RA vs BBQ

It's a bit of a mystery, where and when my next swollen joint will appear. My knee? Left or right hand? Elbow? Wrist? Which one? The suspense is killing me. No, check that, it's the pain that is killing me, not the suspense.

Lately, I have had "classic" red, swollen joints which appear late in the day and sometimes disappear when I wake up. Sometimes not. In the past week, I've experienced, my left wrist, my 3rd and 4th MCP on both hands, my left knee and the list goes on. You just never know where RA is going to be when the music stops.

I know RA is characterized by swollen, red joints and I do have those, but mine are typically more of a slow burn, where there is enough inflammation and pain to make itself known, but not enough to cause a full-blown flare. I've had this for 20+ years.

I've always had a hard time at my Rheumatologist's office when they ask how I am feeling. I think so much of this answer is tied up to your personality and disposition. I tend to be happier and err on the side of positive, so I am usually "OK" which actually tells my health care team zilch.  But usually it's true.

I read fellow bloggers posts about an onset of a flare, or being in a flare. I've never really termed my RA in that manner. I have moderately active joints, that flare up one at a time every now and then. I could say I've been flaring for 20+ years, at a slow and steady rate - like good BBQ. I have some flare ups, but for the most part, my damage and pain comes from years of low-grade inflammation.

Wow, did I just compare RA and BBQ? Hmm, well its one of the better analogies that I've used to illustrate a patient's perspective. And it's -24 C with the windchill with 10 cm of snow falling today here in Ottawa, so Summer sounds good right about now.

Along these crazy lines - BBQ, summer, music. Well, one can only refer to the Canadian Icon Brian Adam and the Summer of 69. One of the best Canadian rock songs ever. You can't help but smile and rock right along.