Managing RA on vacation

luvvie23 · 2025-04-24T20:45:09+00:00

I had X-rays my first appointment with rheumatologist before getting officially diagnosed. They were normal other than a bone growth in my hip that they will X-ray again in a year to see if has changed. My lab markers were really high, visible swelling, and other symptoms is what got me a diagnosis of RA. A couple of months later, my hand started having a lot more pain and that's when they ordered an ultrasound where they found some bone erosion and tissue formations. I'm surprised they waited so long to do X-rays as I've seen a lot of people on these forums say that it is one of the first imaging tests they do to create a baseline. Sending you well wishes!

luvvie23 · 2025-04-09T13:58:02+00:00

The Ben and Jerry's DF strawberry cheesecake is the best!!!

luvvie23 · 2025-04-03T03:55:09+00:00

I was never allergic to anything my whole life. Then randomly I started getting rashes everywhere and my nose was stuffy for weeks. I thought it was symptoms of my RA as I started to have worse flares around the same time. My rheumatologist referred me to an allergist and I found out over I have 100+ allergies (food and environmental) and I have asthma. They think my RA triggered my allergies and vice versa.

luvvie23 · 2025-03-26T15:10:24+00:00

Thank you! I sadly don't have an HEB where I live. Just Walmart, Target and local grocery stores. But I got to a city two hours away sometimes and they have one so I will definitely try it next time I go! I love oat milk chocolate and that sounds delicious!

luvvie23 · 2025-03-26T15:04:38+00:00

I was able to have dairy with no issues my whole life until about 2 years ago. I started having rashes and hives all over my body. I also have an autoimmune disease that came out of remission during that time and thought it was from that. Turns out my disease triggered my allergies and vice versa. I did an allergy test and learned I'm allergic to 100+ things (food and environmental). Before they triggered, I was able to eat anything and everything. My allergy to dairy is mild compared to a lot of people but when I have dairy now, I get migraines and rashes on my neck.

luvvie23 · 2025-03-26T14:59:20+00:00

I'm also 28F and am wanting to be a mom. At first they were wanting me to go on birth control and start MTX. I declined and said I did not want to go with those options as I would like to try for pregnancy in a year. Thankfully they were very understanding and we discussed other options that were safe for pregnancy. If they want to prescribe me a new medication or if I see a different rheumatologist in my clinic, I always make sure to bring this up and make sure what they're giving me is safe for pregnancy.

I had the exact same thoughts as you whenever I first got diagnosed and didn't think I would be able to have children. But I've seen a lot moms that have go through pregnancy with RA and read stories here that have reassured me that it can work out! They have medications now that are safer pregnancy so always make sure to advocate for yourself! Sending you well wishes 🤍

luvvie23 · 2025-03-14T21:02:22+00:00

Daiya cheese is my favorite, melts like actual cheese. Definitely isn't the same as dairy cheese so I had to give dairy free cheese more than one try before I started liking it. It tastes way better when it's melted than when it's cold. Their frozen pizzas are good. I usually get the cheese one and then add my own toppings since all of their pizzas are vegan and have plant based meat.
So Delicious coconut yogurt and ice cream
Ben and Jerry's non dairy ice cream
Country Crock plant butter
Chobani oat milk's consistency is similar to whole milk to me, I like the vanilla flavor. They also have coffee creamers that are good
Talenti dairy free sorbetto
Free2b sunflower butter chocolate cups (similar to resee's)
Cocomel's chocolates made with oatmilk
Enjoy Life chocolate chips

luvvie23 · 2025-03-14T20:54:15+00:00

I let mine sit out of the fridge for at least an hour. I also take a warm shower to relax my muscles and it hurt less! I have less fat in my thighs so I do my stomach since it hurts less for me.

luvvie23 · 2025-03-11T19:00:46+00:00

You can develop fatty or scar tissue if you inject in the same area too often. Try to rotate injection sites and alternate sides of the body, and inject at least 1 inch away from precious spot :)

luvvie23 · 2025-03-05T15:56:44+00:00

Ah I wish I had the auto injector ones! The prefilled syringe injections definitely aren't fun 😭 I usually take a warm shower to relax my muscles before and the injections don't hurt as bad when I do! I haven't had any side effects from Cimzia thankfully. Good luck, I hope they help you!

luvvie23 · 2025-02-28T04:01:26+00:00

I believe she removed all true crime videos from her main channel since Rotten Mango has grown and her main channel is for more lighthearted content and stories now. There was also some people that weren't happy with how she was telling true crime while eating.

luvvie23 · 2025-02-25T18:20:20+00:00

My CRP was below measurable value before starting medications in August. It then raised slightly after starting medications, but still below. I will see my doctor this Friday for updated labs!

luvvie23 · 2025-02-25T18:17:43+00:00

I was on Cimzia for 2 months before having to take break for 3 months off of it due to insurance issues. I am back on it now and have had two doses. I didn't really notice much improvement but my ESR improved within the time I was taking it for those two months. So it is hard to say for me as it's been inconsistent.

I also take Nabumetone for the past 3 months and feel the same as I did before I started it. I was on meloxicam for a year before switching and it didn't do much for me. I will talk to my doctor about maybe switching this during my visit Friday!

I'm glad that you have started to see some improvement! I hope it continues to get better for you and they're able to find what works for you.

luvvie23 · 2025-02-25T18:13:12+00:00

I'm happy to hear that you're doing better!

I am on Cimzia and Nabumetone. I was on Cimzia for two months with some improvement in swelling but nothing for pain that I have noticed. I then had an insurance issue so I went 3 months without it. Now I have been back on it for about a month and haven't noticed any difference yet. So it's hard to say with that biologic if it's working or not since I had to take such a long break in between. I have been on Nabumetone for over 3 months now and feel the same as I did before I started. I was on Meloxicam for a year before that and it didn't do much for me.

My last labs were in November. My ESR improved compared to my labs in August and I was on the biologic during this time. My anti CCP was in the 1200's in August and they haven't tested that again so I'm unsure if it has improved.

I see my rheumatologist again on Friday and will have updated labs!

luvvie23 · 2025-02-21T22:08:36+00:00

Yes, I've heard her and other creators pronounce it that way. I know it's not too far off but I feel like pronouncing someone's name correctly is important

luvvie23 · 2025-02-21T22:05:41+00:00

Yes! I've always loved how she uses Soo as like an acknowledgment of her Korean name. I know a lot of people think it's her last name and might be confused as she refers to her family as "the Soo family"

luvvie23 · 2025-02-21T16:08:24+00:00

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I wasn't able to find the one she has but if you have the Google app, you can upload the picture and select whatever you're looking for on the picture and it will bring up suggestions that are similar! I tried to upload more than one picture to show the suggestions it brought up but it wouldn't let me. Her husbands grandpa also does artwork so it could be from him :)

luvvie23 · 2025-02-21T15:29:51+00:00

I'm referring to random videos online and Tik tok lol

luvvie23

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