Living with Inflammatory Arthritis and balancing life on a daily basis
Oshawa, Toronto Ontario Canada and surrounding areas L1G3S1 Oshawa, ON, Canada

Here it goes guys, it’s been a few days since an update. I was told I have myofascial pain in my back ( trigger points from the muscles) This burning pain which sometimes feels like pepper in an open wound is unbearable at times. I got this diagnosis this pass week. I’m sick and tired of complaining of feeling sick. I feel I’m sick of it all, flu like symptoms today, the fatigue, the back pain, I’m still youngish so to speak. The saddness from not improving, I’m frustrated i...t’s a damn awful illness/s. Damn you RA, Fibro and all the others. I know it could alway be worse but I’m still tired of it all. My strong will and desire to keep going and to see my daughter pass the worse stages in her life. See more

Chronic pain can truly destroy ones self esteem, moral and drives to do things In life, I. Want to Say that it doesn’t matter how dark your day may seem or how much you may hurt, please try to Pick your self up and have an (out person, So to speak person) this person will provides support on the dark days when things seem dim emotionally. I am so thankful that the Lord sent these earthly angels in a form of kindhearted. Humans that are there for me in times of Needs. Pain, ...anxiety, Depression, death are so scary and sad. It’s very difficult after a love one passing to b just get back up? Brush yourself off and get on with life, I. E work. Etc. I was never the one for therapy, group session or anything along those lines for myself personally. I would sit in on for My patients, and ot my daughter. I give more than 150% to others but don’t take much time for myself and as a result I’m Fading slowing. This illness that I was diagnosed with can be draining on the body and if I don’t eat properly, rest and take my vitamins. I could end up with dangers flares, as for the pain wasn’t enough, which Is part of the flaring. Having an autoimmune disability is not a easy thing to handle. And now this:( See more

Here it goes guys, it’s been a few days since an update. I was told I have myofascial pain in my back ( trigger points from the muscles) This burning pain which sometimes feels like pepper in an open wound is unbearable at times. I got this diagnosis this pass week. I’m sick and tired of complaining of feeling sick. I feel I’m sick of it all, flu like symptoms today, the fatigue, the back pain, I’m still youngish so to speak. The saddness from not improving, I’m frustrated i...t’s a damn awful illness/s. Damn you RA, Fibro and all the others. I know it could alway be worse but I’m still tired of it all. My strong will and desire to keep going and to see my daughter pass the worse stages in her life. See more

Well it’s been a few days since I wrote anything. It feels like with all the time off from work, I’m now busier than I can handle. Between closing up the affairs of my late husband’s affairs, my doctors appts som e of which lately I have totally forgotten that I need to attend, and never in life that my memory has gone this bad. Isabella has her own appts that I’ve to arrange as well. Since Covid, one has to become very technically incline, whether or not one like it or no...t. The sad thing is that not all clinicians use the same version of virtual background so as soon as I learned how to navigate one, soon after I need to learn another format. My stress level remains high and I’ve come to realized that some how until I get some help with my heavy load that I’m carrying, my burdens will continue to be heavy. This is a key factor in the healing process when a person is suffering with a autoimmune disease along with other issues I.e. anxiety, panic attacks and depression. Despite the healthcare team,I need to learn how reduce and evenful eliminate the stress totally out my life. I want to thank you my followers and supported for taking the time out to read, liking and share my post/page and group. Stay strong and safe during this horrific time that we are living in. #movingforward #rawarriormomma #fibrowarrior #singlemomma ##Godisgood See more

SEE OUR GROUP COPING WITH INFLAMMATORY ARTHRITIS AND LIFE STRESSORS ( THE AUTOIMMUNE ARTHRITIS WARRIORS) AAW. We are a fun group which interacts daily on many different topics. The vast majority of us share similar diagnoses etc. Pls like and share my page and our group, thanks so much.

https://arthritis.ca//young-adults-with-arthritis-and-ment

So I had one of the worse nights last night, which resulted into poor sleep and the list goes on. Here is what happened. I’ve been experiencing lowering back pain for the past two weeks and this is just the same flare up pain that I’ve had for years now and but it’s very debilitating..What caused some concerns was that out of no where, I started having pain in between my scapulas area, upper back and it was quite severe at times. I was also feeling some pain under my left br...east and some issues when I take a breathe, now knowing what I know, I started my assessments and I didn’t have any other symptoms or pain anywhere else. I was in bed at the time laying on my back with my head elevated. I had pillows under my head. It was very hard to moved without pain, now, prior to me going to bed, I did have this but, very mild symptoms, so I removed my bra and that didn’t helped. I wasn’t nauseous either. My anxiety level at this point was very high and tears filled my eyes. I contemplated calling emergency services and then I said no I would just call crisis because I believe I was just having a panic attack. As the tears continues to flow all the way down my face and my glasses were filled with my own tears, I was unable to see. I messaged my brother and he said called 911. I then i called a friend and no answer so, I decided to send my therapist an email about my panic moment, writing out my feelings is almost like talking about it so it did helped. The pain at that point started to subsided but, I was still engulfed for the lack of a better word in arthritic pain and the sense as if I was choking, couldn’t catch my breathe . Panic attacks is a terrible thing and they have been surfacing ever since the loss of my late husband only 2 months ago. This situation is very hard because my late husband passed from cardiac events. Back to my gf which I tried calling, Several minutes had passed and my gf called me back and she talked me through the process. Several hours later the pain under my left breast was still there but, I wasn’t panicking about things as much. At day break, after dropping my sweet girl off at school I decided to have my situation checked at the urgent care clinic. I had some tests done and the pain was still there. I will continue to monitor my situation and if it gets worse I will go to the emergency room next, COVID -19 scared the heck out of me. Living the life of a chronically ill person is no joke, I wouldn’t wish this on my worse enemy. On top of all this going on, I’m a momma, and I’m expected to be alert and ready to go at the sound of mom 50 times in min. Continue to moving forward. See more

SEE OUR GROUP COPING WITH INFLAMMATORY ARTHRITIS AND LIFE STRESSORS ( THE AUTOIMMUNE ARTHRITIS WARRIORS) AAW. We are a fun group which interacts daily on many different topics. The vast majority of us share similar diagnoses etc. Pls like and share my page and our group, thanks so much.

Hey everyone, it’s been a while since a share anything here. Well! Where should I begin, the pain have resurfaced more so than it has in the last little while. I knew it would increased with the amount of stress that I’ve been under lately. Grieving the loss of my husband, trying to be the best mother to my already special needs child, taking care of things, all the paper work is overwhelming and on top of all taking care of my well-being. I tell you with all this shock that ...we experienced in July, the loss has brought on quite a few new issues to my already shopping list of health problems. Some ppl may think that because we were separated that I wouldn’t hurt the same, but quite honestly I hurt just the same like the day I said our wedding vows. Instead now it’s pain and loss and not love and happiness. There was always love for him. This loss has brought on some new issues like I was saying, I’m now receiving counselling for myself and my daughter. Let me tell you all that panic attacks and anxiety attacks are real. I’ve already had a soft spot for ppl who are suffering from any type of mental illness but now I empathize with them. Never Judge a book by its cover. Or until you’ve walked into another persons shoes please don’t try and fit into it. So after sharing all this, I think it’s time for some self care for Annielia. I will be hiring a personal trainer to guide along so I can reach my ideal weight loss. Next it will be a nutritionist to help me with the right meal plans. I don’t think I choose poor choices but, adding all the arthritis meds and the daily pain in my joints esp my feet...etc, my weight has spiral out of control. I think once I have those two areas under control I will start to feel so much better. I know I can’t afford to add another disease to the already long list that I already have. I’m hoping for good healthy ending. Thanks for listening my arthritis warrior friends See more

Since its Arthritis Awareness Month, let’s talk about what arthritis actually is. It's a term used to describe over 100 diseases characterized by inflammation in the joints or in other areas of the body. Learn more about different types of arthritis here: https://bit.ly/32h1Dhu

Good one I think.

How does one move on from a tragic loss? To me a loss could be the passing of a dear loved one or simply just mourning the loss of ones former self. Meaning, in my situation the person I use to be prior to having inflammatory arthritis, obesity, fibro, headaches plantar fasciitis and the shopping list continues. It could take awhile to morn the loss of a loved esp when their death was unexpected:(. I heard somewhere that time heals all wounds so I will wait on time. As for ...my own individual loss, it took a long time and I’m still going through the stages of grief. Half and half good and bad days due to pain, fatigue and thinking far away, hoping for a breaking through for all us autoimmune immune/chronic/Fatigue syndrome suffers. May God see us all through. Thank you all. Until then, I will continue to ride the course. Annielia Anderson-Strang See more

I’m not sure if any of you stop and think real hard about death and dying. Yes it’s a real process of life. I’ve been recently hit with my husbands passing. This caused me to think about my own life, what sort of preparation do I have in placed. I would want to think that I am really organized and I have things together etc. I’ve started some sort of preparation since age 28 now 40 to but, now since I have a daughter and now being her only parent m, I do need to make some ot...her preparations that I’ve been putting off thinking that oh! I will do it next month or next year. But, folks the truth is time waits for none of us and tomorrow is not promised. I’ve now learned that being that procrastinator doesn’t help in the sudden passing of my precious life if I fail to prepare. So if you are reading this, Not because May struggle with a chronic illness a shopping list more, this doesn’t really qualify us of dying sooner if we take good care of our bodies, self care, less stress, ask for when needed, talk to trusted friend if feel that you have burden you family member lol. In my case but I will never burdened mines, they still listens to me, over and over about the same thing, whether I’m crying from being too overwhelmed with things or just everyday stressors. I believe when ones number is numbers is not drawn so to speak it’s there time to say good bye here on here..- my opinion as I strongly believe when it’s time that’s just it doesn’t matter how tragic or sudden:( . Arthritis esp inflammatory arthritis is a prerequisite for our health to decline yes. So my plan is to start today by taking control over my life, take charge over every aspect. Not just words but this time I meant it all. Good health is like precious gold, you can’t sell it but it will allow you to go far in life e.g. live longer, do more things with family, friends etc and just simply enjoy life. In my case, my daughter. The above topic may sound grim and scary but the truth is at some point, we all of Will have to deal with somehow so why not today. Think about it.

So! I’ve been off work for a while since my surgery. Some people don’t understand the reasoning and they may think , I’m on vacation I’m well rested but, nobody understand. The pain and suffering that one go through especially raising a special needs child on your own. When you’re struggling with health issues yourself people tend to judge because they don’t understand often time even with education they still tend to judge you because they don’t understand if it could ...Continue reading

https://arthritis.ca//navigating-throu/self-advocacy-guide

It's World Autoimmune/Autoinflammatory Arthritis Awareness Day! For #AiArthritisDay, we're excited to share the twenty-third episode of #ArthritisAtHome, featur...ing Michelle Bridge, an Occupational Therapist who works as an Advanced Clinician Practitioner in Arthritis Care (ACPAC) within Arthritis Society's Arthritis Rehabilitation and Education Program, covering Windsor-Essex county in Ontario. In this interview, Michelle provides tips and tricks for maximizing your telehealth appointment with an occupational therapist. She also provides helpful information on how to set up a joint-friendly workspace at home. #WellnessWednesday Michelle is a member, in good standing, of the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario; the Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists; the Arthritis Health Professions Association and is a constituent of its ACPAC Special Interest Group committee; and internationally, she is also a member of the Association of Rheumatology Professionals. Her professional objectives focus on delivering best-practice rheumatological healthcare; improving access to care for pediatric and adult patients with arthritis; and strengthening healthcare capacity while enhancing inter-professional care with the ultimate goal of improving patient outcomes. She has been with Arthritis Society for nearly 6 years, coming from an occupational therapy background in chronic pain management, homecare, and return-to-work, and 8 years experience working in kinesiology. Visit Arthritis At Home online: https://arthritisathome.jointhealth.org Check out these helpful resources for patients Arthritis Consumer Experts: What you need to know about arthritis in the workplace: https://jointhealth.org/programs-bestarthritisworkplaces.cf Arthritis Society: Arthritis & Work: https://arthritis.ca/sup/online-learning/arthritis-and-work Arthritis Society: Stretches for the Workplace (Video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVFuoAtw3p0 Arthritis Society: Navigating your healthcare: https://arthritis.ca//online-le/navigating-your-healthcare Check out these helpful resources for occupational therapists The Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists: COVID-19 Practice Supports: https://www.caot.ca/site/pt/COVID-19?nav=sidebar#Forum College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario: Guidelines for Telepractice in Occupational Therapy: https://www.coto.org//guidelines-for-telepractice-in-occup