Tag Archives: rheumatoid arthritis

Summer Days Aren’t Here To Stay | RA & Nail Art

16 Tuesday Aug 2016

Posted by in Nail Art, Rheumatoid Arthritis

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This summer, I snagged a science camp job at my old elementary school. I had a blast! I forgot how much I loved working full-time, waking up early, and going in for the same job every day.

But, while I looked forward to each session (four in total over seven weeks) I barely made it out unscathed. I was a total wreck by day’s end. If I wasn’t a full on zombie from fatigue and pain I was totally disabled.

I tried to sit or “rest” as often as I could but camp was not only teaching science. The day was a hodgepodge of walking to and from recess across campus, transitioning students to their afternoon camp and depositing them in aftercare at the end of the day. Of course, my co-teacher and I swapped responsibilities daily but with an active form of Rheumatoid Arthritis, I still found this work load difficult.

The age range of students was rising Kindergarten all the way to rising 4th grade. The younger kids definitely needed help with some activities. I continuously moved about, lifted materials and helped with finer motor activities. I took part in games and walked around recess to keep an eye on my group.

I came in early and left late. I set up and scrubbed down the classroom every day. If this were an all-year thing I definitely could not keep up, no matter how much I willed myself. But, given that it was seven weeks, I muscled through.

I froze my climbing membership (no way I could drag myself up the wall after work or even on the weekends) and I declined all social engagements. This was a major bummer as summer was my favorite season and the only few months of the year I enjoyed going out. More time for nail art and blogging then! Nope. I was so spent by the end of the day I could barely use dinner utensils let alone maneuver a polish brush.

In the end, was it all worth the long hours, the lost sunny days of summer? Oh yes! I think so. Even though I spent a bulk of the summer in a perpetual painful flare-up I enjoyed every minute I was at work.

 

And, for your enjoyment, I have some summer-y pink lemonade nails to share with this post! I hope you like them!

pinklemonade

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

 

Neon Sugar-Spin | Nail Art

09 Thursday Jun 2016

Posted by in Nail Art, Rheumatoid Arthritis

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Nothing to disclose.

I have been in a fantastical mood recently. Last week, I felt so great after my infusion I climbed Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. This week, I climbed Tuesday and Wednesday (and hopefully today).

I am not sure why I feel so good this month versus last month. It might have everything to do with being ill. I had a serious sinus infection and as a result I flared up badly. On top of everything else, it was rainy and dreary so I barely got any vitamin D which reduces inflammation in the body.

neonsugarI tend to wear neons more when I am in a good mood. I crave them more when I’m in a bad mood but it was so bad I couldn’t enjoy the bright beauties!!

I had a little extra time and decided to sugar-spin over my favorite neons. The colors are different but the brown glitter really ties them together.

I hope you like it!

Join my Spoonie family!

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sugarspinneonBases: SinfulColors Whiteboard (white undies), from pinky to index — American Apparel Neon Purple, Color Club Warhol, Wham! Pow!, China Glaze Daisy Know My Name?

Sugar-Spin: butter London Scuppered

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Yellow & Grey Smoosh Nail Technique Nails

31 Tuesday May 2016

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I didn’t have my smoosh nails ready for #SmooshyNailSunday because I had a rough weekend. I sat for my Orencia IV infusion on Friday and without thinking went to a movie on Saturday (if you are not familiar with Orencia it is an immuno-suppresant medication). A crowded theater was probably not the best place for me. My friends and I met at the climbing gym, walked to the theater and back. By the end of the night I nearly fell asleep standing up.

I added insult to injury by re-adjusting my sleep schedule. Disney Channel celebrated their 100th original movie by airing all 100 movies, starting this weekend. They were on around the clock and of course, the best ones were between 12 and 4 am. If you are a 90s kid you will appreciate my situation.

The weather was beautiful but I spent it swollen, lethargic and all around low. Of course, this means it’s no better time for an arthritis friendly nails. The smoosh nail art technique is simple, easy and quick and a go to for me when my Rheumatoid Arthritis is flared up.

I hope you like my yellow and grey look. I added clock water decals because this weekend marked my longest reaction to Orencia, to date.

 

smooshyellowBase: SinfulColors Whiteboard

Smoosh: ziploc baggie, stamper, Zoya Pippa, OPI No More Mr. Night Sky, Pipe Dream Polish Sonic Transducer

Decals: Pueen Cosmetics

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Dumb Sh*t People Say….Part One

21 Saturday May 2016

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

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“I heard exercising cures RA. You should just do more of that!”

And I heard if you shove your head far enough up your ass you can see your stomach!…

Okay, so that is a little harsh. But…not really.

 

If you do not live with chronic pain or a physically disabling autoimmune you can’t imagine what it feels like. You can’t google Rheumatoid Arthritis and immediately understand what it means to have it. You don’t know, well, until you know!

 

Long ago I stopped giving people the benefit of the doubt. Many say I’m too severe and expect too little of them. But what I’ve learned is people just want to sound intelligent. They love to sound like they know what they’re talking about. It’s human nature to be superior. Lao Tzu, the founder of Taoism, once said “Those who know don’t talk. Those who talk don’t know”. The above statement is a prime example of this.

I realized that when people talk it is not because they care but so they feel better about themselves. They think that if they look up a few facts on the internet, regurgitate the information I give them, they sound caring. In reality, they just annoy me.

Yes, you’re partially right. Exercise does alleviate symptoms of RA, however, too much of it can have the opposite affect and do more damage than good. Why? Too much motion and repetitive motion exacerbates inflammation around the joints, causes the immune system to react and attack. I probably don’t have to mention that there is no cure for the keyword: chronic autoimmune condition. So, no, I can’t just exercise the RA away but, gee, thanks for trying.

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Orencia – Month Seven | Rheumatoid Arthritis & Nail Art

01 Monday Feb 2016

Posted by in Nail Art, Rheumatoid Arthritis

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I have been on Orencia Abatacept for seven months. This is around the time we see the effects plateau. I took Orencia three times previously, both in subcutaneous and interveneous forms and each time I saw a dip in its effectiveness.

Orencia always works better than the other biologic medications. I feel less fatigued, painful and swollen. I also do not have any reactions to it which is a huge bonus.

And, even though this medication works best, the effects only last a couple of weeks. When I feel well, I wake up early and only need a short nap during the day but as the Orencia wears off I sleep later in the mornings and pass out for hours at a time during the afternoons. Sleeping is the best. I love napping but if I look back on the past five years I realize I spent more than half of it not awake! That’s a lot of time wasted…

When I go in for my infusion I am down for the count for a couple of days. I am not necessarily lethargic or painful, just a little out of it. Once the following week rolls around I snap back to attention, I have a bounce in my step and I feel “better”.

As the Orencia builds up in my system I do not think I will feel “better” immediately after each infusion but I shouldn’t feel worse. I still crave sleep and feel a noticeable dip in energy toward 3 or 4 pm. I am not sure if this is normal for seven months into this medication.

I sometimes feel like climbing after work but more often than not I just feel tired. The farther I have to drive (for work) the less likely I can do anything afterwards. I am usually too exhausted to even do my nails!

 

Regardless of my grievances, I prefer Orencia more than the other biologics but I wish it worked even better. But, I guess, beggars can’t be choosers!

Below, is the nail art I made for this month’s Orencia post. I hope you like it!

1-orenciadotsBase: Milani Power Periwinkle (old formula)

Dots: Zoya Crystal (un-matte), China Glaze UV Meant to Be, Pop Beauty Pacific Hoot, Glitter Gal Australia Bluemerang, Milani Blue Print (new formula)

Matte Top Coat: Essie Matte About You

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Orencia | August 2015

03 Thursday Sep 2015

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I sat down for my second dose of Orencia two Fridays ago. I had been off the medication for three months and it was completely out of my system so for the week prior to the infusion I felt pretty low.

I did not have any reactions to the infusion itself except for a little tenderness in the injection arm but that was relatively normal.

Unfortunately, the effects of the medication did not kick in until the end of the weekend. I was extremely lethargic and weak. I kept zoning out and I needed rest after only 20 or 30 minutes of activity. I dropped multiple items and was just “under the weather”. This was beyond annoying but still normal. I generally felt like this for a few months before I fully became used to the medication.

After the weekend I felt fantastic. I lowered the prednisone dose to 9mg (I had been on 10 for nearly a year sometimes increasing to 12mg)! I experience no swelling in my joints or excess pain, and I kept up with a full time summer schedule no problem. The prednisone was not the only medication I changed. I eliminated the extra Tylenol from my evening medications and only took the 300mg that was already part of the Ultracet tablet (37.5mg of Tramadol and 300mg of Acetominophen). I tried to stop the Tylenol in the morning but was not able to do so.

 

So far, I feel better than I have for almost eight or nine months! I exercise every day, my appetite has decreased (a welcome change because of the lower prednisone dose) I feel more alert and overall in better spirits. I am inclined to think this is due to the Prednisone changes than the Orencia because the prednisone really messes with my mood. Of course, if the Orencia was not working I would not be able to lower the Prednisone dose. I do not know how long the Orencia  will work because after a few months I always plateau but for now I will take advantage of feeling awesome!

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

A Purple and Green RA-friendly Waterfall

28 Friday Aug 2015

Posted by in Nail Art, Rheumatoid Arthritis

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It has been one of those weeks. I was unmotivated, lethargic, but extremely restless. Half the time, I tried one of the many nail ideas flitting through my head but none of them looked right; the other half I just couldn’t bring myself to even try. Do you ever have those days? Weeks? Months, maybe? I wouldn’t call it depression, I thought it was more of a flare. My eyes were more dry than usual, the skin on my lips flaked off and I was uncharacteristically fatigued (even though my joint pain was minimal).

Regardless, I sat down and pushed through this strange phase and went with a quick, RA-friendly waterfall look. I had no particular feelings for this nail art (ah, motivation) but I did like how it came out. I hope you do too!

 

Purple & Green RA-friendly Waterfall #NailArt | The Rite of AgingBase: Formula X for Sephora Thrilling

Details: acrylic paints

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.