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Nancy’s Story—From Severe RA to Pain-Free
My first experiences with RA was in my left shoulder in January of 2020. The inflammation came out of the blue and hit the shoulder causing me to be unable to use my whole arm. This would happen every few months for a year before being diagnosed. NOTHING would touch the pain. It was the worst PAIN. In January of 2021, I had my first blood test. By this point the inflammation had taken my left shoulder, left hand, right knee and my feet and starting on my right hand. In February of 2021, I was given the news as if I was given a death sentence. I was certain that at the rate RA was taking over my body that I was going to be died by the end of the year. In that moment, I chose to NOT take any meds for pain and RA until I had time to read the paperwork on the drugs. Upon reading the paperwork for the first time in my life – I chose to go without.
Eric’s Story—Conquering RA at 60, Thriving at 81
RA diagnosed in 2003 and cured with low dose long term doxycycline in 2004, was followed by Polymyalgia Rheumatica -Temporal Arteritis later, maybe 2008? which was diagnosed with a temporal biopsy, halted and cured with prednisone tapered off as blood work indicated.
Doreen’s Story—From Swollen Hands to a Full Life Again
My first sign was an index finger that was painful and swollen. Before I knew it it was both hands. An encounter with someone shaking my hand which felt like they were intentionally trying to hurt me made me realize something is wrong. The diagnosis was RA. My great grandmother was diagnosed with RA when she was in her 30’s so it made sense for the doctor to label me with this autoimmune.
Kathryne’s Story—Defying the Prognosis Through AP
I always had a more fragile body when it came to aches and pains, but then one day, my whole life was turned upside down. The pain was…what I call, the human torture chamber.
Donna’s Story—Defying a Scleroderma “Death Sentence”
My name is Donna Celeiro, I am 71, and live in Saugerties, New York (USA). I have had systemic scleroderma for 50+ years; it took me an unbelievable 27 years of searching and trying countless doctors/hospitals/tests/medications and listening to numerous thoughtless/sarcastic/insulting remarks about seeing a shrink, I am doing much better than the “death sentence” I was originally given in 1997 by my first rheumatologist.
Janet’s Story—Peeling Back the Layers of Chronic Illness
In 2002, the good health I had experienced all my life was about to change. I noticed a bump on my chest after attending a country wedding — it was like some kind of an insect bite. It began to change its form and started to resemble a ringworm infection. I also began to have a chronic tickle in my throat and felt lethargic. A topical treatment did not resolve the lesion plus it started to change forms and began to look like a couple of large papules. The skin specialist thought it looked like a spider bite, but when the biopsy came back, suggested Scleromyxedema. I had the lumps removed and further investigation suggested that it was not scleromyxedema but still no definite answer.
Debbie’s Story—From Elevated Markers to Normal Labs
Today I heard the words that everyone who is diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis lives to hear – “Your blood levels are NORMAL”.
Catharine’s Story—Minocycline, Diet, and a Return to Health
The availability of the internet and the finding of the Road Back website saved me. After a year of low white blood cells/bit unwell, I suddenly got swollen joints in Jan 2014 with a slightly raised RF. Doctors said early RA (or possibly PA as i had very mild skin psorasis). Doctors wanted me to start on placquenil with methotrexate next as things progressed.
I set about reading everything I could about RA. My searches led to this website, and it seemed extraordinary that there was hope.
Brenda’s Story—From Long Struggle to Renewed Relief
I was diagnosed with RA in 1997, several months after my second child was born. Tried quite a few different treatments over the years but could not find consistent relief!
I set about reading everything I could about RA. My searches led to this website, and it seemed extraordinary that there was hope.
RJR1066’s Story—A Negative ANA and a 50-Mile Hike
In July of 2012 I woke up with numbness extending from my elbows to hands that quickly became painful. I normally ran 4 miles a day and within 2 months I was unable to even speed walks without pain and a racing heart. My blood pressure which had been completely normal all my life, skyrocketed to 195/105 and my fingers became so swollen I couldn’t clap or shake hands without wincing. After many months of tests and questions, my doctor referred me to a rheumatologist who immediately diagnosed me with limited systemic scleroderma in January of 2013. I got a second opinion which confirmed it. She strongly suspected diffuse due to how quickly I had accumulated symptoms and their level of severity. By this time, I had tendon friction, brain fog, severe raynauds, severe pain in all my joints, tightening skin across my face, little sleep due to pain, some swallowing issues…..even my teeth were beginning to feel loose. It was just incredible considering I was completely healthy at my physical in June of 2012.