Author Archives: MonicawithRA

Nail Art: Believe or Not Believe

20 Sunday Oct 2013

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To see the accompanying post, click on the images below.

 

I decided to mirror my frustrations about the invisibility of this disease with a dark water marble and my angry little demon stamp. (Which in reality is the cutest thing ever!)

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Apologies on the quality of the photos. It was difficult to capture the marble. I kept trying to mess with the pictures and this was the best I came up with.

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The bases I used were Milani “Black Swift” and Nails Inc. “London Town”.

I used Milani “Dark Coffee” and Bundle Monsters plate “BM 305” for the stamping.

I marbled with Orly “Bonder”, Sephora by OPI “Mr. Right Now”, “Go My Own Way” and “Cover Me in Petals”, and Milani “Dark Coffee”. 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

NAIL Oct. Theme 3: Things that Go Bump in the Night

20 Sunday Oct 2013

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My pets make the most noise during the night. For nocturnal beings, they have the worst eye-sight and tend to bump into everything! They are such weirdos. They drown out all other noises!

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I used Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear “White On”, Sephora by OPI “Go My Own Way” and “Cab Fare“ as my bases for this manicure.

I really like how Essie “No Place Like Chrome” stamps. It’s really opaque. I have to let it dry a little on the stamping plate though because it is awfully slippery. I also used Milani “Dark Coffee” for stamping. I used Bundle Monsters plate “BM 316” and “BM 323”.

For the marble I used Sephora by OPI “Go My Own Way”, Urban Outfitters “Blue Velvet”, and Essie “No Place Like Chrome”.

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Nail Art: It Ain’t Easy Feeling Green

18 Friday Oct 2013

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To see the accompanying post click on pictures below.

Given how I have been feeling I am surprised I went with a bright green. I guess when I feel low I still opt for bright colors! That is a good sign.

I initially wanted to do the water-color technique on the middle and pinky finger but I ended up keeping them clean.

 

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I am on the fence about the index finger. I like the color scheme but it does not really match the water marble. I love love love how the marble came out though.

Base:  Sephora by OPI “It’s Totally Karma”

Marbling: Sephora by OPI “I Come in Peas” and Wet n Wild “Black Creme”

  • I started with a marble with both colors then I marbled again with “I Come in Peas”

Dotting: Milani “Peacock”, Cult Nails “Deal with It”, and Sephora by OPI “I Come in Peas”

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Dumb Sh*t People Say: RA Edition – Series Two, Part Two

17 Thursday Oct 2013

Posted by in Dumb Sh*t People Say Series, Rheumatoid Arthritis

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“Why don’t you find another way to get out of bed?”

 

Well that is a novel idea, is it not? Why don’t I just find another way to do something.

Thank you for the great insight into my life. I did not even think about trying something different.

I am perfectly content wallowing in my self-pity of losing my abilities.

I am perfectly content to just let my auto-immune defeat me.

 

Am I happy just laying in bed until my body allows me to get up? Have I not considered other solutions to this dilemma?

 

Furthermore, I do not like the reminder that my body fails me.

I work very hard to keep my illness under wraps. I try very hard to remain able-bodied.

Sometimes, I cannot help it. Sometimes, I cannot get out of bed.

This is what I have to work with.

 

Part One shows why this is not ok to say.

There will be no third part. I find this comment extremely rude and cannot find any silver lining.

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Urban Decay Naked Polish “Smog” vs. SpaRitual “Running with Wolves”

13 Sunday Oct 2013

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It is no surprise that my favorite nail polish from the Urban Decay Naked Nail Polish set is “Smog”. It so happens to be my everyday color from the Naked I eyeshadow Palette. 

I am sure I am not the only person who wishes Urban Decay made these polishes full size. Until they do, however, I will continue to search for a passable dupe.

 

ALL PICTURES TAKEN WITHOUT TOP COAT.

Index, Middle & Pinky fingers: Urban Decay Smog

Ring finger: SpaRitual Running with Wolves

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Smog has a dependable formula. It does not streak and it has a great consistency. I reach opacity with one coat but for a richer color I use two. It is a heavenly brownish-red with gold shimmer. I may dare to say it has duo chromatic tendencies because in certain lights it appears purplish-brown. I love this color because it does not wash me out as most browns do.

 

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SpaRitual Running with Wolves is a bright copper with gold tones.  I reach full opacity with one coat but for fuller color I use two. It has a fantastic formula. It is a little thick but easy to work with. It applies smoothly and does not streak. The finish is very shiny.

 

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In some lights, both polishes look almost the same. Running with Wolves is warmer and brighter than Smog. The shimmer is more noticeable in Smog than in Running with Wolves.

The finish on both polishes is shiny, however, Running with Wolves dries a little glossier.

I really enjoy both colors. I like Smog just a little better. Running with Wolves is a great golden brown but I prefer the more muted tone. Brighter browns tend to make my skin look dull.

Overall, I think the polishes are quite different. Regardless, Running with Wolves passes my dupe test for Smog.

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Too Sensitive (…To the Side-Effects of Prednisone)

12 Saturday Oct 2013

Posted by in Rheumatoid Arthritis

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The most annoying part about living with rheumatoid arthritis is dealing with medication side-effects. This is the reason I am writing a post at 2am when I have to be awake for work at 7.

Prednisone is a life-saver. It takes down inflammation in my joints quickly and is the “quick-fix” of all my medications. What I mean by that is I can easily increase the dosage to aid me through a flare.

The problem with that is it has the worst side-effects.

I rarely go over 12mg of prednisone. I get awful insomnia, bad anxiety and sometimes I just want to drive my car into oncoming traffic.

I would rather take more Tramadol than prednisone.

Recently, any change in pred causes insomnia. Whether it is 9mg or 10, whether I increase or decrease, it does not matter. I get insomnia.

 

For months I had difficulty falling asleep. My mind raced with thoughts about RA, nerves about my future, etc.

I finally overcame that. I channel thoughts away from my body. I meditate and allow my mind to blank. My limbs grow heavy and I roll my spine up and down to release any tension. I then lay flat on my back and count down from five as I breathe in and out. I push stray thoughts out of my mind.

I drift to sleep.

 

I do not stay asleep.

 

I used to take sleep aids: Ambien, Benadryl, Remeron…but I had more bad side-effects than the good ones.

Each day is different when it comes to how much prednisone I take. I increase a little when I have work or exercise. I lower on the days I stay in and rest.

My doctor wants me on 8mg but on work days there is no way that is enough.

Before the insomnia whenever I changed prednisone doses I would either shed weight or gain it, and I would always get “moon face” or noticeable puffiness in my face.

 

 

Hopefully, this is just a phase.

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Dumb Sh*t People Say: RA Edition – Series Two, Part One

11 Friday Oct 2013

Posted by in Dumb Sh*t People Say Series, Rheumatoid Arthritis

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“Why don’t you find another way to get out of bed?”

 

I said it is difficult for me to get out of bed. Some mornings I have to “work” my joints into moving.

…

I do not even know how to respond to this comment. It is very specific but I know this person meant everything, in general.

Sometimes I cannot just throw my legs over the edge, sit up then stand.

Please, anyone out there, if you have another way of getting out of bed please tell me.

Maybe I could roll off the bed onto the floor. Theoretically I get out of bed. Then what? If I cannot rise from bed how in the world am I supposed to get off the floor?!

Not to mention, the roll would be difficult on my elbows.

 

This is the most absurd comment I have ever heard in response to my musings about RA.

I wake up with swelling in the mornings. Some mornings more than others.

If I cannot get out of bed I cannot get out of bed. End of story. There is no “other way”.

I face obstacles like this every day. Barriers that I cannot get around. These are not something I can overcome. They are boundaries.

 

Do not get me wrong. I have found many creative and interesting ways to get around these limitations but some things I cannot help.

For example:

  • Using silverware
  • Writing
  • Brushing my teeth

Looking at the list I realize for everything except for writing I have actually found ways to get around the conventional use.

 

Regardless.

This is the new reality.

 

Part Two contains my personal reaction.

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.