Tag Archives: rheumatoid arthritis

RA-Eats: Fast & Easy Avacado on Toast

25 Tuesday Aug 2015

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One of my favorite snacks is avacado on toast. It is fast, easy, and yummy! An added bonus is how great it is for RA or any autoimmune patients. The avocado and olive oil are chock full of nutrition that keeps symptoms in check and joints nice and limber.

 

Ingredients:

Two or three slices of bread, toasted (can substitute for gluten-free alternatives)

1 ripe avacado

2 tbsp olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

 

ra-friendly avocado on toast

I toast the bread and spread a little butter. I have a severe salty tooth and the butter hits the spot!

I mash the avocado into a paste and salt and pepper to taste. If I am feeling lazy I spread the avocado directly on the toast with a knife and add salt and pepper.

I drizzle about 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the avocado and on the plate because I love sopping up oil with bread!

-If you want to make this a protein-punched power snack fry a couple of eggs and pack them on top!

 

To make this recipe even more RA-friendly, eliminate the butter (which increases inflammation in the joints) and salt and replace the bread with a gluten-free alternative.

 

 

So…

Why are avacadoes, gluten-free bread and olive oil good for autoimmune patients? I did a little research and compiled the more important points below!

Avacados are an extremely high-fat food. However, these monounsaturated fats are good for you. They are easier to digest and maintain the body’s good cholesterol. Eyesight problems increase as autoimmunes progress and avocados are high in the vitamins and minerals that protect the them. Avocados also contain a lot of omega 3 fatty acids which help digestion, control blood pressure and keep hair and skin healthy!

Olive Oil has similar benefits to avacados and this is why, in part, the two compliment each other so well. Olive oil is also a monounsaturated fat. It maintains a healthy blood pressure and reduces the risk of diabetes and certain types of arthritis. Olive oil is also high in antioxidants which help combat oxidative stress to the body’s cells.

Many autoimmune patients are sensitive to gluten, as inflammation from other parts of the body may spread to the gut. Gluten causes irritation and becomes difficult to digest. This, in turn, sets of an inflammatory response in the rest of the body. Many swear by the gluten-free diet! I personally hate it. I have switched to gluten-free granola and pastas but when I am fully gluten-free my energy levels tank!

 

I hope this post was interesting and helpful! Let me know if you like avocados (or not!) and eat this snack already!

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Blame it on the Prednisone

20 Thursday Aug 2015

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This post was inspired by an article I read on RheumatoidArthritis.net. I cannot believe I haven’t yet written about my experiences with prednisone as (no joke) the only sentence that comes out of my mouth on a daily basis is “it’s the prednisone”. The article is linked here.

 

Anxiety attacks? Blame it on the prednisone.

Depression? Blame it on the prednisone.

Paranoia? Blame it on the prednisone!

And it begins…

More often than not I curse my reliance on prednisone. It is the first medication I ever took for Rheumatoid Arthritis. During my first flare I could not get out of bed yet this little bitter-tasting pill at a hefty 15mg dose took down inflammation in three days. Who knew how long I would have been bed-ridden without it.

A little pill taken once a day that nicks inflammation at the source? Sign me up!…Oh wait…The list of side-effects is miles long and more often than not I confuse RA symptoms with prednisone side-effects. I am one of the few who takes prednisone daily and will continue to do so for the rest of my life. This means I have no choice but to weather the good and bad that comes with this “magic” medicine.

I experimented with different doses which ranged from 8mg to 15mg over the past four years. It was the most effective drug I took. I loved it. I hated it even more. I increased as needed and decreased at a snail pace.

Prednisone is a funny little drug. Its human dependancy rivals that of addictive designer drugs. Prednisone messes with the brain. I can experience moments of inexplicable rage and others of intense sadness; feelings I have never experienced at such magnitude. Forget a dose. Forget about it. I do not recognize myself (not to mention the havoc it wreaks on vital organs).

For my own sanity (and the safety of others) I rarely increase above 12mg.

 

Insomnia? It’s the prednisone.

Bitter taste but intense hunger?

Do you see a pattern?

I tolerate a 10mg daily dose well. A year ago I was on 11 and today I am currently attempting 9. Around eight months ago I tried 9mg and experienced what I can only image was withdrawal and a strange swelling sensation in my spine. Okay, Prednisone, you had me at 10mg.

The higher the dose the worse the side effect. Three years ago when I experienced a bad flare I quickly increased to 13mg per my doctor’s instruction; with it, I experienced my first ever panic attack. I curled up in a ball whimpering  with tears running down my face. I had never experience such anxiety and paranoia. My nerves were on fire and I could not get out of my own head. My four pets tried to sleep with me and I couldn’t share the bed. I shooed them from my bedroom where they stood guard at the door. They couldn’t stay in the room because the walls closed in on me.

 

Weight gain? Blame it on the prednisone.

Moon face?…

What else could it be?

Whenever I increase the prednisone I experience severe bloating and intense hunger. My appetite increases and with it so does bloating of my face and belly which I have fondly (read: not so fondly) nickname “pred belly”. Within the last six months I gained 12 pounds in my face, stomach and thighs and in most photographs I sported a double chin. I felt larger than life and annoyed at the self-esteem I never thought about but thankfully once I lowered the prednisone dose and started exercising again I shed the excess and looked/felt myself again.

Even with all these grievances, though, would I stop the prednisone? That is the million dollar question and as I type it out I realize I do not know the answer. Yes! Because the cons run longer than pros and No! Because no other medication quite compares.

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Quick Update: Biologic Medication Changes

24 Friday Jul 2015

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I am off the Actemra and back on the Orencia. On non-work days I felt okay. Unfortunately, on my work days I might as well have not been on anything at all! No. That didn’t work for me. While I was on the Orencia I was at least functional and…active! It is almost the end of July and I have only been out to work. My favorite season is almost over and I haven’t enjoyed it once. The actual eff??

 

On the flip side, the Orencia obviously did not work well enough. It got me through part time work and some full day schedules. I rarely had to increase the prednisone and I certainly never had to use a walker or cane but, the moment there was excessive stress (read: nursing a dying dog) it quit on me. There was no way I could keep a regular full-time schedule on this medication.

There are a couple of meds I have not tried but my doctor is dead set against me on them. I trust his judgement and from my knowledge of them I am not too keen on trying them either! So, what next? There are new RA medications on the market every year but, at the moment, we have exhausted our options. My rheumatologist referred me to one who specializes in clinical trials.

 

Yes. Clinical trails.

I thought those only existed in movies. Hah, just kidding!…but I think you know what I mean…I never imagined I would consider a clinical trial for ANYTHING.

I have my first appointment at the end of this month so I guess we will find out what the following steps are…I don’t even know what is in store for me!

Until then, and in case I do not qualify for any trials, I am back on the Orencia. I had my first infusion today so I expect to feel a lot better tomorrow! Fingers crossed!

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

You Spin Me Right Round: Fatigue to Insomnia and Back

29 Monday Jun 2015

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Why is it whenever I think about circles I immediately jump to the 1985 song “You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)”?

Storytime: My first encounter with this song was actually a vacuum commercial that aired during I Love Lucy re-runs!

 

What has me thinking about circles? This endless loop of fatigue and insomnia. How are those related? If I am so exhausted shouldn’t I sleep more soundly at night? If only life was that easy! I tend to suffer more insomnia the more flared I am.

Whenever I switched medications I suffered from bouts of insomnia. I would flare up during the periods when the old biologic wore off and the new one had yet to kick in. I became less physically active and found it more difficult to fall asleep at night. I eliminated the more physical activities like climbing, or shopping in actual stores. Errand were spread out over days and I spent most of my time laying down and resting. I was just too flared (from pain or fatigue) to keep them in my daily routine.

When I was in a good place with my medications (especially while on the Orencia) I was more active, happier, “healthier” and as a result, slept better. I climbed, I shopped, I lived! As a result, my sleep hygiene was fantastic.

 

If you read my recent post detailing my “progress” on Actemra, this month, you will remember as the medication wore off, so did my energy levels. I was uncharacteristically tired, run down and list-less (like the I Love Lucy reference?)

All I wanted to do during the day was take naps. I wanted to lay down on my bed and stay there. By the evening, I was so exhausted I wanted to go to bed early and I fell asleep quickly. Until a few minutes later when I was just as awake as though it was morning. Cue the insomnia. If I was so exhausted shouldn’t I sleep better??

I spent a long time thinking about this (as seconds blinked by and minutes turned into hours) and I realized this made perfect sense.

 

When my medications work I have energy. I work, I climb, I go out with friends, I play with my dog, and I chase my cats. I am happier, healthier, and more active.

Research shows that the less the body “exercises”, both physically and mentally, the less likely it will obtain a good night’s rest. Activity stimulates the body and tires it. When your brain and body feel fatigued, it is easier for them to fall into the natural sleep cycle and stay there. 

 

The lack of response to the new Actemra infusion means I am less physically active. Okay, so, work your brain, Monica! This makes me sound somewhat like a moron, doesn’t it? Don’t get me wrong, I read, I love reading; I do my Sudoku, I secretly love crosswords, I blog, I color, I paint my nails, I craft…but that only takes me so far. These activities do not tire my body.

You know when you’re so physically exhausted you lay down and pass out? You’re asleep the minute your head hits the pillow. Your body slows down the internal processes and you recharge.

I am not getting that. My body is at rest all day. I generally sit or recline while I do all of the above activities. As far as my body knows I am already recharging. When I get to bedtime my body does not think I need anymore rest so I toss and turn most of the night.

What a blasted cycle, huh?

 

And, because this music video is hilarious…I give you the 80’s hit:

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Actemra Infusion | May 2015

17 Wednesday Jun 2015

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I never updated on my second infusion, did I? My main goal, with these posts, is to archive my progress while on Actemra. This is for my own personal benefit and for those who are considering this medication. Except for the brand’s website there is very little information available. I sometimes feel like I am running blind.

 

But, first…

A quick review of the first infusion. I handled it well. I experienced no pain, dizziness or fainting during the treatment. I felt slightly nauseous but assumed I needed to adjust to the new medication.

Unfortunately, it was more than a little first reaction. The nausea got worse. I could not keep anything down, including water, for three days! The intensity subsided but I was still nauseous for a week. Stomach upset and ulcers are side effects of Actemra but are also side effects of other TNF inhibitors and thiis was the first time I reacted so poorly to a biologic.

I had a history of medication-induced ulcers and chronic inflammation of my stomach lining and duodenum. At the time, my doctors prescribed Reglan. As long as I maintained my insanely strict diet, Reglan maintained my nausea. After my ulcers healed and I received the all clear to return to my normal diet I kept a couple of these pills on me at all times. I rarely needed them but they were effective.

 

Fast forward to Actemra: Reglan did absolutely nothing. It actually made the cramping worse. My rheumatologist contacted my gastroenterologist and she suggested Zofran.

Story time: Saachi was prescribed Zofran 8mg tablets, as needed for nausea, during her chemotherapy. After she passed away, I donated the remaining pills back to the hospital. This was literally one month before I, myself, was prescribed the exact same medication! While my rheumatologist frowned upon taking “animal pills” I personally had no problem with this. Working at a vet clinic I knew these were good human-grade generic medications. It doesn’t really matter now but I just thought it was funny!

 

Zofran was a stronger anti-nausea I took 2-3 hours before the infusion. It made me groggy so my father drove me (best dad ever) to the appointment.

When Saachi took this medication she drooled and drooled and drooled and lapped up water like it was her only job in life. I now know why: Zofran tastes disgusting. It is a quick-dissolve tablet I place under my tongue. BLEARGH!

 

Now onto the second dose…

 

I tolerated the IV well. I was not nauseous during the infusion or even afterwards! I alternated between the Zofran and Reglan for intermittent stomach upset but the nausea was nothing compared to the previous month.

Where am I now?

I am three weeks post-infusion and I am beyond fatigued. I am past exhausted. I became noticeably more tired last week. I slept more deeply during my naps. Usually, I lay down, close my eyes and rest. I am more or less conscious. Lately, I’ve been out like a lightbulb. I also cannot wake up in the mornings. I am not a morning person, but, when I have to, I wake up early and respond well to my alarm(s). Now, I snooze for at least 15 minutes and over the last few days I overslept by an hour and a half (Thanks, pets, for not waking me up)!

I am only two months into this new medication but this is not cool. Just the idea of being awake makes me more tired. Is this how I am going to feel for four more months until I know the full effect of this medication? This is a really unfortunate way to start the summer!

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Polka Dot Glitter Gradient Nail Art

11 Thursday Jun 2015

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Today I have something pretty easy. The Actemra is wearing off and I am feeling tired. On a brighter note, my new lighted magnifier came and I wanted to test it with a relatively simple design! It definitely helps my tired, dry eyes but I was pleasantly surprised to see how much it helped with cleanup! I didn’t realize how strained my eyes felt after nail art cleanup.

 

Polka Dot Glitter Gradient Nail Art | The Rite of Aging

 

Base: SpaRitual Running with Wolves

Polka Dots: Color Club Wham! Pow!, Zoya Charlotte

Glitter: Sephora by OPI Come to Pappa-razzi!

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Can’t Get Enough of These Gradient Nail Arts

28 Thursday May 2015

Posted by in Nail Art

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I posted this on IG already because I was too excited! I seriously could not get enough  gradients. And, I did not even have to think about what colors to use!  The two blues were sitting next to each other, looking perfect!

 

I promised myself I would practice my freehand skills. I put it off just because it  was really freaking difficult! But, I felt the itch and bit the bullet because there was an  upsurgence of freehand designs on all my feeds.

In the spirit of National Arthritis Month, the gradient is RA-friendly. THE FREEHAND, however, IS NOT. NOT. NOT. I set out only wanting to do one nail (hey, I have to start out slow) and am I glad that was it. Had I wanted to do more, I would not have been able to: I developed a severe case of the shakes. As in, my arm, all the way up to my shoulder was trembling like mad.

Regardless, I am really happy with how my freehand came out! But, I’m a long way from anything too complicated!

I hope you like it!

 

Blue Teal Gradient Nail Art | The Rite of Aging

 

 

  • Blue Teal Gradient with Freehand Accent | The Rite of AgingI started with a base of China Glaze UV Meant to Be.
  • I used a makeup sponge and Barry M Cancun at the cuticles.
  • I used acrylic paint for the accent.

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.