It is likely that I have rheumatoid arthritis.
I still haven’t been officially diagnosed, but the symptoms are there. It is a persistent and chronic condition. Which means that, it’s going to gradually get worse and it’s never going to go away. And strangely, except for the occasional tantrum, this doesn’t bug me too much. It’s not like I can undo it or that I had a lot of control over it’s presence in my life. It is a part of me, but not the end of me. Then again, maybe my attitude is in part because I haven’t been officially diagnosed. I can still retain some level of denial. That alone might be more worthwhile than getting diagnosed and put on hard-core drugs.
I have started taking measures though. Keeping track of pain, maintaining a healthy weight, pulling back on exercise when it might be too much. (I’ve given up playing ulti tournaments, a decision that has been pretty painful especially considering that the area might finally be putting a serious women’s team together.) I’ve been monitoring my pain meds and started splinting and taping when I need to. Keeping track of other factors that might cause a flare-up. But I wonder where I’ll be in five years. How much worse am I now than I was five years ago? Hard to tell. I wasn’t really dialed in. It is rather interesting to note that it was five years ago that I threw out my back for the first time.
Anyway. I should do my weights and then kick Eric out of bed. We’re to go up to Anne’s this afternoon, but we need to get a gift for Hailey first. I woke up at 8:30 to the phone ringing, but have managed to get nothing done.
The Writerly Reader 
I’m sorry to hear then, Ms K. Have you begun investigating alternative medicine – more ‘health-conscious’ diet restrictions and supplements that have worked for some people?
I will take a look at just about anything. I’ve been using glucosamine and chondroitin on and off for a few years and, well, my diet could probably be better. *cough*too much ice cream*cough*
I’m generally pro regular medicine, but when the option is long term meds that might damage my liver or screw with my blood production? It doesn’t seem like a slam-dunk choice for an otherwise healthy 33 year old.
I don’t have experience with arthritis, but I’ve read and been told that mucus-binding foods accelerate the problem. That would mean letting go of ice cream, cheese, milk, etc… and gluten-based foods. You might try the no-dairy/no gluten for a month and see if it makes a difference for you. I know it’s a hard diet to maintain. But once a month is gone by, if you’re better you can try adding back the gluten… see which one or if both are a culprit for you.
That might be worth looking into. But, uff, no cheese? The other half of my diet that isn’t ice cream is pizza! 😉
And the pizza dough is probably wheat – which means gluten underneath the cheese. It’s a hard diet, even for a few weeks. But it will let you know if relief can come through diet. You might check Dr Andrew Weil as well.