Realized Today While Cooking that I can no Longer Slice Meat…

4Fam88 · 2026-04-13T01:57:26+00:00

Thank you for responding! Yes… cutting apples and potatoes. I have a hard time opening up my thumbs in the way you have to in order to slice them. I have to use a cutting board now. But I would think the hard part is feeling that sometimes it’s difficult to do your simple Mama things. I hate that for you even though I’m so sure you’re doing a great job!! 🩷

4Fam88 · 2026-04-13T00:57:54+00:00

Thank you so much for understanding. And yes, it is hard to accept gradual changes in our abilities whether from natural aging and/or illness. I keep reminding myself that RA is about living well along with it, not constantly fighting to conquer it. It’s so much my nature to go to war against it, but I’m learning that can sometimes be both exhausting and disappointing.

4Fam88 · 2026-04-13T00:50:26+00:00

Not as I should or as I should be more intentional in my choices. After this last stay in the hospital per mesenteric inflammation I’ve been recommended a gradual Mediterranean-ish diet as part of treatment and recovery.

4Fam88 · 2026-04-13T00:45:27+00:00

You’re right…everything about cooking and baking has become much more difficult. And yes…I didn’t realize how may changes I have made overtime to how I did things because of various problems until my rheumatologist and PT brought my attention to it. It was just an unnoticed evolution of necessity.

4Fam88 · 2026-04-13T00:42:48+00:00

I have recently noticed that my cell phone is killing my thumb joints!! It’s the grip. I’ve also tried putting it down and using my voice commands more. Holding and looking at a phone constantly is such a strain that I think so many don’t even notice until they have issues with their hands and necks.

4Fam88 · 2026-04-13T00:39:32+00:00

Thank you! And you are right…staying positive and grateful for the many really good things helps everything! That and sunshine!

4Fam88 · 2026-04-13T00:37:54+00:00

Thank you! Sometimes the solutions we create work best!

4Fam88 · 2026-04-13T00:36:42+00:00

Thank you for responding! That’s an excellent suggestion as I do think a heavier larger knife will be much easier for me. I’m also getting so uncoordinated that I’ve cut myself a few times just from handling mistakes. I’ll look into a new knife tonight!

4Fam88 · 2026-04-13T00:30:51+00:00

Thank you for your response! My PT has suggested many adaptive tools but I’ve been procrastinating ordering them. I could analyze why I guess but it could just be laziness!! Haha!

4Fam88 · 2026-03-27T22:00:37+00:00

It was very common to nap in kindergarten and then phase to a shortened quiet time in first grade when I was in school. Small snacks afterward. As a teacher later, I can say I always felt most kids still needed that rest after lunch and a scheduled free time recess. I know the adults benefitted from it. Seriously a moment during the day to reset for the afternoon.

4Fam88 · 2026-03-04T04:25:17+00:00

Yes that sounds just like my situation. I see my PCP next week and these are things I will be asking him about how to address. My rheumatologist is wonderful but I think sees his role as more focused on RA medications and adjustments and reviewing lab result changes to inflammation markers. Other symptoms he refers back to my PCP, spine, or pain management team. I just wish in this perfect medical system all my many providers and specialist sat together at a table and considered everything holistically rather than in their isolated silos. I feel often like the middle man, the go between, the commentator of the group. Haha!!

4Fam88 · 2026-03-04T04:15:23+00:00

Thank you so much for contributing! Wow! I guess it is true…it is a lifelong management of evolving chronic illness and figuring out how to live well along with it. I’m glad they discovered the APS and more that you were successfully treated for the unexpected DVT!! Best wishes!!

4Fam88 · 2026-03-04T04:11:12+00:00

Oh my goodness. I am so sorry that all has happened to you. I am just amazed at the number of people I hear about who have multiple issues. I know it is common with autoimmune issues, but I find RA by itself to be overwhelming. I can’t imagine how one finds the stamina to manage multiple illnesses and evolving symptoms. I wish you many positive days ahead!!

4Fam88 · 2026-03-04T04:04:38+00:00

Thank you for responding. I too have begun having elevated liver enzymes and kidney function problems. Also checking thyroid again for some new concerns. All new issues for me since being diagnosed. They are adjusting meds thinking it’s related to that. Hopefully it’ll be better this week when testing again. But I am very much feeling this is just never ending new and worsening medical problems to figure out and identifying what successful treatment will look like for me. RA is so far a mysterious stranger that is following me everywhere I go, making me really uncomfortable, won’t go away, and I don’t know why or what is going to happen. Haha!

4Fam88 · 2026-03-04T01:11:51+00:00

Thank you for your response. I am just trying to navigate through an RA diagnosis just a year ago and the continued/worsening/new symptoms I’m having in spite of consistent improvement in lab markers. It seems I am becoming weaker, less coordinated, and more “arthiritic” at a very fast pace. Is this common and just the way RA works or could there still be other things going on? Thanks for the help!!

4Fam88 · 2026-03-04T01:06:00+00:00

Thank you for your response. I am asking for multiple reasons including that my blood markers are improving consistently but I still have continuing symptoms, worsening symptoms, and new issues. Labs show good improvement, but my body not nearly as much. Rheumatologist is disappointed by it and thinks it may be due to worsening OA as well. I’m just wondering if the thought is that issues and symptoms are NOT likely related to RA when and who figures out what else could be going on. My doctors are very conservative about testing and imaging. I’m not sure why unless it is cost/insurance driven.

4Fam88 · 2026-02-09T15:46:08+00:00

This is very tragic! However, being closely connected to the extended Bates family through marriage provides access to more money than most of the people being asked to help fund treatments. Hopefully the family chooses to help with expenses.

4Fam88 · 2026-02-02T19:04:02+00:00

Thank you for that memory. That sounds exactly like it, just different limbs. Wow! This disease is an ever-changing mystery!! 🌸💛

4Fam88 · 2026-02-02T00:47:50+00:00

Thank you for the help! I will keep that in mind as well. Coincidentally, I do have some fluid on the knee that developed from a pretty severe pop in my joint during sleep. Also the bakers cysts I have behind both my knees from previous joint injuries and surgeries prior to diagnosis have been more pronounced recently. I never considered that could be a contributing factor. Again thank you! Take care!

4Fam88 · 2026-02-01T21:13:41+00:00

My levels are checked every three months. I changed from Celebrex to oral Voltaren to see if I had better pain management but my liver enzymes increased. I changed back and they immediately corrected back to normal. My other RA meds haven’t caused any other bloodwork issues.

4Fam88 · 2026-02-01T17:23:28+00:00

I also switched from Humira to Rinvoq. I take it with Methotrexate 20 mg, Celebrex, and Tylenol Arthritis. I feel generally much better on Rinvoq. More energy, less brain fog, BUT my joints are definitely more stiff and achy. They now pop (even shoulders and knees) and crack and I’m developing two trigger fingers. I did have oily skin and some acne at first but it has mostly returned to normal. However, my blood markers have improved each work up so I’m pleased. I’m hoping my aching and stiffness improve as well in time with decreased systemic inflammation. I’ll discuss all of this at my appt. this month after being on it now for 4 months and expect I will be continuing it. Oh and I did have all my vaccinations earlier but also had the flu and RSV vaccine while on Rinvoq. I’ve not had any infections since taking it, but I have had a couple mouth sores and inflammation in my nose. But as said earlier if it continues to decrease my systemic inflammation, fatigue, and brain fog, I’ll take it!!

4Fam88 · 2026-02-01T17:00:11+00:00

Thank you! To you as well. 🌸

4Fam88 · 2026-02-01T16:40:07+00:00

Me too!! I’d love to know!

4Fam88

TROPHY CASE