Category: life

Day 4 of the Flare-up of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Here’s a link if you would like to listen:

https://anchor.fm/alexandra-mars1/episodes/Day-4-of-the-Flare-up-of-Rheumatoid-Arthritis-e18jgt5/a-a6m6rkn

Yep, it is day four of the flare-up. And I am not feeling the greatest right now as I’m writing this post. Yesterday, I was up real late the night before, and it messed up my sleeping schedule. So, I just took it easy yesterday and didn’t do anything. Today, I just feel really lousy which is normal, dealing with a flare-up.

So yeah I am writing this post trying to decide what I want for breakfast. Do I wanna scramble some eggs or do I just wanna eat some cereal. So yeah. So I took a medication I have to wait about at least 30 minutes before I can eat. So I started thinking that you are wondering how do I prepare meals during a flareup. Which is a good question.

Well, I’ve always been a huge fan of leftovers. And I always like making extra food when I prepare a meal for the times when my energy levels are low or like times like this when I’m dealing with the RA. Which helps when it comes to having food prepared ahead of time. Last night I had leftovers; I had a hamburger, some macaroni salad, and macaroni and cheese that was my dinner. It was delicious.

Tonight‘s dinner is going to be something simple and easy to fix. I’m not spending a lot of time over the stove cooking a huge meal. I want to have some smoke sausage and probably a couple of cans of vegetables. That later this week, I’ll have different kinds of leftovers in my fridge. I like to have variety in my leftovers. And this helps me by taking off the pressure for what’s for dinner? Also, having a variety of leftovers helps with not getting bored eating the same thing over and over again. Still at the same time trying to have a healthy balanced diet as well, which can be hard at times when you’re dealing with a chronic illness like rheumatoid arthritis.

Having leftovers helps to reduce relying on eating fast food. And that’s what I am trying to cut down on. So I use leftovers to make sure I have meals when I need them and when I feel like it I also cook. So this is how I handle what’s for dinner when I have a flare-up.

October Flare-up Day Two

Here’s a link if you would prefer to listen:

https://anchor.fm/alexandra-mars1/episodes/Day-4-of-the-Flare-up-of-Rheumatoid-Arthritis-e18jgt5/a-a6m6rkn

Well, it is day two of my flare-up dealing with the RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis). I am feeling a little bit better than yesterday, and I was able to get my laundry done last night; so that was a huge win in my favor. I talk to my rheumatologist’s office staff and I’m able to get my infusion next week. Hip hip hooray! Now, it’s just surviving until next week to get my meds.

So I’m glad I’m getting my infusion next week. My left ankle joint feels like it is on fire it and it is hurting all the time, and there’s nothing that doesn’t stop the pain unless I’m sleeping. Today, my hips starting are aching. I have been taking extra meds over-the-counter to help with the pain, especially at night. To be honest, this is just my life when I have a flare-up. I’m just doing the basic things to get through my day until I get my infusion.

I am focusing on what I can do instead of what I can’t. And my attitude helps a lot when dealing with a bad flare that’s trying to get worse. If I sit here and focused on what I cannot do I would be so depressed. That I would find myself in a dark place that I don’t want to be. And I find it helps me to focus on what I can do especially when I’m in a lot of pain. So what am I doing? I am working on my blog right now, I plan to read a book later today, and if I feel up to it I am planning to work on a new story outline it’s going through my head. I am focusing on tasks it does not take a lot of energy and where I can sit and do not affect my joints that much. And tonight I’ll probably watch TV again. Perhaps a movie 🎥. So basically the tasks that I’m doing are not putting a lot of stress on my joints or causing me pain.

I’m prioritizing tasks that must get done. I took out the garbage this morning. I am doing tasks that need to get done that can’t wait because I’m in survival mode.

I don’t care that the dishes are not done or my house is messy and cluttered. Or am I’m still in my pajamas. Right now, it’s about me taking care of myself independently to the best of my ability despite having pain. That means that I have to let other things go until I am feeling better.

Oct 7, 2021

Here’s a link if you prefer to listen:

https://anchor.fm/alexandra-mars1/episodes/Oct-7–2021-e18jgt2/a-a6m6r1j

Today, I am dealing with a flare-up from the RA. And it’s taking a lot out of me. My hands, my elbows, my knees, and my ankles are all hurting constantly. I took my regular medication this morning I’m feeling a little bit better but not that much. I’m surprised I have some energy but I’m thinking it is from the prednisone that I took yesterday before I went to hand therapy.

If I didn’t take the prednisone yesterday I don’t think I’d be out of bed today. I would just be doing the bare necessities and not trying to get my laundry done. My rheumatologist doesn’t like me to take them all the time only when it’s absolutely necessary. Because of the side effects from it. And I agree with her on that.

Right now it just hurts to move even with the slightest movement my joints are aching and throbbing. Over the years, I’ve trained myself to move despite the pain but there comes a time after a while I need something to take away the pain. The reason why am in so much pain it’s because I didn’t get my biological medicine because I’ve been so sick. So I’m trying to move up my appointment for this month to get my medicine.

#RAStrong #RAWarrior

September 18, 2021

I’m gonna keep this post short because I’m still not feeling well. I am improving, slowly. Anyway, I want to explain why what is going on.

For most of September, I have been dealing with a lot of mucus caused by my sinuses. It is also ragweed season where I live, and I was exposed to someone who was sick with something. So it is a combination of the perfect sickness storm.

I went to urgent care about a week ago, and I was tested for Covid and the flu which were both negative. After a few days after my visit, then I called and made an appointment with my primary doctor. And she decided that she wanted to test me for Covid again. I’m still waiting for the results from that test but I also believe that that test will also be negative as well.

If I would’ve treated my early symptoms of a sinus infection by having antibiotics in the beginning I would not be this bad. That’s my own fault. But the reason I was hesitant was because of all of the Covid protocols. But I have learned my lesson on that. And now it’s just gonna take some time to get the mucus out of my chest and to get back to my normal.

Update: My second Covid test was negative.