This is the one time of the year I give rheumatoid arthritis (RA) the spotlight as it is Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Day. I’ll reblog my post from last year for more information on the disease and how retirement and living the full-time RV lifestyle has affected the symptoms and severity of the disease.
Each patient has different symptoms and responses to treatment. RA is an autoimmune disorder that is unpredictable and, oftentimes, difficult to manage. The change in lifestyle for me has affected my disease symptoms in a positive manner. While I’m still on extensive medications to control the flares and disease activity, the lowered amount of stress and daily physical damage on my joints and hands definitely works in my favor. Performing daily living activities in a smaller living environment and a general sense of well-being among nature makes living with the disease more tolerable, at least for me.
I am happy to network with other RVers (and non-RV patients) who suffer with similar autoimmune disorders and answer any questions from my perspective. Together, we can live around the disease and refuse to give it power over our lives.
Here is the reblog from last year:
Rheumatoid Awareness Day and Full-Time RV Life
February 2 is Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Day. Rheumatoid disease affects nearly 1.3 million adults and 294,000 children in America. There is no cure. Most people think it is the “creaky joint” type of arthritis, but that’s not true. Please read more information from a previous blog regarding my experience with this disease by clicking here.
How does having this unpredictable disease mesh with full-time RVing? We are only in our first month, so it’s better to answer that question next year on the same date. There is no debate that since early retirement and living and traveling in the RV full time, symptoms have improved and flares have decreased in frequency and severity. Eliminating the stress on my hands, wrists, and psyche has done wonders, as it would for any rheumatoid patient. Adequate sleep, increased exercise, and fresh air make a world of difference in pain levels and attitude. This modified remission is something I do not take for granted. My body can attack at any given time, and sometimes it shows no mercy. My goal is to make the most of the good days, self-care in the bad days, and live life to the absolute fullest at every opportunity.
For information on this disease from the Mayo Clinic, please click here.
If you feel led to donate, volunteer, or get more information from the American College of Rheumatology, please click here.
Are there any other RVers or rheumatoid patients with similar experiences? Please comment so we can all support one another.
Happy Rheumatoid Arthritis Awareness Day.
With much love, Dawn.
I don’t remember knowing this about you, Dawn. Glad that the RV life is helping with the symptoms.
That’s wonderful that RVing has helped your arthritis. I have the osteo version, which as you pointed out, is quite different. Several friends have it, and my heart goes out to all who do.
How cool that this lifestyle has helped you with your RA symptoms, Dawn! My grandmother had a horrible time with it back in the 1940’s and 50’s. So many advancements since then, but still a struggle. Yay for the good days!
Thanks for sharing this info. I’m sorry you are battling this. But I am also encouraged by your positive attitude.
Glad to hear that RV life is helping with your RA. I suffer from Fibromyalgia and understand how chronic pain can affect your life. Having less stress and a smaller house to maintain definitely help me, but travel days when I’m having a flare are yucky.
I have RA and I’m currently taking Methotrexate Inj (Rasuvo 20mg). I am currently in the planning stages of transitioning to RV living full-time. Two of my biggest concerns are employment and medical insurance. Currently I pay $20 for a month’s supply, but I just asked the pharmacist how much the meds would cost me without ins….he said $500+. I plan on getting insurance, but the premiums plus the cost of this tier 3 medication have me worried. Any insight or info would be appreciated.
Hi, Melissa! I’m happy to answer what I can. I hope your RA is under control and you are feeling well–that’s always a day-to-day battle. I was fortunate enough to be able to retire early from my employer after 30 years of service and continue purchasing their insurance; however, it is VERY expensive (around the $1,000 per month area). As you know, the RA meds are expensive also–just my Orencia injections alone are just under $5,000 a month, but my insurance covers it. We’ve investigated cheaper insurances, but the prescription coverage is not as generous so our medical expenses pretty much balance out at the end of the year. In a stupid move, I attempted to go off all my RA meds to see if I could ‘live with’ the disease and eliminate the expense, and it was a disaster that had me down for months until the meds kicked back in (don’t do this–it was stupid on my part).
Managing the disease on the road is difficult, but not impossible. When I flare, I have an emergency supply of prednisone on hand. We also have to go back to Florida twice a year so I can see my rheumatologist for follow-up and prescription refills.
While my husband still works, I’ve been able to get by without full-time employment or doing jobs that aggravate the RA. I do some writing, this blog, and crafting. It took a while to find my niche after I retired and got on the road (I was a medical transcriptionist for a very regimented employer).
The bottom line (for me) is that insurance is needed for the RA and the RA complicates the travel somewhat because of followups, etc., but the lifestyle has benefited me in a way that did not when I was working full time and taking care of a huge house. There are definitely a lot of pros and cons to realistically make the decision to live full time and travel in the RV, and a chronic illness has to be taken seriously. It’s not impossible, though–and I don’t regret a moment. But, everyone’s circumstances are different.
I’m happy to answer any questions at any time within my realm of experience, and I’m definitely here if you need to bounce off ideas, etc. I hope this was helpful in some way!
Take care–and contact me anytime! Dawn
Hi, Melissa! I’m happy to answer what I can. I hope your RA is under control and you are feeling well–that’s always a day-to-day battle. I was fortunate enough to be able to retire early from my employer after 30 years of service and continue purchasing their insurance; however, it is VERY expensive (around the $1,000 per month area). As you know, the RA meds are expensive also–just my Orencia injections alone are just under $5,000 a month, but my insurance covers it. We’ve investigated cheaper insurances, but the prescription coverage is not as generous so our medical expenses pretty much balance out at the end of the year. In a stupid move, I attempted to go off all my RA meds to see if I could ‘live with’ the disease and eliminate the expense, and it was a disaster that had me down for months until the meds kicked back in (don’t do this–it was stupid on my part).
Managing the disease on the road is difficult, but not impossible. When I flare, I have an emergency supply of prednisone on hand. We also have to go back to Florida twice a year so I can see my rheumatologist for follow-up and prescription refills.
While my husband still works, I’ve been able to get by without full-time employment or doing jobs that aggravate the RA. I do some writing, this blog, and crafting. It took a while to find my niche after I retired and got on the road (I was a medical transcriptionist for a very regimented employer).
The bottom line (for me) is that insurance is needed for the RA and the RA complicates the travel somewhat because of followups, etc., but the lifestyle has benefited me in a way that did not when I was working full time and taking care of a huge house. There are definitely a lot of pros and cons to realistically make the decision to live full time and travel in the RV, and a chronic illness has to be taken seriously. It’s not impossible, though–and I don’t regret a moment. But, everyone’s circumstances are different.
I’m happy to answer any questions at any time within my realm of experience, and I’m definitely here if you need to bounce off ideas, etc. I hope this was helpful in some way!
Take care–and contact me anytime! Dawn