Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis

I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at around 18 months. My Mom said I was walking and just stopped, so she took me in. I remember visits to the rheumatologist (Dr. Geringer, who basically watched me grow up), lots of blood work and various medications.

By the time I hit high school my flare ups were rare and I felt like maybe I kicked this thing. Sure, I've had the occasional flare up here and there (usually when it's really cold or if it's really rainy) but still nothing out of the ordinary. So when I do have a flare up, it sucks because it's pretty much out of the blue.

I had a flare up last week. I was so stiff, tired and just over it. Then, I came down with "something viral".  I've noticed this happens a lot during flare ups, the mysterious case of the yuckies.  It sucks.

However, no matter how much it sucks I have to remind myself I have it easy and there are people out there that have it worse than I do. I do not have to be on medication and my flare ups are rare. I think I can live with the occasional case of the yuckies.