Unfortunately, this is RA Everyday’s last official blog post to close out the 8 weeks.
These last eight weeks have flown by. Rheumatoid Arthritis and the topics we have covered are so important and often are not covered or explained. I would like to thank everyone who has taken time to read my posts, followed/interacted with RA Everyday on Instagram and Twitter, and supported me along this journey.
Looking back…
Over the past 7 weeks we have covered:
To summarize...
For our final weeks post, I want to summarize each of the previous 7 posts and point out the key takeaways.
Welcome- In this post, I talked about how my angle is unique because I was diagnosed so young and because I played competitive sports before, during, and after my diagnosis. I talked about how my goal of this blog was to help and support others, give advice and tips, and ultimately, inspire and inform. I talked about how Autoimmune diseases are challenging, no matter what type and I want to help inform and teach others how they can personally manage. I also gave an overview of the next 8 weeks.
My Journey- I began this post with some key vocabulary about Rheumatoid Arthritis that they would need to know before reading the rest of my entry. I then began to tell my story of when and how I was diagnosed, treatments (medications), how many and which joints have been involved, playing D1 Field Hockey, getting new medications, and information about Humira.
Myths and Misconceptions- Here I broke down 6 myths and misconceptions when it comes to having RA. Below I have included the 6 and a short summary of why they are wrong.
RA is for old people- Wrong: It can be anyone of any age... adults, young adults, teens, children... any age.
RA only affects joints-Wrong: It does mainly affect joints, but it can also affect organs, immune system, and mental health
Exercise is bad for RA- Wrong: Exercise can reduce pain and stiffness, boost strength and flexibility, help decrease depression and fatigue, and prevent long-term issues
Theres nothing you can do about RA, you just have to live with it- Wrong: Although there is no cure, you can take medications, manage stress, get good sleep, etc
Avoid medications because the side effects are bad- Wrong: Not taking medications or good care of your joints can be more risky than any side effect. RA can cause permanent damage to joints, cartilage, and tissues.
RA doesn't affect you in normal, everyday life- Wrong: You'd be surprised at the normal, everyday things that can be difficult. Going up and down stairs, opening jars, and wearing rings are just a few.
Diet: Good and Bad things to eat when having RA- In this post I talked about how what you put in your body is important. Eating healthy is crucial not just for overall health, but also for your mental health, energy levels, and boosting your immune system. I then broke down three diets; Paleo, Mediterranean, and Gluten Free. I talked about what you can and can't eat, as well as pros and cons of that specific diet. When following these diets, it's also important to take vitamins. Medications can cause deficiencies and vitamins can help. I finished the post by talking about my personal experiences. Personally, alcohol and a surplus of sugar make my symptoms flare severely.
RA and Competitive Sports- I talked about the struggles faced when playing competitive sports and having RA. I talked about my experience of playing soccer from the ages of 4-16, when my diagnosis was at the age of 9. Soccer became harder for me because my left knee and both ankles would swell pretty frequently with fluid and need to be drained. Playing college field hockey was extremely rewarding, but difficult on my body. With this entry I wanted to show that you can make it to the next level with RA. I then talked about multiple professional athletes from different sports.
The Caro Cheat Sheet- This blog post was a little different from the rest. I created an infographic of 6 tips and tricks.
Eat Right: Avoid sugar, drink enough water, and try diets.
Get Good Sleep: Avoid caffeine at night, increase exercise, create a bedtime routine, go to bed at the same time each night, and avoid screen time before bed.
Hot and Cold: Heat releases tension and helps pain and stiffness. Cold reduces swelling and numbs areas. Try hot showers and cold compresses/packs
Exercise Regularly: This can help decrease fatigue and depression and decrease stiffness and pain. Try RA friendly workouts like walking, stretching, and low impact.
Relax! Ease Stress: Meditate, unplug from your phone, and say no more often to conserve energy.
Extra Tips: Listen to your body, wake up slowly and stretch, have a solid support system, and try over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications.
RA and Mental Health- Mental health is important for everyone to take care of, but RA patients are more prone to anxiety and depression. Here I also broke down the definitions of anxiety and depression. I gave facts about RA patients and mental health issues. pain leads to stress and stress then releases chemicals that can change your mood. I then offered ways to treat/ manage anxiety and depression. Finally, I talked about my personal struggles with mental health and ways I cope.
In Conclusion...
I would like to thank everyone again for following along, I will not be posting weekly but do not plan on stopping my blog permanently.
Rheumatoid Arthritis doesn't have a cure and continues to be something people don't talk about enough. Please feel free to contact me with your thoughts, ideas, personal journeys, topics you want me to discuss, ETC.
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