I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis in 2005, just one month after my 30th birthday. At first my doctor thought that my symptoms were a reaction to anesthetic from a major surgery that I had a few months prior. I ached and my energy level was low, but when the joints in my hands, feet and knees began to swell she concluded that it was Rheumatoid Arthritis and gave me the news.

My joints were ballooned, but wrapping my mind around that fact and accepting it seemed worse than the pain I was experiencing. My thoughts raced,”This can’t be right, I’m too young!” My daughters were 5 and 8 at the time- I had a household to run. “What about music?!” I’ve played the piano my whole life and had just bought a guitar. And my art. “Would I be able to hold a paint brush and continue painting?”

I had a very sympathetic and helpful doctor who gave me a lot of hope and options to choose from. She told me I had an excellent chance of overcoming the painful symptoms and leading a happy, healthy life.

I’ve come across information and discovered many things about Rheumatoid Arthritis over the past few years. It’s a continual learning process because what may work for one person may not work for another. I’ve found diet and exercise play a major role in my pain and energy management, plus a few other tricks.

I’m excited to get this started and to share my triumphs and hurdles with you as we ENJOY life -DESPITE Rheumatoid Arthritis!

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