RA... Say what?!?!?!

My name is Beth. I am 35 years old and I have Rheumatoid Arthritis. The purpose of this blog is to educate, advocate, and provide a look into what it is like to have autoimmune diseases as a mother, wife, and person in general. I would like to take a step back and reflect on how I was diagnosed. It was 2012 and I was pregnant with my third child. I was sick with strep throat for the like 8th time in a year. I went into a walk in clinic and the Doctor looked at me and said "I would like to do some blood work on you. You are sick way to much and something is not right." That blood work was the answer to so many unanswered questions that I had had in my past. Long story short, I was referred to a Rheumatologist and found out I have Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, and Fibromyalgia. I also have a list of other issues that are autoimmune related such as a blood clotting disorder, thyroid disease, anxiety, and mild depression. The diagnosis, while awful, was an answer to 3 miscarriages, constant pain, and ongoing illnesses that I couldn't seem to get over completely. It also was awesome in a way because I didn't have to search for an explanation of why I felt this way anymore. I realized in my diagnosis that I was not weak, but extremely strong. Here I was 33 years old, two kids and pregnant with my third, and I had RA. I am bad ass... It is hard enough taking care of a family when you are a healthy person. I am doing it, and doing it well, despite my disabilities.