RA COMMERCIALS…REALLY?!?!
I originally wrote this in May of last year, but it is such an important issue that I decided to update it and run it again!
RA is an “autoimmune” disease. It is caused when something has gone wrong with the immune system and it begins to attack all the good healthy joints, lungs, heart and so on. There are all kinds of symptoms besides the burning and swelling of joints although this a very painful one. There are also the fevers, the fatigue, the infections, brain fog, depression, and so on and on and on.
I have tried almost all of the medicines out there and some work for a little while, others not at all and then there are the ones where the side effects are worse than the disease itself. I am not an expert on RA believe me, just a patient who lives with it every single day of my life. If I can cook dinner for my family, it is a good day. If I can clean my own home it is a wonderful day. If I can go to the grocery and walk through the aisle on my own (with the aid of a shopping cart) and make it back out without catching some long leftover virus from someone walking past me, then it is like the 4th of July, fireworks and all!
If I have to go somewhere, do something important then I have to rest up the day before and again the day after. An afternoon shopping trip to most people sounds like a lot of fun. To someone like me it can be a nightmare. RA leads to depression if you aren’t careful. In my case, I don’t think I am depressed although I do have DOWN days. I feel like I have to stay away from people to stay healthy. A flu to you is miserable. The flu to me is weeks in the hospital and thousands of dollars. It has made me a social hermit. I don’t go out and do the things that may be fun because I just can’t afford to pay for it later.
You raise such a good point. It’s true about depression, too, and so many other conditions.
Thank you Carol.
I don’t know anyone with it but I can see why those commercials can upset you.
They don’t really upset me they just don’t tell the “true” story.
I do know about arthritis but RA is new to me and as you feel upset about the commercial or ads about it I think some media people must look at mass sensitivity first before publishing such commercial.
They are trying to sell a product and don’t care how they do it!
I’m not familiar with RA but maybe ashitaba can work on treating that.
I’ve never heard of that.
Personally, I think there are far too many commercials for pharmaceuticals. They promise the world. but the reality is health care decisions should be between a patient and a doctor, not a commercial touting their “latest and greatest.” Of course television never tells the whole story.
So true Michelle, they give people the wrong ideas.
You are right, you give is something to think about.. Those commercials are all fluff in my opinion, they tell you what you want to hear not what it is really all about.
Very true, they aren’t the reality they are just trying to sell their products.
I guess overkilling a point in the commercial makes it not effective.
Definitely!
Love this quote: Remember to Appreciate the good, laugh at the crazy and deal with the rest! I wish you the best!
Thank you Paula!
i think that there are too many of those types of commercials out there as well. you raise a good point about how vague some of the symptoms are.
Yes there are definitely to many!
they Are All Scams & A Rip Off I Tell You Hate Them They Drive Me Crazy Too!1 LOL
Very aggrivating
I wish they can just tell it as it is and not exagerate.
That would be nice!
I was diagnosed with fibromylagia so my symptoms are a lot like yours. Prayers go out. Never give up. Commercials are only to sell the products but keep in mind some people are worse than others.
Yes I was diagnosed with that as well but it usually takes a back seat to the other. Good Luck!
sure is i’ve learn something today from reading this! such a nice post and very informative.
Thank you Jane.
Commercials never tell the whole story and yes, no two days are exactly the same
Your exactly right Sharon!
I agree, they never do paint a really clear picture in the commercials.
No they don’t!
I haven’t heard it before but it is really a dangerous for us.
Thanks Lloyd
I can definitely see why this commercial would upset you!
Thank you Alyssa C.
I can see why your so upset. I would be too. Take care
Thank you Michele D.
I think it’s normal that people who do not have RA don’t know how it really is and I totally understand what these kinds of commercials do to people with RA. Thanks for raising the topic!
Thank you for listening!
My grandma is 75, super active, and loves going on these adventure vacations with safaris and white water rafting… but she has RA and it’s horrible to see it deteriorate. Her Humera injections really scare me too because it just completely destroys your immune system. She had to leave a trip early because she got pneumonia, and we were all so worried. 🙁
Yes getting sick is the normal, it happens ALOT!
It is so frustrating when you try out medicines that as you say, have side effects which are almost worse than the disease itself. WIshing you many “awesome” days.
You are so right! I’ve ended up in the ER just because of side effects before. Thank you!
I hate all ads like they.. filled with promises and hope.. and it’s usually a load of crap.. I don’t know a lot about RA, so I wont talked out my bum about it.. but this is true about most diseases like this…
Thank you Natalie!
RA is a tough disease. I have a lot of respect for you for living every day with it. God bless!
Thank you so much Joanna!
Hi Rena, I knew RA was very disabling, but I didn’t think about the part of other people thinking you’re ok when your not. It’s kind of like people with mental disabilities. To the average person they see nothing wrong with them, but really on the inside they maybe having an anxiety attack or bout of depression. They’re doing their best to move along in their daily life without anyone seeing their troubles. I also hate the phony commercials that show people living the good live and then the disclaimer comment at the end says, oh yeah and the meds might cause you to feel suicidal or cause death. It’s so ridiculous. Blessings for you Rena.
That is so true! I guess that saying, “Don’t judge someone until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes” ring so true!
Wow! I see your point.
I had no idea arthritis was an autoimmune disorder. You’re right, people are under informed. I’ve seen these commercials as well, and they do play down the real burdens of people struggling with arthritis. Thank you for brining this to my attention.
Really interesting, thanks for the article!
Thank you!
I’m not aware of RA, but I’m sure whatever it is there’s a certain medication for that. Just proper knowledge about the medicine will make a big difference.
This is exactly my point.
I’m surprised daily by how many people I know who have autoimmune diseases. And I’m glad that people are talking about it more.
Although I don’t understand, I can’t, I can certainly sympathize.
It seems to be increasing daily for sure. I wonder why that is.
Understanding is EVERYTHING. And you have helped generate that. Blessings to you, sugar.
Thanks Carol!
Painting this true picture with your words will help people to understand and empathize in ways the RA commercials certainly do not. Valuable information, Rena!
Thanks Susan! Those commercials make it sound so easy…but it often isn’t.
This brought back so many memories of when I was diagnosed with RA around the same time I was diagnosed with cancer. I also remember all the awful drugs, including steroids, and the side effects. I remember trying not to show how much I hurt by trying to hide it. I remember when the doc talked about autoimmune disease. It was scary. I certainly can empathize with you. But you know the road I chose and I have been RA free and cancer free for decades. There is always hope
Yes, there is Carol! You are very blessed.
Thanks for raising awareness. I have a first cousin with RA, diagnosed in his mid 20s. But we live in different states, so I have no real idea what he’s trying to manage. All my best to you.
Thank you! I’m a lot better off than some.
I hate all big pharma commercials for too many reasons to state here but I strongly believe that modern meds (along with diet and exercise that sadly don’t show) have given me mostly “perfect” blood test numbers. However I realize I’ve been exceptionally lucky in the side affect department and know that can change at any moment.
Thanks for an education in RA I had no idea about much of it.
~pia
Hi Pia! I’ve missed you! You’re so right those side affects can be awful! Hope you’re doing okay!
My cousin has RA and she manages best she can. Most of the time you would never know. Life ain’t always a bowl of cherries. Wishing you well.
That’s for sure, everybody has something. I believe part of it is a person’s attitude. I have found a positive one necessary for a happy life.
People want to really see illness, then they believe. If you can’t see it it’s not there? It’s tough for people that have illnesses that can’t be readily seen. I know. In Buddhism they teach that you should treat every person you meet, like they were your mother, with kindness and compassion. Among other things, that means to me that you never ever know what’s going on with a person inside, so don’t judge and assume. Now I’m going to give you a piece of advice, that you probably don’t want but it’s given with respect. Have you tried yoga? I think yoga is especially good for autoimmune diseases. Thanks.
Anita
That’s so true Anita. Since I was diagnosed I moved to a warmer climate, changed my diet drastically and started walking, canoeing and swimming. I had to limit my walking and started doing yoga and I love it. I do it in the mornings and keep regular stretching throughout the day and it has made a huge difference in my pain levels. My problem is being around people and getting sick but even that has improved over the last year.
I used to call on a Rheumatologists when I was a pharmaceutical rep and learned about RA and it really can be a debilitating disease. It is a disease that is under the radar for most people and those commercials don’t help! I am in awe of what you do!
I’ve been one of the lucky ones Haralee. Since making big changes in my lifestyle my pain level has significantly dropped and as long as I don’t get an infection things are pretty good right now for me. I take my last Rituxan infusion tomorrow so I’m optimistic!
Hi Rena, My sister also has RA and she has many of the same issues as you share above. It’s a terrifically debilitating condition and I’m so sorry you have to go through it each and every day. My heart goes out to you. I can see why the commercial would make you so mad. xoxo
I’m sure you have seen commercials similar in nature Claudia. Everything the pharmaceutical companies make are the next “miracle cure” for what ails you. I’m sorry about your sister!
When my Mom was in a home, there was a woman just down the hall who suffered terribly with RA. A young woman. Her fingers were twisted like corkscrews. Most of them bent the wrong way. She couldn’t use them for anything. She was wheelchair bound, and her body denied her even the most basic of abilities. But still she was the most cheerful, upbeat person in spite of the unbelievable pain she must have been suffering. I think of her often. Every time RA is mentioned, I think of the agony she must have suffered every moment of every day. Believe me, Rena, my sympathies and prayers are with you! <3
Thanks Diane! Wow what a scary picture. I’m very lucky in that aspect. While I do have joint pain sometimes pretty bad especially with my feet and ankles mine seems to be going after my heart and lungs more often. Of course that’s due to 30 years of smoking I’m sure!
I’m so glad you reran this Rena. I hate all of those commercials, because all they care about is selling drugs – not the people who are suffering! I’ve learned so much about RA from you, and with your positive attitude, you’re my hero!
You are so sweet Lana! I’ve been very lucky to have found one of the best RA docs out there. He retires in July so I’m just hoping his predecessor learned alot from him.
I do exactly! I had guillain barre syndrome just a few years ago and still suffer from it. Those commercials make me nuts! Great info and thank you!
I had not heard of this before. I hope you are doing good now. Even the name sounds scary!
I don’t understand why we allow all these phamaceutical commercials. Most of the symptoms are as bad or worse than the disease. We managed to ban cigarette commercials, I don’t see why we can’t ban these as well. It’s all about profit and I can’t think that’s a good thing.
I agree Adrian. They flat out lie to people and that is never a good thing. I see it for all kinds of medications not just the RA drugs. Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting!
Thank you for your brave sharing and raising awareness not only for RA but also of other “hidden” illnesses.
Thanks so much Rosemont I’m so happy that you enjoyed this!