Rheumatoid Arthritis - Living with a Disease

As I mentioned earlier - one of the problems with having a disease is being able to purchase the medication needed to keep my disease under control. Because I am trying to get on medication that is IV admininstered - the cost of the medication is much more then anyone can afford(about $40,000 a year). Since I don't work and only receive my SSD payments and that I am on Medicare - it is difficult to afford such medication.

A few months ago - I was recommended in applying for Drug Assistance through foundation's. I thought I would pass along some information I received.

Recently I applied with Healthwell Foundation for drug assistance. They approved me for a grant for me to use towards my medication. This will help offset the costs that Medicare does not cover. If you are in a situation where you have partial insurance like Medicare and need financial assistance for medications for the 20% Medicare does not cover - try Healthwell Foundation. - You can find their website at - http://www.healthwellfoundation.org I found their representatives to be quite friendly and helpful in applying. They were able to help me - maybe they can help you too.

I thought I would start a module of items that I have purchased and found very useful in my day to day living with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

I know when you are first diagnosed or when the RA starts to get more aggressive, it gets harder to work and function on a daily basis. And since this disease normally hits people(like myself) who either does not have a lot of money or ends up losing their income to small disability payments - well you have to find things on your own or get creative.

So, I figure why not pass on what I have learned so far. Maybe it can help others. Now - I am not endorsing any products listed here. You are an adult and can make your own decisions. These are meerly suggestions and should be taken as such. I am NOT a doctor or nurse(or in the medical field for that matter). I am just someone who has this disease and has been diagnosed for about 7 years now.

*** AGAIN - I AM NOT AFFILIATED OR ENDORSING ANY PRODUCTS. I AM ONLY MAKING SUGGESTIONS ON MY OWN EXPERIENCE. You are an adult and need to make your own choices. Which means, research before you purchase. ***

Now, I have found that I can't sleep on inner spring mattresses anymore. And so because of this, I did a lot of research to find a new mattress/bed. I was looking for not only comfort but affordability as well.I found many different types and brands of mattresses. I even went to furniture stores (from l'cheapo furniture stores to speciality bed stores). I laid on a lot of mattresses and tested each one.

I tested a higher quality mattresses. The pillow top kind. I found that the springs still pinched my shoulders, rear, hips and back. And I was so stiff getting out of the bed. Plus, with some of the pillow tops - I needed a step stool to get out (and I am 5'5"!). Then, I looked at it. It is quite poofy. How would I put on the sheets? I can't get my right arm above my head and to move myself around is almost impossible.

Then I tried the famous air mattresses that is advertised on TV. My husband and I visited one of their stores. He loved the controls - new gadget for the guy - lol. But, I couldn't get comfortable. I kept adjusting up and down and then would lay there and have to adjust again a few minutes later. And, I found (because of me and my disease) that I had to re-adjust it if I moved from my back to my side. I knew that would wake me up. I needed to find something that automatically adjusts when I move.

Next, we tried the water bed. Well, that was a dumb idea to try that(for me at least). LOL Oh well, you never know until you try it. (geez couldn't get out of bed without help - really wonderful when you have to use the restroom in the middle of the night!). I don't think my husband would be to thrilled with me if I woke him up to have him help me get out of bed to go to the bathroom at night. Plus, we have cats - so that ended that idea.

Then I tried the foam mattress. I research many different kinds. I went to a high end furniture store to test the popular one that is advertised on TV(you know). I don't want to mention the name, because I don't want to get into trouble. But, it is the one everyone raves about. I found that it was too firm - not really giving. I really didn't sink into it. I laid there - it felt like laying on the floor really. And there was a chemical smell. I have a sensitive nose and a sensitive husband who has allergies and asthma.

So, I then tested some the cheaper types. Ok - they actually crumble. And the quality isn't that good.

*** I recommend:
Then I found IKEA. If you haven't heard of them, they are a Swedish based store that offers many different kinds of funiture and accessories for the home. My husband and I went to the store a couple of times to test out their mattresses. The nice thing about their store is that if you go during the week while everyone is still at work, you can actually test the mattresses (lay on them) as long as you want. After a period of time, I decided to purchase one of their foam mattresses. Their mattresses come with a zipped up cover(that is actually not to bad to wipe off in case of a spill). I also purchased a bed and bed frame from them. They have a bed frame/slatted bed base(insert that you can place into the bed itself) that is adjustable. It is almost like the hospital type bed where you can lift your head! I got the adjustable slatted bed base and it was only $120! The whole bed - mattress, sheets, bed frame and slatted bed base came to about $800! Which is much cheaper then the other brand I can't mention. And I love it. I can adjust the head to lift my head at night. Which is perfect, because the prednisone gives me heartburn. And they always say to elevate your head/chest when sleeping to help with heartburn. And the bed base is fexible and adjustable in tension. So you can make the bed as soft or firm as you want. It is not like being on coils and it is not a flat base. And since using the foam mattress I do not have back pain during the night anymore. I do from time to time have shoulder pain. But, this is because I sleep on my side. Which I am trying to break because my shoulders are messed up. But when I sleep on my back, I don't wake up for hours. Not like before where I was waking up every hour to toss and turn. They offer a 20year warranty on their mattresses. And they do have a return policy - they don't give money back(unless the mattress has not been taken out of the plastic - it comes rolled up in a plastic bag - actually lighter in weight then I thought - I could lift it) - but you can return it in 30 days to get a credit. Check the store though to make sure before buying.

So, if you hate your mattress and want to actually sleep at night - consider tossing the inner spring coil mattress out! Stop sleeping on metal springs! Do some research and go to the stores to test out different types of mattresses. Everyone is different in their disease and sleeping patterns. If you are considering the foam mattress route and do not have a lot of money to spend - check out the ikea.com website and/or store. You never know you might like it.

Good luck!

Quite a few months ago I purchased a Infrared Sauna. I wanted to find something that would "warm up the bones". Especially in the winter months. When it gets cold, it is hard to warm up sometimes. I tend to purchase large(really large) robes and layer like crazy. Or, I will take many hot baths during the day. But, the hot baths dry my skin out.

Back in the day when I didn't have RA, I worked at resort in Minnesota. Lutsen Resort is where I worked. It is a beautiful place on the shores of Lake Superior. I also lived at the resort. They had rooming facilities for their employees. Now, when I wasn't on duty, I was allowed to use the pool and sauna area. That is where I fell in love with sitting in the sauna. I loved swimming in the pool and then hitting the sauna. Now, their sauna was a large 10 person and it was steam. So, I started think wouldn't it be nice to have that for myself. But, maybe without the steam.

So, I started to look on the internet....

And, I found what they call an Infrared Sauna. It is a sauna without the steam. Which would be perfect for someone with RA because the steam could actually cause more pain(well it did for me). So then I did more research. And, I found that there is a portable unit you can purchase.

Now, I purchased a unit off a seller on Ebay. I paid $180 with shipping. I got an XLarge unit because I am a large woman(over-weight) and I wanted the extra room. I purchased one with a timer control and temp control. It came with a little chair(it is low - so if you can't bend - you may have to do something else or get a bench), a pad to go under me and a foot roller(I don't use it - my feet are too sensitive).

I set it up the next day and I love it! The temp for me gets to about 130degrees. For my husband it gets higher. I start sweating in about 10minutes (sometimes sooner if I am really bloated). I sit in it about 20 to 30 minutes each time and I used it just about every other day. I love it. It helps get the blood going, and my joints feel so loose afterwards. I follow it with a hot bath. It also burns calories. I am normally hungry afterwards. But, since I am trying to lose more weight, I normally grab a little item(like slice of swiss cheese) or a piece of fruit and water. It has helped me shed a few pounds. I don't recommend it for only weight loss though. I didn't get it for that.

Now, my husband is using it. And he loves it too. His hip has started to hurt him. Age is starting to take over in his hip. So, he actually comes in and sets it up and uses it a lot now.

I have it sitting in a corner in the master bedroom so all we have to do is slide it out - plug it in - and turn on the music or tv. I watch TV and my husband loves to listen to classic or jazz while in the sauna.

Our one male cat looks at us funny when we are in the portable sauna. He normally sits on the bed wondering why he can't be in there too. lol We have to make sure we close it after we are done, because he loves the stinky smell it has afterwards. It is fairly easy to clean. Just wipe down the sides and rinse out the foam bottom. Not super easy - but do-able.

*** I recommend...
Portable Infared Sauna

- Good Luck! (again - I am not affiliated with any sauna company and I am not endorsing it either - this post is from my experience and my husband's ONLY. make your own judgements from what you read and research - research - research before you buy!)