*It catches you out, not an obvious guest.
*As much as you try it's harder to rest,
*from the pain, the swelling, the insomnia, the heat,
*attacking the joints from your head to your feet.
*The pain. Its like slamming a door on a limb or a joint.
*Constant, incessant, deforming – what's the point....
*in living? What is the future? Unable to function
*and feeling like you have no compunction.
*Depression hits.
*Time to act and time to fix.
*Hot mouth, fuzzy head, feeling you can't get out of bed.
*Sore, itchy skin.
*Feeling organs inflamed within.
*This disease is not as people think,
*it's systemic, its serious, it's truly heart sink.
*You have tried turmeric, herbs and oils,
*yoga, physio, hours of toils.
*Meditation, exclusion and fasting
*yet nothing for relief, just pain that's lasting.
*All day, all night – the feeling of defeat.
*Splints and pillows, ice and heat.
*Then you meet a clinician who gives you a goal.
*You get started on treatment to begin feeling whole.
*You lost time yet it takes time to find the Holy Grail.
*Yet even then during flare or infection that Grail will fail.
*A boost with a steroid, temporary relief.
*Anything to damp down this soul robbing thief.
*Fear looms dark, threatens to get in the way.
* Keep going, take the drugs, feel the fear and do it - anyway.
*Medicines for RA are hard core so demand some respect.
*We are hopeful one or two will have full effect.
*The monitoring occurs to keep an eye.
*Sometimes you're fine, when you're not you just sigh.
*Its a ballet, of benefit V risk on the edge of a knife,
*yet a dance you perform to escape this tired life.
*Success! Great news! You hit a winner so inject on time.
*No matter the side effects, can we turn back time?
*Time now to practice the hobbies you love,
*though you may find new ones more hand in glove
*with this passenger called Rheumatoid Arthritis.
*When feeling better, you read up on DAS and guidelines.
*Stops you from feeling on the sidelines.
*Becoming an expert in your own disease,
*whilst tolerating folks who often will tease.
*This is your life, your body, your future, your health
*You understand that remission equals true wealth.
*So you study, you analyse, you seek a solution
*For your work, your home, your family resolution.
*Because it impacts on everything and everyone you love,
*For a time it seems almost a test sent from above.
*The reality is, you need control of this thing.
*To feel alive is the motivation you bring.
*It starts with a passion to drive this trip well,
*with you behind the wheel, the disease tied and fell.
* Now it's in the boot of the wagon with you up front,
*throw everything at it, get used to being blunt.
*Go for it, shout about your condition,
*go challenge and assert to get to remission.
*Understand what that means and how to get there,
*make sure you help others so pass on and share.
*When you feel well enjoy the family and you,
*spend time with friends who have supported you through.
*Through bad times that felt bleak when the dark days pervade,
*and repel those who threaten your peace and invade.
*The ones who judge you for not drinking or laugh to your face,
*just smile, move on they've not evolved to change at your pace.
*We are warriors, we are determined we are so brave.
*We refuse to let this disease attempt to enslave.
*Turn away from suffering, or pain, any self doubt.
*It is time to raise awareness – to really come out.
*The learns you possess shows the person you've become.
*Make it one you are proud of – you are all of the parts, not just some.
by AmblingA August 2020
I'm finding it hard to get my head round this...
How do you live/cope with RA? 
Finally, I've been diagnosed!! I DO have inflammatory arthritis.
read this re fear and covid The Guardian
Steroid injections or treatment assessment?
