My heart goes out to you! I know exactly what you feel. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia about 7 years ago, but had been battling constant pain since 2013. I’m now starting to have new symptoms that I think may be RA. Was tested for that back when everything first started and was negative. Keep being strong and know that you’re not alone. People won’t ever be able to understand what it’s like dealing with an “invisible” illness unless they go through it themselves. You are not alone though! Stay strong!!
Thank you for your video. I just turned 28 and was just diagnosed with RA. I have been very immobile all while watching my friends and family enjoy life.. its a very lonely experience.
Dear Eli, I apologize for the late response. I wish I could be there to support you in person. My journey with RA has been physically taxing and emotionally taxing as well. You are not alone even when it feels isolating ❤️ if you have IG I am pretty active on there and I respond quick on that platform. I would love to connect more with you ( IG @jtakesonra) So much love to you, - Janessa
There is help out there i myself have this and yes i cannot eat or drink but i can run now be active again i got on the Paddison program it really works
Hang in there. I've had RA for 13 years now. There are highs and lows. I've been able to live a mostly normal life once I was put on meds to help the inflammation. I've just recently started a vegan diet which is suppose to be help keep inflammation down. I've heard that people who switch to a vegan diet early on in their prognosis can have a lot of success keeping their RA at bay. Body on Fire is a great book to read regarding changing your diet to help with RA.
Going from healthy to in pain every day is almost like being in a permanent bad dream . Please stay positive, focus on what you CAN do in life. The morning pain is the worst, I used to dread going to bed. Youre a beautiful young girl, we are all here for you. xx
I’m 5 days from seen a rheumatologist and it’s a scary thought. Thank you for sharing, you’ve been through a lot and I can relate. The pain is unbearable!
I feel every drops of your tear. Because I know the the pain. I'm suffering for almost 9 years. It’s really hard to cope with RA. We know We have to live with it for rest of the life. So We've to be strong. Take care and All the best. 🙂
It cropped up in my twenties too. It has been 1yr today since I found out it was RA, but I've had it for 3yrs. I was diagnosed when I had no insurance so instead of drugs I've opted to spend the last year radically changing my diet and lifestyle in order to keep the inflammation down. Hopefully I'll be able to see a rheumatologist this year. It can be rough, especially when I think of things I can't do right now. But, I'm glad I've finally started to learn how to take better care of my health. I have also learned how to cook and I have gained a greater appreciation for food because of it. Thanks for sharing your story!
Only ONE I am sorry to hear your going though this too. But you are inspiring me about using food as medicine. I am just truly starting to realizing the healing powers of Whole Foods and spices. Did you cut out sugar? I am trying to cause I know it makes me flair up but that’s a hard one for me to cut out.
@@161616519 Yes, I cut out sugar. I now use only small amounts of honey and fruit to sweeten things (and I can tell when I've had too much fruit). It was a long process to cut it out--I was basically addicted to sugar. I had actually started cutting it down sometime before I was diagnosed as I had recognized years before my body wasn't liking it so much anymore. The diagnoses and some research were the last push I needed to do what I thought impossible--cut it out. I started by reducing it to just one sugary item a day. Then I accidently went on a low-gluten diet and noticed that when I ate bread products I really craved sugar. As I cut down on gluten I stopped craving bread and could go a day without thinking of sugar. I can't say this will work for anyone else, but for me, cutting out gluten made cutting out the sugar so much easier. I would actually say cutting out dairy was the hardest--but maybe that was because I was working at a pizza place. I don't really miss the foods I cut out--sometimes I miss the convenience of them, but I don't crave them. Just make sure you are getting enough calories as you change your diet. I was used to eating a lot of unhealthy, low volume, high calorie foods, so when I switched to healthier foods I was feeling full but falling way short on calories. My body did not like being even a little bit underweight and it was harder than one might think to gain the weight back. I don't regret changing my diet though. Good luck!
@@161616519 Also, I know for me, sleep and exercise are even more important than diet. I can now tell when I wake up if I need to go back to sleep to let my body finish sorting itself out. It makes a huge difference!
I developed rheumatoid arthritis at the age of 14 and have had it for over 30 years. I also have type 1 diabetes and ankylosing spondylitis. It is difficult to adapt to the diagnosis but I have no doubt there is alot of joy in your future too. Keep doing the things you love.
@@lahorihousewifekitchenkitc5169 I have my bad days but I'm a professional songwriter which means I travel the world making music which I thoroughly enjoy. I have supportive friends and faith like a mustard seed which means I never truly give up. I'm currently on biologic no. 11 which doesn't seem to be working and I need urgent surgery plus my blood sugars are out of control on the steroids, pushing the pause button on things I would like to do but I keep planning to do them. My biggest obstacle has always been uncaring medical professionals... I've mostly learned I don't get support from them! I've pretty much prescribed my own dose of prednisolone, and that may be a teensy example of not coping.... What about you? What is your point on the journey like?
@@EveWilliamsMusic thankfully you are strong enough to cope with so much . It must be hard to keep on moving with pain. Does medicines help in this condition and bring some improvement in your condition ?
I AM SOOOO PROUD OF YOU!!! i am 42 and was born with JRA ive had quite the journey.... i know u know i could never put it all on here...ive been trying to start a vlog channel on here as well because i want to help people with this what i call very angry illness.... but like u said u become so vulnerable...i have 6 videos so far but ive taken some hard hits the last few months with being sick so im hoping to get back to it this week....keep on fighting girl...i know ur gonna be ok...its so hard but you'll see...i can see ur a fighter too
Amylee, Thank love for the encouraging words 💗 yes, we got this. It’s a total journey. I’m sorry to hear it’s been tough lately. I love that your making videos keep it up the world needs your story. Lots of love to you, - Janessa
Thank you so much for sharing your story 💛 I got diagnosed at 20 years old. I would show symptoms in my knees/elbows when I was also 15-16 but they would get disregarded. Symptoms began to get gradually worse at age 19 and I basically was immobile for months. I am now 22 and still find it so hard to accept this new reality.
Jennifer thank you for your support 💛 I’m sorry to hear that you have had a similar experience. It took me a while to come to terms with RA and to learn how to enjoy my life again. But, I am so happy to say I am in such a good place right now and I finally feel like I am thriving. If you are ever looking for a community of young supportive people who have RA and are doing some awesome things. I have an Instagram @jtakesonra and I share a lot about my RA journey and other strong women and men too! I am rooting for you Jennifer; we got this 💛☺️ - Janessa
I am 23 year old,I can't open my left elbow just like you ,I feel your pain ,and I feel I am not alone thank you soo much for being vulnerable to share it,love you sister from India
@@anushrirawale7850 when I was 17 I got diagnosed with this, I continued medicine till I was 20 and then chose path diet and meditation to heal and ever since then I feel better about myself , i like expansion, do exercise,little pain here and there is normal just keep exercise regular and eat good food , i m vegetarian and only consume A2 gir cow ghee and milk+ deal with your shadow part + meditation+breathing all the fun things for self discovery , symptoms include pain in joint that's it
Hi Janeesa I have been diagnosed recently of RA I have watch a couple video on you tube about Moringa powder since I started this powder I have been feeling so much better. Please get capsule form or powder and start taking this! It’s a lifesaver Aysha
I got diagnosed at 20 and now im about to be 22 and i feel every word you say since diagnosis i just feel like i cant keep up and i use my energy to stay focus and barely go out. I thankfully graduated a semester early but RA is definitely life changing. A lot of people dont understand and think its all a joke. The “ but you dont look sick” breaks me
Endy, thank you for reaching out and I apologize for the delay. Congratulations on graduating. I hope this brings you hope, my first two years were the hardest for me. the 3rd, 4th year I started to make some small sustainable changes that helped. I am on year 5 now and have found what works for my body at this time ( its always evolving). I started with meditating then I implemented a more whole foods plant based diet, introduced really slow movements stretching etc. With love and light -Janessa
Hi Janessa :) I'm sorry you got this disease at such a young age and robbed you of the things most young people experience in their late teens and early twenties. I'm 47 and was diagnosed with RA late last year. RA sucks. It's debilitating, life changing and emotionally, mentally and physically exhausting. I'm not going to tell you to stay strong or it'll be okay or hopefully it'll get better (although I genuinely want all these things for you), instead I just want to say, I understand and I hear you and hoping your better days are more frequent than not. Thank you for sharing your story x
Nelli Folly thank you so much for your support. I truly appreciate your words. I am sorry to hear you are going through this too. It is truly a life changing disease. I also hope you have more beautiful, good days coming your way. Keep shining on ☀️
Hi Janessa, My daughter was diagnosed a few months ago. She is 22 years old. I can almost feel your pain my dear. I am so sorry that you have to go through this and everyone dealing with the daily struggles as well. My daughter is currently going through the same experiences where she would find it so difficult to just get out of bed or dress herself. The medication she is using (Methotrexate) makes her so sick but her doctor confirmed that she has to use it which she does diligently. She is also taking Prednisones - Calciferol - Folic Acid - Celebrex. Please share more info please love...take care.
Hello lisa, I’m sorry to hear about your daughters diagnosis. This disease has shaped me so much since being diagnosed at 21. One thing I am grateful for is that it brought me and my mom a lot closer. She is always there for me with so much love and support. I was placed on methotrexate, prednisone and folic acid for the first year of treatment. I have since then tried a variety of medications and am still working to find the right combination for my body. One thing that’s totally helped me that I just got into about a year ago are online support groups for young women with RA, it made me feel much less alone. If your daughter is interested I would be happy to send more information on some amazing free RA support groups. Lots love to you and your daughter, - Janessa
Sending lots of love to you all! When I went to the rheumatologist over the summer, my joint pain wasn’t so chronic and swelling wasn’t apparent quite yet, so I was turned away without any answers. As it got worse, I couldn’t raise my arm above my shoulders to dress myself, squeeze toothpaste, walk normally in the mornings, I started to watch a lot of diagnoses and lifestyle change stories from others with RA. I decided not to get a diagnose/prescription on heavy meds from doctors, so I don’t want to directly compare my conditions to yours/your family memebers, but I’ve been trying to cut out gluten, corn, certain meats that are generally inflammatory, and there are days where my 1-10 pain scale goes from 7 down to a 2. I love food and can’t help mixing some of those back in every other day, so I haven’t pinned down exactly what makes my joint point worse. But hopefully this info can be of help to supplement the medications you are taking!
I’m going thru exactly the same! I can’t with the meds anymore 😓! I’m trying home remedies! I consume collagen, vitamin D and C! Nettle leaf tea w breakfast and dinner, turmeric tea w lunch. I take moringa powder once a day- a long the day I rub Eucalyptus oil on my body- Been loosing all my hair but I don’t wanna loose hopes, because methotrexate is not the answer for me.
Thank you for sharing your story. I was just diagnosed with sudden onset RA. You are so right about learning how to live a new life with it. AND with people basically minimizing it which is hurtful and frustrating. I havent begun meds yet but i look forward to learning about others experience with them. TY again!
Stephanie I’m sorry to hear your life has been impacted by RA too. I am so glad you are here and I will be making more content going over medications and my experiences with them. Lots of love, - Janessa
Hi beautiful girl, I'm 38 I was diagnosed with RA in Oct 2019, it knocked me down coz I'm a musician. Never saw it coming, I feel your pain, I used to wake up with hands like they were broken, I'm on on MTX now I'm just looking forward to the pain ending. Hang in there xo
How are your hands now? My hands are the same, feel as if they have been hit with a mallet. I sincerely hope you are still able to continue working in the music business in some capacity.
@@myrasmith808 hi I'm sorry to see that, I can relate! Today I'm not too bad, mostly stiffness. Few weeks ago it was like they were broken, couldnt move them. Are you on MTX too?
@@retrosun1845 Seeing a specialist in 4 weeks, just on strong painkillers at the moment, and a controlled diet and exercise. Im focusing on the positives, I dont really want to end up on steroids. MTX has made a big difference to you?
@@myrasmith808 steroids dont do any good, they will calm the flare but when you're done with them the pain comes back, whenever the doctor gives them to me I never take em. I'm on MTX about 3 months now there is little difference, I know I need to give it more time so I'm willing to wait until my next apmnt in april.
Deshara Jones yes, it is truly one of the worst parts I want to open up about that too, for me my loneliness went hand and hand with depression. I am glad you said this, thank you. I am glad you commented ❤️
So this might be a wall of text and for that I'm sorry. Thank you so much for this video I didn't realize how bad I needed to know I'm not alone. I got my jra diagnosis at eleven (I'm 30 now) and everything you said about it was the same for me. Its hard when there's no one who understands how bad the pain is it took me years to find a few friends who understand and dating is rough when getting out of a chair feels like breaking your knees. All I can say is keep fighting and do what you can to stay positive.
I was also diagnosed with RA in my early twenties. Enbrel worked for me for a very long time but nothing seems to be working today. I'm convinced the pharmaceutical who bought Enbtral changed the formula, even thou they claimed they did not change it. because Enbrel worked wonders for me. I have severe deformities now and I know my RA has affected other organs. Hopefully. you have will find the right combination of drugs to take for your RA and make sure you have lung Xrays. It is definitely not fun having this disease. You are not alone..
Charlie Ford thank you for sharing this. I appreciate you reaching out. I have had some ups and downs on biologics as well. I’m so curious to find out more about these medications and other ways of healing. The chest X rays really good to know thank you. So much compassion to you and for you in your process of living with RA and anything else you may be going through 💗
I used to take methotrexate I worked for two years and then suddenly stopped working so things like this happen hopefully you'll find something that works again
Thank you janessa for sharing your story.I really cant stop my tears falling down when I watched your movie. Cause at your young age you have that RA.I was suffering RA at the age 58 and until now I go on with medication .It is really very painful..taking HCQS,methotrexate folic acid .and thank GOD it works but sometimes when we take foods that are not good for our disease, there we will suffer again the pain mostly in the morning..I salute you girl for being so brave in handling that RA at your young age. We all will be well someday in GOD's hands..We will be hoping for HIS HEALING hands to touch us...
I m Christopher from northwest Indiana and was unfortunately diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at the age of 44 yrs old and It definitely Is a fact that Its GAME OVER !!! For others and I no matter what treatment others and I get not unless a orthopedic surgeon can lessen our PAIN or PAIN management can help us a d It definitely makes others and I 🤮 that our LIVES got robbed
I was also diagnosed with RA this year. I’m not taking any medication yet. I’m doing medical medium program, It seems to help a lot. You should check that out.
Wow! Thanks sister, really you are such a cute, humble and honest thanks a lot, I wasn't suffering such disease, this vedio just came on mg way, I immediately subscribed just because of your attractive personality. Wow wow wow !
@@janessatakesonra64 I didn’t think that you were actually going to reply haha but I just want to say that today is my aniversary since I was diagnosed with Fibro&RA and there are some bad days but the most important thing that has helped me is to love myself, my body and with people who love me. Persons like you helps us to be brave and I send you al my love and support, we have to stay together ❤️. Wl from El Salvador 🇸🇻.
@@katherineramirez8518 wow, thats big day. I love the way you worded this. Yes, we gotta stick together. I am rooting for you and I am so glad you have this perspective ❤️ so much love to you! And thank you for being here. - Janessa
I was just diagnosed on Feb this year after thinking I had a knee issue... I can totally relate to everything you are saying. It's really life changing, and you feel like you have to re-invent yourself and forget about everything you ever knew/wanted... I'm 31, and It doesn't matter the age, I think it has been really eye-opening, even though I really hate being on pain and unable to move much... Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing your story. We all need a friend who can relate. Things like this, help us to cope with it. Hope you are doing good. A big hug and much light to you beautiful.
Thank you for sharing your journey with us. You are a strong and beautiful young lady, and by sharing your most vulnerable feelings with us, you are helping so many others. I was diagnosed with RA last year, I'm in my 50s. I just put all the symptoms down to aging and being unfit. It is a challenging condition I'm still coming to terms with, but when I see young people like yourself battling the same illness and being so helpful and encouraging to others, it really inspires me. Thank you again, and I wish you good health and good fortune for the future. You are so young and I'm sure there will be many more effective treatments, and hopefully a cure, when you're still a young adult. 🌸🤍🌸🤍🌸🤍
I was finally diagnosed in 2015 with RA. I hate that on the exterior we look okay but inside is where the battle is fought daily. I had to push thru my day yesterday even though I wanted to give up! Thank you for sharing you are so brave. Do you have hair loss issues due to the methotrexate? I did
Teresa, I feel this on such a deep level. It truly feels like an invisible disease at times. But, it has been a journey that has affected my physical and mental health which I wish people would talk more openly about. When I took methotrexate I did experience some hair loss but when I stopped it I didn’t experience as much. I am proud of you for not giving up. You are a warrior 💗 - Janessa
Hi Janessa, So sorry to hear your pain. My mom is suffering through the same so I can feel your pain. Cutting down grains, sugar and dairy from your diet can make the difference. Maybe this can help you m.ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-y79_9PSBFyg.html Hope you overcome this soon. Sending you great health and much love ❤️
Thanks for sharing your story. I was diagnosed with severe RA at 18, so I understand how hard it is to go through this at your age--and what a lonely and terrifying experience that can be. Have you talked to anyone about your diagnosis, professionally? I waited 15 years before I finally did some counseling but I found it surprisingly helpful.
Hey Johnny, It’s nice to hear from someone who was diagnosed young as well. I am just getting on board with RA support groups. I did see a therapist for a while until I moved states. But, I am so grateful for souped groups I wish I had joined them sooner. Sending lots of good energy your way, - Janessa
Your story came in my feed and I saw that you have RA unfortunately welcome to the club . I also have it with among other diseases such as fibromyalgia. I'm diabetic so no Prednisone for me. I felt your pain in the video. I'm also on infusions now which have been working for me. My first symptoms was when I was a teenager but yes our great family members ignore us and say oh your fine go lay down your feel better . So u stop saying anything at all because who want to hear the complaining of something hurting or your always feeling bad SMH.... But it look years to be diagnosed because Rh factors wasn't what they wanted it to be but clearly was there my AnA what's your antibodies was off the charts the blood test couldn't even read it. I did try a lot of different methods medicine that definitely didn't work. I do wish u well on this new journey you have as a fighter. Just a little side note rheumatoid arthritis awareness day is February 2nd. I always speak out about it ... I wish you the best just know we got this we are fighting even when we don't feel like it or want to .... you are strong you're a Survivor and we will win.
Brandy, Thank you for sharing this with me. I am so glad you speak up for this community. Thank you for all you have done and continue to do. With love , light and gratitude, -Janessa
Hello, I'm sorry to hear you are suffering with RA as well. There is not one specific diet that fits all since we are all biodiverse beings. However starting to remove common inflammatory foods are a great place to start. I would recommend trying to minimize any Dairy, added sugars, excluding natural sugars in whole foods, they come with fiber and are very beneficial in nutrients. I would always talk with your Doctor about making big life style changes but these small sustainable changes are a great place to start. With love & light, -Janessa
Hello, I'm sorry to hear you are suffering with RA as well. There is not one specific diet that fits all since we are all biodiverse beings. However starting to remove common inflammatory foods are a great place to start. I would recommend trying to minimize any Dairy, added sugars, excluding natural sugars in whole foods, they come with fiber and are very beneficial in nutrients. I would always talk with your Doctor about making big life style changes but these small sustainable changes are a great place to start. With love & light, -Janessa
Hi everybody i have RA and dr diagnosed almost 5 months ago is been too hard very hard to accept this and i dont been take any medication ..dr gimme metroxetato and i read alot bad things im so scare please you can share what medicine ur take and how u been feel and how ur body for inside is been doin im gonna apreacciate with all my heart....god bless u alll and i believe there is a cure a cure dr not want talk.😢
