What did you do??

That's what everyone asks me when they see me limping around. Well, fellow employee I've worked with for over a year, I have arthritis, remember? "Awhh, my grandma has that." *sigh*. What I hear on an hourly basis. Anyhow...it seems with summer my foot pain has only gotten worse, not better. My ankle is swollen all around...my dad is pressuring me into starting Enbrel. I've done tons of research on the matter...it just doesn't sound like something I want. Mainly because the chances of getting lymphoma or other cancers are threefold that of normal people. Yes, I'm aware my chances of getting cancer are already higher due to my inflammatory disease. However, I don't really feel the need to increase that risk. I read a post where someone with RA actually got much better with their arthritis after a year on Enbrel, only to be diagnosed with stage 4 lymphoma just a couple of months later. Sorry, but no. This doesn't mean I'm going to let RA damage my joints and organs...I'm all for other options. There is more than just one option, and I wish that instead of just automatically turning them all down, my dad would see that. Yes, Enbrel may work. But other things work too. And other things won't possibly give me cancer. Anyway...this pain sucks. But I have a beautiful new aquarium to enjoy while I lay crippled in bed=]

A new start...a healthier life

Unlike most other carefree young adults, I have to actually watch things I eat or drink or even do activity wise. I was born with an auto-immune disorder, which results in an inflammatory response throughout my entire body during flare ups. My main problems have been in the joints in my feet and ankles, but I've also had numerous stomach problems and other unfortunate side-effects of my own immune system attacking itself. Now that I am older and more aware of my situation and how it could affect my future, I've decided to take my health into my own hands and not let myself be a victim. I am very high risk for diseases such as Crohn's, and even developing cancer because of my body's almost constant state of inflammation. Foods like simple carbs, sugars, etc. are incredibly bad for my arthritis and I can really tell a difference after I spend a week drinking nothing but sodas and eating burgers.

I cannot help the damage that is going to occur on it's own from my body's inflammatory problem. I CAN, however, start doing everything possible to not add any more stressors to my body, and even lessen my own already-existing problems. (This is a HUGE reason why I don't drink, didn't ever drink, and will never drink. It is downright one of the worst things I can do to my poor tummy/joints/overall health). Think of what fats/sugars/alcohol do to regular healthy adults....not good, right? Well now multiply that by 1o, and that's how it affects me.

Starting about a week ago, I started drinking water daily...like crazy. Way more than the recommended eight 8 oz glasses. Water is amazingly good for my joints to help keep inflammation down. I've also started religiously taking my vitamins and fish/flax oil pills. Due to my high sensitivity to certain foods because of my auto-immune response, however, I am unable to consume a lot of things--including now fish oil. It made me sick. So I'll stick to flax. This summer starts a whole new lifestyle for me. I have a great, long, life to look forward to...if and only if I start now by taking care of myself. I do NOT judge others for eating crap all the time, I do wish for the ones I love to take better care of themselves only because diseases like cancer and heart disease are rampant in my family history. But I can only control what I do. You only have one life, only have one body. I've decided to stick up for my body and be it's own best friend. I know what's best for me, and I deserve nothing less.

Take care