History of Sorts

Many of you will know that I have Rheumatoid Arthritis. I received a diagnosis in 2017, but more than likely, I had it before that.

To briefly explain what Rheumatoid Arthritis is—this is what the Mayo Clinic said about it:
“Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder—that can affect more than just your joints. In some people, the condition may damage a wide variety of body systems, including the skin, eyes, lungs, heart, and blood vessels.
An autoimmune disorder, rheumatoid arthritis occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks your body’s tissues.”

There is no cure as of yet, and what triggers it is also not really known. There are some theories, but none are definitive. It is an invisible disease because people who have it don’t always appear to be ill. Treatment can vary from patient to patient.

While I have seen an increase in “advice” via social media, most of it is well intended but, in general, poorly researched. People talk about cures, potions, cremes, herbs, etc. Also, a lot of them turn into conspiracy theories about “Big Pharma.”

I live with it, and I know what it would mean for me if this “Big Pharma” wasn’t around. I have a cocktail of medication.

Methotrexate is a low dosage of chemotherapy, not to the extent as with the treatment of cancer.

Humira is a fully human monoclonal antibody, a so-called biologic. It is a prescription medicine used alone, with methotrexate, or with certain other medicines to reduce the signs and symptoms of moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis in adults. It prevents further damage to bones and joints or at least slows down the progression of the disease.

Humira is taken as an injection that I take once a week.

Why am I saying all this?

Prior to using the medication, I came to the stage where I could not lift my arms anymore and had difficulties walking. I even caused myself other types of pain to distract from the pain caused by Rheumatoid Arthritis. At one stage, I even thought that death possibly would not be the worst thing that could happen to me.

The medications provided by “big pharma” to me have given me a reasonably “normal” life again. So, if you don’t know what the disease is, please keep your well-meaning advice about herbal cures, etc, to yourself and instead educate yourself.