Author Davee Jones

My Medicated Mid-Life Growing up, nothing scared me more than needles…well, maybe Bigfoot, but, I saw way more needles than I saw Sasquatch. After living with RA, fibromyalgia, and whatever else my autoimmune system decides to attack, pain became a greater fear. Well, maybe not a fear, but, it became dreaded and interfered with living my life. So, after trying a few meds that didn’t work i.e. methotrexate, leflunomide, plaquenil…my rheumy and I discussed biologics. So, I started on Enbrel. Hoping for success to mimic a pro-golfer, I agreed and quickly I received my first prescription. But, I had to inject myself…with a needle…to get the Enbrel. Well, crap… Now, at this point in my life and treatment, needles are a normal, routine part of existence for blood work, and flu shots, the occasional steroid boost to eliminate a nasty flare. I became accustomed to someone else administering the needle. It was my turn, and it freaked me out. Now, I’m not prou...

My Medicated Mid-Life There’s nothing more humbling than taking a child’s pose in yoga. For real. I mean, taking a break in a yoga class seems like the wuss way out. But, today, I had to do just that. Take a child’s pose. My feet were cramping up something horrible during balance poses. My hamstrings stretched crankily, balking when I folded over. FROM THIS     My eagle had landed. Pun intended. TO THIS In class, I was torn between feeling so much joy that I was there, at least doing what I could and crying because my body wasn’t cooperating. At moments, I felt like I was failing in a world I use to govern. A few years ago, I pushed myself, doing just a few more seconds in plank, running a few more minutes, lifting a stronger weight. Now, I’m lucky to sweat. I relish when I sweat. I’m ecstatic when I sweat. I’ll repeat what I said last week: “I try to remind myself to perform at least gentle stretching exercises every day. Living with RA and...

My Medicated Life I figured it out. I want to someday wake up like those women in the mattress ads on TV. So full of life and vigor, they boldly greet the day, challenging negativity with a spewing bottle of champagne, or a run across town. Simmons Beautyrest Commercial Opposed to how I receive the morning, rolling into the fetal position, fearful of what will hurt worse. I wish I could sit up tall giggling, leaping out of bed like Mikhail Baryshnikov , now that’s a goal. Instead, I look like some kind of cross between a peg legged pirate and slug. My mind immediately filters to the day before, scouring what I did to make fill-in-the-blank hurt, i.e. my shoulders, arms, back, you name it. I know I pulled something the day before, and my muscles and joints remind me with a reckoning. No joke, sometimes, it was something as simple as carrying in grocery bags, yoga poses, or even moving unassuming household items around.   I try to remind myself to perform at l...

Ahoy Fellow Fathomers...My life took a turn a few years ago when I became sick and started a quest to find out what was wrong. Several doctors, tests, and what seems gallons of blood later returns the result as Rheumatoid Arthritis, commonly referred to as RA. Swelling between thumb and first finger web RA frequently attacks more than joints in the body. According to rheumatology.org : What is rheumatoid arthritis? Swelling below my ankle bone RA is a chronic (long-term) disease that causes pain, stiffness, swelling and limited motion and function of many joints. While RA can affect any joint, the small joints in the hands and feet tend to be involved most often. Inflammation sometimes can affect organs as well, for instance, the eyes or lungs. The stiffness seen in active RA is most often worst in the morning. It may last one to two hours (or even the whole day). Stiffness for a long time in the morning is a clue that you may have RA, since few other arth...

Hello everyone! Today in The Locker, I want to talk a little bit about what touches our skin. Specifically, what touches my skin. My autoimmune diseases have affected my nerves, which in turn can aggravate my skin. Once again, I dove into research. From Healthline.Com "Rheumatoid patients can develop skin disorders. According to the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics (UIHC), this happens because rheumatoid conditions like RA are autoimmune diseases. UIHC notes that the same kind of immune system problems that cause joint inflammation, swelling, and pain can also affect your skin. When this happens, RA patients may develop lesions or rashes on the skin, reflecting immunological dysfunctions." I've noticed the usual sunspots, age spots, freckles, etc that have slowly increased over time. With my fair complexion, I should've heeded the warnings about sunscreen. So, now, I'm gonna preach the benefits of sunscreen and shade. You don't want skin cancer...

Today in The Locker is my bestie Brian...he is a righteous beast. This man dedicates 24/7- 365 to ending MS. He doesn't have MS, he has a strong body and strong mind to work for those who do suffer from MS. I'm proud to call this man friend and lucky he is part of my circle in life. Please consider a donation to help his fight...he's raised thousands of dollars up to now, even $5 pushes for a cure. Please see today's message from the one and only--Brian Jones     Dear Friends and Family, Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, unpredictable disease of the central nervous system, which is made up of the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. It is thought to be an immune-mediated disorder, in which the immune system incorrectly attacks healthy tissue in the central nervous system. In 30 days I will be riding in my 10th Bike MS to raise awareness of this disease and it's affects millions of people, and to raise money to help fund research for new treatments and...

cONTEST ENDED... Welcome to The Locker!!!! I'm excited this month to be part of BookRhythm's March FLASH Frenzy.  To enter all you need to do is comment below with your favorite character from one of my books. Haven't read any of my books? I LOVE to meet new readers.  Check my page on Goodreads, get a little excerpt of any or all of your choosing! What do you do in your spare time?- I collect cookbooks, I love to cook and can foods, keep the birdfeeders full, try to keep my Netflix addiction under control, think about new tattoos, and keep up with my crazy family. I used to exercise and participate in triathlons, but, about 3 years ago I began getting sick. The doctors knew I had auto-immune diseases, but, it took a very long time and so many doctors to determine I have rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogrens Syndrome. Now, I do yoga at least twice a week and am adapting my life. I’m not ready to let diseases dictate my life, it’s about getting ba...

Hello everyone... Living with autoimmune disease is a challenge.  I have RA and Sjogrens. The maddening part is sometimes the day brings a new challenge I didn't expect. Take Saturday for example, my body went into full-on itching powder craziness. I have a high allergy level to trees, weeds, grass, some pet danders, mold, well...you get the picture. Because the same processes that attack allergens also wreaks havoc with the auto-immune system. I also have neuropathy and a loss of sensation. Which I realize is an odd combination when I have the horrible itching, but, my skin lacks sensation. Huh? The itching is like an inside out hives, imagine deep under the skin all of a sudden, a thousand chiggers invaded. You try and try scratching to get to the source. but, you can't. Well, I sat in a tub of epsom salt and warm water trying to soothe achy tired muscles and joints. Then, I began scratching the insatiable itch. Here's the result, and I didn't know this w...

1/15/2014 I’ve decided to use my blog not only to writing, music, and other facets of entertainment, but, also to share my journey. I’ve had significant health problems for almost three years. Thank you for listening, periodically, I will have a new installment chronicling my journey- A DIAGNOSIS A LONG TIME IN THE WORKS Hello, Fellow Fathomers, I appreciate your kindness, inspiration, and support. As many of you know, I was initially diagnosed with SLE, systemic lupus, almost two years ago. After that, a specialist further tested, and revealed no signs of lupus. Another doctor believed I had fibromyalgia and Sjogrens Syndrome. Now after failed medications, not getting better, developing migraines, gaining almost 40 pounds, peripheral neuropathy, change medications, new medications…it’s a lot folks. But! I finally have conclusive blood results. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and Sjogrens. I don’t know much about RA, I know the autoimmune disease, Sjogr...

I’ve decided to use my blog not only to writing, music, and other facets of entertainment, but, also to share my journey. I’ve had significant health problems for almost three years. Thank you for listening, periodically, I will have a new installment chronicling my journey- DEPRESSION CAN BE PAINFUL Although this time of year brings a warm glow to the core of most folks, we have a subset of people struggling to even wake up on Christmas Day. Depression/Anxiety/Bi-Polar/Fibromyalgia/MS/Sjogrens/Lupus/too many to list… Some seek help, some give up, some learn to live with it. It's not an easy life, but, it's one worth living. Which is the hardest part of all to remember, especially when you're in physical and mental pain. I had some of that pain yesterday.... I made the horrible mistake of miscalculating my Lyrica prescription  before it ran out. Taking the last pill on Monday morning, I called the script in to my amazing Kroger pharmacy. I arrived a...

Good morning!   I’ve decided to use my blog not only to writing, music, and other facets of entertainment, but, also to share my journey. I’ve had significant health problems for almost three years. Initially, a rheumatologist diagnosed me with systemic lupus (SLE) on June 19, 2013. However, the medication wasn’t working and I kept getting worse and developing new symptoms. So, after second, third, and fourth opinions, my neurologist believes instead I have fibromyalgia.   In April 2014 I visited yet another rheumatologist who I hoped would be familiar with autoimmune disorders. Following an extensive intake during my initial appointment, I found a place where the doctor also listened to me. Based upon my blood work, the doctor believes I have Sjogren’s Syndrome. She also made the diagnosis of Fibromyalgia and pre-lupus. I’ve never heard of pre-lupus, but, hopefully it stays in the “pre” category. Thank you for listening, each week I will have a new installment chron...

Good morning!   I’ve decided to use my blog not only to writing, music, and other facets of entertainment, but, also to share my journey. I’ve had significant health problems for almost three years. Initially, a rheumatologist diagnosed me with systemic lupus (SLE) on June 19, 2013. However, the medication wasn’t working and I kept getting worse and developing new symptoms. So, after second, third, and fourth opinions, my neurologist believes instead I have fibromyalgia.   In April 2014 I visited yet another rheumatologist who I hoped would be familiar with autoimmune disorders. Following an extensive intake during my initial appointment, I found a place where the doctor also listened to me. Based upon my blood work, the doctor believes I have Sjogren’s Syndrome. She also made the diagnosis of Fibromyalgia and pre-lupus. I’ve never heard of pre-lupus, but, hopefully it stays in the “pre” category. Thank you for listening, each week I will have a new installment chron...