged. For now, do what you can without stressing your body or mind and know that as you shift to an RA Warrior lifestyle, you will be back to your usual live-out-loud self.
Diet – what you eat has a dramatic effect on your wellbeing at all times but even more so when you have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. This blog about rheumatoid arthritis is full of great information on how to make changes to your diet that will impact your body and life for the better. This “Diet and RA” post is a great place to begin.
Supplements can round out a healthy nutrition-packed diet. Unless you live in a sunny clime, chances are very high you might be vitamin D deficient (and the challenge with those delightful sunny climes is the constant exposure to sun and therefore an increased risk of skin cancer.) Other supplements that can be of benefit to you as you work to reduce your rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and regain a full live-out-loud life include: vitamin C, Omega 3 oil, vitamin B. If you want to learn more about supplements for RA, click here.
Yoga. I have been practicing yoga for more than 27 years and teaching it for 19; it has positively impacted all aspects of my life and has supported me through my RA journey. I have had to make adjustments to my practice to honor where my body is on any given day and I share these practices and adjustments with you. See Yoga & RA
Meditation has become common in recent years and with good reason, it lowers stress and anxiety, promotes emotional health and enhances self-awareness. It is the latter of these benefits that I believe is the most powerful in addressing RA. As mentioned before, when we become better attuned to our bodies, our minds, our Self, we are able to intuit ways to support our own wellbeing, we know ourselves intimately and this knowledge gives us the strength and courage we need to fight an ongoing battle.
Rest is essential for a healthy life – good sleep, taking a day off, holidays/travel and finding hobbies that allow us to slow down. Learn about good sleep habits here.
Aromatherapy. In addition, you can use essential oils to reduce the toxins in your home and body products. As a certified aromatherapist, I have created almost 100 blend recipes for concerns ranging from migraines to laundry, from pain to libido-enhancer. I hope you’ll check out this page and try some of the wonderful ways aromatherapy can help you fight RA.
Ice and heat are both great remedies at different times. Ice works wonders when you have overdone it and need to soothe inflammation and pain. Heat is a wonderful way to wake up the joints in the morning; I often wrap my feet and hands in heat pads and allow my body to ease into the day gently and kindly.
Attitude. Over the past 8 years of living with RA, I have learned that my attitude to life and this damn disease has a huge impact on the actual symptoms. I am learning how to keep my body strong and healthy; I am learning how to send rheumatoid arthritis into remission and when I remember how powerful I am, I feel better. Like you, I want to live out loud. I am an RA Warrior and refuse to let this disease dictate my lifestyle.
On the flip side, during an RA flare-up or a particularly stressful time, I sometimes feel overwhelmed and exhausted, perhaps I make poor choices and my body and mind falter. I have dealt with depression all of my adult life and having RA certainly doesn’t help. Read Depression & RA for more info.
It might take a few days or even weeks for me to find my footing again but the more I practice good habits when I feel good, the easier they are to practice when I am struggling. And that’s what this RA blog is all about – finding the tools/habits that work for you and using them as best we can.
Living with RA
I have often told my therapist that if she would just tell me what to do I would do it; she thinks I’m joking. I’m not. I reckon my life would be easier if someone could just tell me exactly what to do/eat/say and then I did it. (And isn’t that last part the toughest part?)
The truth is, I know the things I should do to be healthy and I have known them for an awfully long time. But it’s hard to make radical changes when life is busy and trundling along reasonably well. They say it takes 63 days to develop a new habit; I have rarely stuck to a resolution for 63 days. Change is hard when you don’t have a compelling reason.
But when you get that call from your doctor telling you the bad news that you have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, it stops you in your tracks; life is no longer trundling along reasonably well. You now have that compelling reason. The sudden halt caused by that phone call forced me to take stock, evaluate my values and priorities and then look for a path to healing that best suited me.
I was/am already on a medication (for epilepsy) and wanted to limit additional pharmaceuticals, for now at least. Fortunately, I found a doctor who had personal and professional experience with alternative treatments for rheumatoid arthritis and I trusted her to guide me through a jungle of confusing, and often incorrect, information. I finally met someone who could tell me what to do and then I did it.
Remember, I am not a doctor; you should definitely talk to your doctor or medical provider and then decide what the best course of action is for you.
My tale of living with RA
My plan began with a radical shift in diet, a vigorous supplement protocol, an increase in my meditation practice and learning to rest without self-flagellating.
The initial part of my battle took 6 months and yes, it was challenging. But as soon as I started to notice a shift in my health and wellbeing, I was encouraged to stay the course which led to more improvement. It felt like a rolling stone gathering momentum as I developed habits and strategies that worked well for me and my body. After 6 months, I gradually reintroduced foods and learned which ones I could enjoy freely and which were better left in the cupboard.
Living with RA is an ongoing experiment and I often choose to delete or add a habit or food to life so I can observe how it impacts my body. I want to build my immune defenses, strengthen my body and my mind. I want to be an RA Warrior and I am willing to do whatever that takes. Most of the time! Because, as Oscar Wilde said, “moderation in all things, including moderation.”
Final thoughts
However you choose to fight rheumatoid arhritis or another autoimmune disease, know that you are strong enough, disciplined enough and courageous enough to take on this fight and win; if I can do it, then I know you can too.
I have created these articles to give you information that can support your journey to a live-out-loud kind of life, the one you had before the wind was knocked out of you by a single phone call. My hope is that you find hope and strength in these pages and I look forward to travelling with you, my fellow warrior.
I would love your feedback; either comment below or email me your thoughts and story.
