All those steroids, immune-suppressants, HCQS and many such unpronounceable names of tabs and caps may be commonplace now, thanks to Covid-19, but I have known them since 2018.
After waking up almost daily with sore and stiff joints, I could, no longer, live in denial and visited an orthopaedic doctor and a couple of blood works later, I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), a rather common, degenerative, auto-immune disease characterised by chronic inflammation in the joints and eventual deformities. Note - Use of acronym is solely to ease pressure on finger joints!
Auto-immune disease? A condition where my immunity decided to target my body. Or in plain terms, my crack-head immunity cannot differentiate between an external threat like bacteria or virus and my body’s healthy cells. So, it goes on a self-destruction rampage. The icing on the cake? Its incurable and will last till I last. I hear your eyes pop!
So, what happens next? One can experience a myriad thing. Like learning creative ways to hold a spoon when the thumb doesn’t move, or a Charlie Chaplin-esque gait especially when one gets up to walk. In my case, I am trying to fine tune 101 ways to eat elegantly on the days when my jaws shut tight. Does it mean the British ‘stiff upper lips’ has its origin in RA?
The medicines mentioned in the opening line are part of allopathic treatment prescribed for this disease. They are nasty but unavoidable, especially if RA causes severe damages. For instance, recently when HB count in my blood dropped to 3, doctors pinned the blame on RA, the silent Jack the Ripper. I would like to imagine it to be a stealthy vampire (inspired by the gazillion movies and novels on suave, hot vampires) that lurks in the shadow until it gets that one moment to suck you dry. While an unsuspecting RA patient adjusts to living with gradual decline of joint mobility, the under currents of RA are rather strong to jolt the human body. Four units of blood later, I am wiser and a reluctant advocate of frequent, regular health check-ups.
Sugar, processed food, wheat, rice, starch, dairy, animal protein, several plant proteins will be my Achilles’ heel till I tread this planet. Most of the days I succumb to the temptation or I am a slave to quick survival hacks. Selecting the right lunch is like making my way through a labyrinth and most days I fail. Imagine eyeing a plateful of your love, favourites, or usuals with suspicion. The food, in return scorns me. Never will they be my best friend ever. Millions of my fellow RA survivors fight these mini battles every single day of their lives.
Now your friends want to climb mountains, you think twice before nodding. The season’s best marathon is in town, you rethink participation as your struggle to tie shoelaces enters day 7. Your boss sees the fire in you and approves an official tour to Ireland. At that moment all you can think of is what happens if I get late for trainings thanks to my struggle to strap the bra on time due to a frozen shoulder or fingers? Not the happiest moments of contemplation, right?
The fun doesn’t end there as a renowned rheumatologist explained. One auto-immune disease can invite more of its fellow brethren and in no time, it’s a riot. One day it’s the muscles, another day the bones and the next day the mind. Wait, what? The mind? Yes, my lovelies. One of the more sleek, auto-immune villains, Lupus, can trigger depression and other psychological disorders! Ask Selena Gomez, one of the many super celebrity Lupus patients!
I do not intend to scare you dear reader or generate sympathy for my present condition. What I hope is that there is enough awareness not to ignore the initial fatigue or the painful change of side in bed.
The next time I ask you to open the purse for me or unlock my door or seem too shy to look straight into your eyes, do not mistake it as a hint to take our relationship or friendship to the next level. It may just be one of ‘My hands Don’t Work’ or ‘Neck Sore and Stiff’ days.
P.S – Do not fret. Ayurveda, Homoeopathy and Allopathy have proven medication to control the disease.
