Here we go! Rituxan round two. After today, I should be good for six months! 🙏♥️

For those who have just started following me on my journey, I get two Rituximab infusions — two weeks apart — every six months to help manage my rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. It also helps slow the progression of the disease — which can also affect other parts of my body.

Thankfully, these treatments have seemed to work for me for a number of years now — and I haven’t experienced any of the possible side effects. How it does what it does is somewhat of a mystery to me, but basically, the treatments change the way my body processes inflammation — and helps with the pain and swelling I experience in my joints that haven’t been replaced. (I had bilateral hip replacement surgery in December 2014 and both knees replaced 15 months later in February of 2016.)

Aside from the occasional flare-ups (that usually happen when I’m due for my treatments), most of the pain I experience every day is in the parts of my body that have sustained irreparable damage from my RA. (Feet, hands, shoulders, etc.)

Aside from chronic pain, chronic fatigue is probably the most frustrating part of the disease for me. Staying active and modifying my diet can help with that, too (although admittedly, I could be better about both…) 😄

I’m thankful to have met so many people — both online and in-person — who are experiencing something similar. I’ve detailed my experience so far on my website PSNeverGiveUp.com and encourage anyone who’s struggling or has been recently diagnosed to reach out to my friends at the Arthritis Foundation. They’re an invaluable resource for anyone living with any of the more than 100 different types of arthritis or autoimmune diseases, like me!

Whatever you’re going through, whatever battles you’re fighting, I hope you know you’re not alone. And P.S. Never Give Up. 🙏♥️

#PSNeverGiveUp #RAwarrior #arthritis #chroniclness #chronicpain #infusionday #infusion #rituxan #arthritis #nevergiveup