Welcome to The Rheuma Mill!
Hello out there and welcome to my Rheumatoid Arthritis blog!
The Rheuma Mill is designed for all those of the rheumatoid arthritis community. That includes anyone who has a rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis or are connected to rheumatoid arthritis through someone you know and/or care about. This forum is a place where all of us can meet, compare, vent or offer advice. It’s been a place where people have come to discuss symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis medication and treatments that have worked and just how to cope with rheumatoid arthritis in daily life. You can join our discussions in The Rheuma Room here.
Gosh, if you had told me 2 years ago that I would be starting my own blog, I would’ve thought ‘ppffttt, got no time for THAT!’. If you had told me I would write a blog on rheumatoid arthritis, I would KNOW that you need to go to Spec Savers cos you talkin’ to the wrong person. But here I am, starting my first blog… not about food, not about travel, not about fitness but about Rheumatoid Arthritis. Who would’ve thought? When they say ‘you never know where life leads you’ well, no kidding because I would never have thought that I would be here writing a blog about arthritis. About MY personal experience with rheumatoid arthritis.
What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
It’s my worst nightmare is what it is! It’s something I thought only affected old people. Like old, old. Like 1 foot in the grave, you don’t use your joints much at that age, old. Not 38 years old, old. It’s an affliction that changes your life as you know it. It makes you not recognise your own body, your own strong, healthy active body. Clinically, it’s an autoimmune disease that affects your joints. The joints it affects differs from person to person but in my case, it’s ALL my joints. Luck me right?!
Why blog about it?
Because I needed (still need) a way to process the grief. Grief? What died? My life felt like it had died, my body felt like it had died, my happiness, my confidence, my sleep… everything in me felt like it died. At 38, it’s not a common thing amongst my peers, my colleagues or even my family. I had no-one to talk to about it who could understand what I was going through and what I was going through honestly felt like hell. This is my way to talk about it, hopefully with others, about what it’s like to live with this disease.
Have you seen those zombie movies where just about the whole world population has been eradicated by a virus or plague? Think Will Smith – I am legend. In those movies there is usually a survivor on a radio trying to make contact with other survivors. ‘Hello, is anyone out there? I too am a survivor. I have food, shelter, medication and weapons. If you’re out there, please respond. You are not alone. Together we can find the cure.’
Well, this is my attempt at being Will Smith minus the food, shelter, medication and weapons. But what I do have are a very particular set of skills. Skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a friend for people like you. If you don’t need help now that’ll be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you, but if you do, I will look for you, I will find you and I will HELP YOU. Gosh… sounds like something out of a Liam Neeson movie…..
What you can do!
Go through all the information on The Rheuma Mill here. Have a specific question or request? You can join our Facebook support group or contact me!
Hi I’m just trying to figure out whether I should be tested or go to a rheumatologist, I started looking into why my eyes are so blood shot and hurting all the time, regular eye dr. Can’t figure it out. then as I read on, I have a lot of symptoms, swollen 1rst knuckles in my hands, pain in both feet, nodules in my arches, pain in my big toe joints, numbness in toes and fingers, Carple tunnel in both hands, and fatigue and the list goes on any comments or thoughts would be appreciated, thank you
Hi Lauri! From what you’re describing, I definitely think it’s worth going to see a rheumatologist. Symptoms of RA can get very bad very quickly and it’s important to start treatment early to control the inflammation, if that is the cause of your ailments. You definitely do not want to let it get out of hand. If it is rheumatoid arthritis and it’s not being treated, it can lead to permanent joint damage. I am actually just finishing an article about how to get the best out of your first appointment with a rheumatologist which I will publish in the next few days. You may want to come back to read up on that or subscribe so you can be notified. Keep in touch and let me know how you go, I’ll help any way that I can. Can you also let me know how you found The Rheuma Mill?
Thanks for recommending the best cbd oil for pain
What a great blog! Thank you so much for shining a light on RA. I really like your sense of humor and have ordered Omegawalk shoes based on your recommendation. I can’t wait for them to arrive! I need some motivation to start walking and exercising again.
Hi Viviane! Thank you so much for your kind words and contribution to The Rheuma Mill. Let me know how you go with the shoes! I am absolutely in love with my Omegawalk shoes! If you love them as much as I do, please leave a review on the page. http://www.therheumamill.com/shoes-for-rheumatoid-arthritis. I don’t know if you have seen my free stretch & exercise program? Check it out! http://www.therheumamill.com/stretch-exercise-program
What a great blog! As someone who has had RA for many years, it’s great to have a centralized platform to find relevant information pertaining to our disease. Thank you for your time and efforts.
Hi Brandon! Welcome to The Rheuma Mill and a big thank you for your contribution. It means so much to have your support.
Hi Maly,
Just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your blog and the time you take to help me on my journey. You’ve made it so much easier and less stressful. Your resources page was a Godsend when I needed it most. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.
Great blog! Thanks for shining a light on our disease. It’s great to see someone taking time to help others in our shoes. Looking forward to learning more.
Hi Manat! Thank you so much for your contribution and kind comments. It’s my absolute pleasure! I’d love to hear more about your journey. Please share it in The Rheuma Room or email me. Best wishes.
Hi Marilyn! Thank you so much for your kind words. It means so much to me. It validates what I’m doing and pushes me to keep going. Always here for you or anyone who needs it.
Lots of great resources here for RA. Thank you and keep it up warrior! I’m going to be a regular of your resources page.
Hеllо! Great blog. Nice to have something not so girly. RA affects us men too. Subscribed and got my handy guide. Thanks
Just purchased your book and thought I’d check out your blog. Really enjoying the book. It’s a great little resource especially for beginners looking to add natural remedies to their lifestyle.
Thank you for shining a light on rheumatoid arthritis! Great blog. Subscribed.
Hi Joyce! Thank you for your comment and compliment. Welcome!
Hi Rachel! Thank you for your purchase and feedback!
Hi Mike! Thanks for your comment and feedback. I try to make The Rheuma Mill as inclusive as possible!
Hi Kevin! Thanks for your comments and feedback. My resources page is very popular indeed. http://www.therheumamill.com/rheumatoid-arthritis-resources
Thank you for shining a light on my disease. I found your article about explaining rheumatoid arthritis to loved ones really helpful. I purchased your compression gloves. So much cheaper than every where else. Hopefully it will give my hands some relief.
What a great blog for RA! Thank you for all the resources. Really thankful that I’ve stumbled across this. All the information I’ve gathered so far has been incredibly helpful. Thanks!
Hi Paula! Thank you for your comments and feedback. I’m so happy that you have found the information and resources helpful. I hope you’ve subscribed to the free subscription!
Hi Amanda! Thank you for your comments and feedback. It’s so humbling to know that my experiences are helping others. Please leave a review for the gloves once you get them! Everything from the The Rheuma Mall is cheaper than anywhere else, I get them straight from the supplier/manufacturer and I pass the savings on to all my readers. Thank you for supporting the initiative!
Thank you for your dedication in raising awareness to RA. This is a great resource for us!
Hi Dina! Thank you so much for your kind words and feedback. It is greatly appreciated x
I’m so glad I found this page. Wish I had found it before buying compression gloves and therapy putty though, your site sells them for half the price. Will be doing your hand exercises. Thanks!
Hi Teresa! Thanks for your feedback and comments. I get my products straight from the supplier so they are a lot cheaper. Spread the word! Would also appreciate feedback on the exercises. Thanks!
Thank you for this blog. As an RA sufferer of over 25 years, I wish I had something like this when I was diagnosed. Keep up the good work.
Hi Jenny! Thank you so much for your kind words and feedback. It is much appreciated. I am always looking for guest writers for The Rheuma Mill. Please contact me if interested.
I love your sense of humor and have enjoyed reading all your article. Thank you for making it easier for me to live with rheumatoid arthritis. I highly recommend the pink compression gloves that I bought from your store!
Hi Charlie! Thank you so much for your compliment and feedback. I’m so glad you have found support on The Rheuma Mill. The pink compression gloves are so incredible popular. I think it’s color helps ease the pain a bit too.
Great blog! I don’t have RA but a host of other autoimmune conditions but similar enough. Your recommendations are still very valid for me and I appreciate all the links. Thank you!
Great blog. I like that it offers more than the usual positivity dribble which. Sound advice mixed and humor. I enjoy the movie quotes, keep them coming!
Hi James! Thanks so much for your feedback, it is much appreciated. I’m glad someone gets my humour and enjoys the movie quotes as much as I do!
Hi Christine! Welcome to The Rheuma Mill and thank you for your comment. It’s great to know that The Rheuma Mill helps others will chronic illness too not just those with rheumatoid arthritis. Thank you!
Awesome blog, great and relevant content and comes from a good place. Thank you for your honesty and passion. It’s great that you have pink compression gloves but how about something other than black/grey for us boys?
Hi Jason! Thank you so much for your comment and feedback. I appreciate it very much. About the compression gloves, I believe that only real men wear pink. 😉
Love your blog! I’m newly diagnosed and your blog was just what I needed. Still lots to learn and you have covered a lot of stuff. I’ve bookmarked to read more later. Thank you!
Found your blog when looking for shoes for my RA. I just received my Omegawalk shoes and LOVE them. Thanks for the recommendation.
Hi Fiona! Thank you for your comment and feedback. I’m glad you love the Omegawalk shoes as much as I do!
Hi Heather! Thank you for your contribution to The Rheuma Mill. Feel free to contact me if you want me to cover anything specific. Otherwise, you can join our Facebook support group. We’d love to have you!
Came upon your blog through Pinterest and purchased your CBD oil. I can now sleep better and can go pain free most days. Thanks so much for recommending. I’m so excited about the $5 promo I just saw!
Hi Monique! Thanks so much for your feedback and comment! I’m so glad CBD oil has bought you some relief. I hope many take advantage of the $5 promo. Where else would you get good quality organic CBD oil for $5?! I’m not sure how long the promo will run for so my suggestion is to get in quick!
Just wanted to give feedback on the CBD oil that I bought from you. The pain in my knees has reduced since using them, took about 3 days. Back to buy more while they’re $5. Thank you my dear.
Fantastic blog. Have subscribed so I can learn more about my condition. Thank you!
Hi Winter! What a beautiful name! Thank you for your feedback and subscribing! Also join our Facebook support group, we’d love to have you.
Hi James! Thank you so much for leaving feedback that I’m sure will help many of my readers. I’m glad they’re giving you relief! Bless you x
Love the videos. Such a good way to spread awareness. How can I share them?
Hi China! Thanks so much for your feedback. The best way to share the videos is through our Facebook page.
I love your sense of humor and optimism despite living with RA. I was diagnosed last year and your positivity has given me hope Thanks
What a great source of information for those living with RA. I’m newly diagnosed so this is really helpful for me. Thanks
I stumbled upon your blog through Facebook. Thanks for compiling all this information for us who live with this crappy disease. It’s nice to have a patient perspective and resources compiled by those actually living with rheumatoid arthritis.
Hi Beshie! Thank you for your comment and feedback. I’m sorry to hear of your recent diagnosis. Be sure to subscribe so you can be notified of all my new articles.
Hi Daniel! Thanks so much for your comment and feedback. It is greatly appreciated and means so much coming from fellow spoonies.
Hi Julee! Thanks so much for your feedback and kind words. It motivates me to keep going with this blog. Thanks!
Have spent the last 2 hours going through all your articles. I am newly diagnosed and it is so good to have a place like this to go to. Thanks for all the great advice. You’ve given me hope. I felt so lost before I found this blog.
Thanks for the honest account of your experience and finding a positive and helpful way to deal with it. I’ve been feeling really down since my diagnosis and hearing of your optimism and positivity has inspired me lighten up a little. Enjoyed all the movie quotes you’ve somehow managed to include in your articles.
Hi Naydia! Thanks so much for your feedback. I’m sorry about your current circumstances but so happy that The Rheuma Mill has given you a bit of hope. Not all is lost and you will be okay! Happy to chat to you further either via email or through the support group if you need.
Hi Damon! Thanks so much for your feedback. It means a lot knowing that my work is helping others to cope.
Just wanted to pop on and give feedback for the knee brace I purchased. Very impressed with the product given that I only paid $7! Thanks
Newly diagnosed here. Lots of helpful information here. thanks
This is fantastic! Subscribed. Diagnosed RA 3 years ago
Super interesting. My mom was just diagnosed so I’m just reading up on it. Great resource!
Fantastic blog. Your words are so powerful and inspiring. You’ve given all those living with rheumatoid arthritis hope
What a great service you are providing to your fellow RA warriors. Love how candid and funny you are!
Awesome site. Thanks so much for putting together all that information and resources. I certainly feel less alone in my battle. Rheumatoid arthritis is horrible but you’ve made it a little more tolerable. Thank you