Back in August I mentioned that Tanya had started using a new drug to combat the pain from her Rheumatoid Autoimmune Disease (aka RAD or RA) she has been living with since 2003. She had been using Enbrel for quite some time, but it did not seem to be doing any good, so Cimzia was suggested. These kinds of drugs usually take a while to get into her system before they start working, and she was in a terrible amount of pain, so her new Rheumatologist started her on various sleeping pills and anti-anxiety pills; but nothing seemed to help. The last time we visited Dr. Ishimori, we talked about this and it was decided that Tanya should start taking an anti-inflammatory, Mobic; the change has been amazing.
Within a couple weeks of adding Mobic to her drug cocktail Tanya noticed something pretty amazing. She was no longer in pain. Considering she could not walk around the block without experiencing some pain, this was pretty remarkable. As time went on she realized that she could carry her camera, with an external flash; she could walk up and down hills and she could lift items over her head without paying for it later. In fact, when rain was in the forecast she did not feel it in her joints. It has been 10 years since that has happened.
Naturally, Tanya is taking advantage of this pain-free existence; this means being able to finally unpack after more than a year of living here, and we go out for walks with our cameras. These photos are from our visit yesterday to the South Coast Botanic Garden in Palos Verdes Estates. We walked the mile circumference of the garden with all its hills, and she felt no pain. That is quite the accomplishment.
The watermark on these photos was donated to the Rheumatoid Patient Foundation, the only charity for those suffering from Rheumatoid Autoimmune Disease, otherwise known as Rheumatoid Arthritis.
