As 2017 comes to a close, it's been a year of ups and downs for me. DOWNS endured another medicine switch med switch didn't help much RA forced me to give up riding still haven't sold my last bike yet hoping one morning I will wake up and miracuously feel better and start riding again (yeah, I know ... sounds dumber when I type and read it) noticing more mobility problems UPS daughter will deliver twins in January (1st (and 2nd) grandchild) becoming more confident with the camera preparing my first photography exhibit for mid spring I would like to wish everyone a Happy Safe New Year while ..read more

Good news ... the Cimzia is working. Or is it just that the weather has turned hot and dry that is helping me out? I am guessing it is both. While I am doing better, I'm not doing "riding" better. I have my last bike that I own for sale now and I'm moving on. Giving in has not been easy, it never is, but I'm enjoying photography as a distraction from RA now. Below are a few shots I have pulled off this summer.  Milky Way with passing car light trail  Eclipse shot through solar filter Light trails shot through suspension bridge  One of our hummingbirds  Natural Dam und ..read more

I'm doing ok with the switch to Cimzia. Not great ... just ok. I have been having up and down weeks with all of the spring storms coming through Oklahoma. What I'm dreading is the start of mowing season. Our yard is three acres with a lot of trees and fence to weed eat around. I have put this off about as long as I can. I have still not sold my last bike yet. I am riding it around the block every couple of weeks to keep it up. I am in the process of buying a full frame Nikon for milky way season this year. I have been shooting a lot of lightning over the past month. I am feeling pretty g ..read more

I fought hard the first 12 years after being diagnosed. Back up ... I was lucky the first 12 years after being diagnosed. The last 3 years has been pretty brutal on me. At diagnosis, after being reduced to just barely being able to walk, the drugs took over and did a remarkable job of battling my immune system and awarded me with many extra years of active life. I would read how others struggled with this disease, diagnosed around the same time to even after I was and were not able to do much if any. I, despite living with this disease, didn't get it! I know that everyone is different and what ..read more

We are looked down on in todays society. I actually had a guy say to me once, "oh, that's what is wrong with you". We work hard to maintain an outward normal appearance only to be judged often times as fakers or attention seekers.   I am still struggling to deal with RA stealing my riding away from me. I have thrown myself back into photography as a distraction. While it helps ... it's just not the same as riding. I know the sooner I can accept no longer being able to ride, I can move on. I'm trying.   I have gone back to injections, the infusions just have not worked well ..read more

This is a guest post written by Deanna Power, Director of Outreach at Disability Benefits Help. I know there are some, like me, questioning whether they will be able to work up to retirement age. I am seriously doubting that I will be able to work another 8 years but am also saddened to know that I do not, as of right now, qualify for disability help. Arthritis is a leading cause of disability in the U.S., limiting the activities of nearly 10% of the American adult population and, if predictions turn out to be accurate, it will affect nearly 26% of people over the age of 18 by 2040. There a ..read more

After a long heart to heart with doc yesterday, he did an exam then checked the markers on my blood work and slipped into his office for about 5 minutes. Upon his return suggested that, after comparing my blood work, swelling, CRP, etc, that we try Cimzia. I had started my visit with inquiring about switching to Actemra injections. He said that if I was dead set on them that we could go that way but if the Actemra infusions weren't working well that he was reluctant to go with Actemra injections. I understood his logic, besides ... he is the doctor.   So I started off ..read more

This is a post that I have been putting off for quite a while.   RA has not been kind to me this year, actually starting late last year. I switched meds hoping for a miracle drug to come help me ... that didn't happen. I have adjusted my eating, I still walk everyday and do some light weights when possible. I have cut way back on soft drinks (my single vice that I still have) and drink mostly water and vegetable juice now. All for nothing, I continue to struggle and haven't rode over 1000 miles all year long. Truthfully, probably closer to about 600 miles. I sold one bike in Septembe ..read more

I talked with a friend this morning who has been struggling. She was asking about drugs that I have used, Humira is wearing down for her. I told her "I'm sorry you're in pain" before I realized the irony of that statement. Despite taking high priced, high powered drugs, we still hurt, at least I hurt every day. It takes extra pain for me to admit that I "hurt". 　 I have been where she is before. The drug just doesn't work for you any longer but you keep telling yourself I'm just in a flare right now. Once I get past it I will be fine ... but getting past it never comes. It's scary ju ..read more

I had my infusion yesterday. It typically makes me fatigued and sluggish, so I just came home and cleaned up in the shop and got my bike ready to ride. It feels good wanting to ride again ... perhaps that would be more appropriately stated "feeling good enough to ride again".   Ah, so much for good intentions. My infusion hit me like a ton of bricks. I am working nights temporarily so I stay pretty close to my night schedule on my days off. I went to bed at 3 am this morning planning on being up and leaving on my bike by noon. I got up around 11 as planned and did a couple of things I nee ..read more