RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis) Sucks

I'm Gumby, Dammit!

There's an old adage that says, "We make plans; God laughs."

In my new RA life, however, I'd change that adage to "I make plans; RA laughs."

One of the most frustrating things about having RA is that I've been forced to become ultra-flexible (and I don't mean joints-wise). I used to be able to make plans weeks (or at least days) in advance -- and subsequently keep those plans. Nowadays, however, since I'm no longer sure what I'll feel like on any given day (okay, achy, tired, etc.), I may be forced to change plans at a moment's notice.

For example, during the holidays, I occasionally was unable to accompany our guests to planned and spontaneous museum or store outings (activities of which I wanted to partake) because I was just so fatigued. The only thing I could do was nap. I can't tell you how disappointing this was.

I never was a terribly rigid person (obstreperous, yes. Rigid, no.). But RA is causing me to be bendy and twisty all over my life. And I hate it.

Of course, when I was a kid (lo, these many years ago), I used to think that hyperflexibility was ultracool. Remember how we used to stare in admiration and amazement at kids who were double-jointed or who could bend their middle fingers back all the way to their wrists?

The deep irony in all of this is that even as RA has forced me to become flexible in my life's activities and plans, it is making my joints become more and more rigid.

This disease is a bitch.

I just can't wait until the day that RA makes plans, and I'm able laugh.

Pants Size = Extra Large

Well, I know it's after the holidays (which were LOTS of fun!). So I suppose that some weight gain was to be expected. But holy crap, dudes, I've gained close to 50 pounds since last January, when I first started Cymbalta, Lyrica, and Enbrel.

Yes, you read that right: Fifty freaking pounds!

My weight has yo-yo'ed by approximately 10 - 15 pounds throughout my life, depending upon time and circumstances. But previously,I could shed those pounds fairly easily by eating less and exercising more.

But this time, the weight won't come off. It's sheer torture, especially for a woman who absolutely hates shopping (except for shoes; I have an addiction to shoes.).

I'm keeping my caloric intake at 1000 - 1200 calories and doing aerobic exercise 40 - 50 minutes a day. 

The only thing to which I can attribute my bloomage is the drugs.

My Neuro Dude says that most people only gain a few pounds from Lyrica and Cymbalta (which I take for my peripheral neuropathy; the Enbrel I take for RA. But you already knew that.). He, of course, thinks that I'm underestimating my caloric intake. (I'm not. I can read the nutritional info on my Lean Cuisines just fine, thank you.)

It's just so damned frustrating. Am I going to have to choose between being in pain and being normal weight? Have y'all experienced anything like this?