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David in NC
Posted Saturday, November 07, 2009 2:50 AM


 

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Hello,
I am a 30 year old male that was diagnosed with RA in September of 2006. When asked about my time dealing with RA, I always say there are good days and there are bad days. Recently there have been more good than bad, which I am very thankful for. Anyway, before being diagnosed I was an avid runner. I enjoyed the time alone, the fresh air, and the fact that it was good for me. I never ran road races, but always wanted to. Well, after pain began developing in my knees, ankles, hips, etc., I decided that running and me would have to part ways. it was sad, but for the best. After being diagnosed with RA, I didn't run for quite a while, for obvious reasons. But after working with my doctors and dealing with dozens of medications in the first year, I found that enbrel was my wonder drug. At first, it was enbrel, prednisone, and MTX, then enbrel and MTX, then enbrel and plaquenil. Eventually it was just enbrel, which it is today, one shot, once a week. An occasional aleve and Im good to go. Im jumping around in my story and I am sorry for that, but back to the point. After I found myself on the enbrel and methotrexate, I was feeling much better, so I asked my doctors about running. they told me that I need to be careful, but it was ok to try it. Start short, start slow, and don't overdo anything. If Im sore, don't run, if I have a flare up, don't even think about running. So that's what I did. I ran, not very often but, I ran. Then in may of 2008, I signed up for and completed my first 5k race. I didn't win, but I finished. In October of 2008, I signed up for and finished my first 8k race. I didn't run much after it started getting cold, my body still isn't the best in winter. but when the warm weather of 2009 returned I started running again. I also started swimming a little and purchased a road bike. Next thing I know, I signed up for a sprint distance triathon (1.5k swim, 20k bike, 5k run) and finished that in September of 2009. Now it is November 2009, and I have signed up for a half marathon. It is happening on the 14th of this month in Conway, SC. Hopefully it will go successfully. Say a prayer for me to complete it safely and I'll be sure to report on here how I do. I thought that my story maybe would encourage someone that might read it. Thanks for reading, David in NC
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Grandpavan
Posted Saturday, November 07, 2009 11:56 AM


 

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Welcome to the board and thank you for sharing your real upper of a story. I'm not medically trained but from what I read a biologic is usually given along with another RA medication to reduce the risk of rejecting the biologic. I think rejection often happens after about 5 years but with the other RA medication it might take longer for the rejection or maybe never happen. Please talk to you rheumatologist about that.

I'm sending prayers of thanksgiving for your success thus far and prayers of petition for success in your race and future treatment. God bless.

Age 82, diagnosed RA 12/2001, married since 1952, 4 sons no daughters, 4 grandsons 1 granddaughter.  Doing well on Methotrexate and Remicade.
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Gramma
Posted Saturday, November 07, 2009 12:32 PM


 

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Welcome David!

That's fantastic! I used to love to run, but at my age it's an impossibility. I'll be with you in spirit on your half-marathon. I hope your weather will be fine!

Your perseverance is admirable, too. You give hope to some of our newbies who think they will never get control of this disease.

I'll pray for you to succeed in your race.

Hugs,
Gramma Ellie
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MaryFran
Posted Saturday, November 07, 2009 4:47 PM


 

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Welcome David! I loved reading your success story! My youngest son, now 36, was a runner all through junior high, high school and college. He ran on the University of Washington track team. I alway loved to watch him run because he is 6'4" and as very long legs. He'd look like a deer dashing along on the track. Can't remember his times now but he got lots of medals throughout his running career. He still does some casual running but no more races. Hope you do well and have safe fun in the SC marathon. You are an inspiration to many of the young folks on this forum who are afraid they won't be able to be active! Thanks for sharing with us.

Mary H.



Plaquenil, Medrol, soon to be Orencia, Folic Acid, Vit. D, B12, Calcium, + others unrelated to RA
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Diane B
Posted Saturday, November 07, 2009 9:03 PM


 

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Good for you, David! I will be sending thoughts and prayers your way on the day of your run. I just love how you took it slow, followed directions, and got good results.

Take care and good luck!
Diane
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David in NC
Posted Saturday, November 07, 2009 9:37 PM


 

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Thank you all for your encouraging words. I was hoping that this could give some hope to some of the newly diagnosed. I know that when I was first diagnosed, I thought my life was over, that it would be a steady decline until I couldn't do anything. I was put on anti-depressants along with all my RA meds almost immediately. Fortunately, I have had great succes with the enbrel. And now ater being able to get back into running and such, not only am I feeling way better physically, I am emotionally also, which I think is greatly in part due to being able to get outside and run. I think that the key is to take it slow and to listen to your body.
And for Grandpavan, I have already began to discuss, with my rheumatologist, the possibility of my body rejecting the biologics after some time. If it happens, then I will deal with. I have read of that happening quite often, so hopefully not, but we'll cross that road if and when I get to it. Thanks to all for the prayers, but be sure to save some of them for next Saturday.
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Bodak
Posted Saturday, November 07, 2009 11:16 PM


 

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This is good news David and I'm pleased that you are able to complete these events.
All the best for the upcoming one.

----------------------------------------
Peace be with you always.
Stephen

Severe RA since October 06
Web Site - Photography
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Great Granny
Posted Sunday, November 08, 2009 12:41 AM


 

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This is awesome! Good luck to you. I'm praying for your good health and your success.

Gramma Ellie, I saw a woman on the Today Show, who had just run her in the New York Marathon. This was her 22nd marathon, and she was -- dum-dum-da-dum! Wait for it! Here we go! - 82 years old!!! (Of course, I'm sure she probably doesn't have RA either.)
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Liz M
Posted Sunday, November 08, 2009 11:55 AM


 

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Wow, David! That is wonderful and encouraging!! I am 35 and have felt twice as old for several years. It's difficult to imagine being able to do some of the active things I used to do (repelling, indoor rock climbing, dancing)! I hope that I will be able to return to them some day! I can't take the TNF blockers b/c I have the Lupus marker (and apparently, it's risky - could put me into full-blown Lupus, in addition to my RA, and they are not a good pair), but I hope to eventually try Rituxan or Orencia. I am sure they will come up with some better drugs, as well!

I will be praying for your upcoming event! That's terrific!! Keep us posted and we want pictures from the finish line !!

Liz
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David in NC
Posted Wednesday, November 18, 2009 4:41 AM


 

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So to let everyone know, I did complete my half marathon. I actually did much, much better than I ever expected. I finished in 35th out of 139 participants. If anyone wants to check out the results, I posted them below. Thanks again to everyone with encouraging words. And thanks to enbrel and prayer for this opportunity.

http://www.rmssports.com/results/09conwayhalf.txt
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Tommy4
Posted Wednesday, November 18, 2009 8:15 AM


 

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David,

That is very good actually great for someone with RA. I cannot run anymore due to a hip replacement or was advised not to do so.

Tommy
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Gramma
Posted Wednesday, November 18, 2009 9:56 AM


 

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Whoo hoo! Go David.

Congratulations on your excellent place in the half marathon.

We'll look for you at the Olympics.

Hugs,
Gramma Ellie
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Bob_S
Posted Wednesday, November 18, 2009 10:07 AM


 

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I'm jealous. My Rheumy tells me I shouldn't even be walking. I was once a runner. It caused shoulder problems for me and after after surger for torn labrums and calcium deposits I took up walking. I was walking as much as 50-60 miles a month. I guess you could say a marathon walker. I had to stop walking 2 years ago this coming June. Now I have a handicap placard for my car and my rheumy says walk as little as possible. So I'm jealous but also happy that you've been able to catch your disease quickly enough to prevent the damage to your feet that I have experienced. Good luck with your future efforts and God bless.
Bob

 

 

___________________________________________

"You're as happy as you make your mind up to be."  - Abraham Lincoln

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