Alma's Story

For 67 years, my life was very active. I owned a quilt shop where I worked five days a week managing all daily duties, and in my spare time enjoyed physical activities such as leisurely walks. That was until I was diagnosed with RA.

“I can finally say I am happy because I am living life rather than surviving it!”

In 1996, I began to experience flu-like symptoms that I thought were stress related. I was tired, and my joints felt stiff. I figured that my energetic life was starting to wear me down. My symptoms worsened every day until my hands were completely swollen and inflamed.

I finally went to my doctor, and after a blood test, he knew right away — I had rheumatoid arthritis. RA made my life difficult if not impossible. While once lively and energetic, I soon found myself exhausted every second. Sometimes it was so difficult to move that I would have to crawl to the bathroom. I couldn’t even lift a glass of water with one hand. All of my energy was focused on simple, everyday tasks, and I constantly felt worn down and fatigued.

I tried several treatments, each which helped only minimally. I wondered if I would live the rest of my life in agony. Eventually, I had to close my quilting shop and move closer to my daughter so she could help me with day-to-day tasks. Once settled in my new home, I was determined to gain back some of the independence I had lost because of this disease. I began researching different treatment options, so when I finally went to a local rheumatologist I asked him about a treatment called REMICADE. Fortunately, my doctor believed that I would be an ideal candidate for the drug.

I had my first infusion of REMICADE in the fall of 2000, three years following my diagnosis with RA. I noticed an improvement, and for the first time in years, my feet were not in pain when I walked. It has been almost seven years since I was diagnosed with RA and nearly three years since beginning treatment with REMICADE, and I feel as though I have reclaimed my life.

I have been virtually symptom-free since January 2001. I now co-own a quilting shop with my daughter and work six days a week. My overall quality of life has improved since getting back into my work routine and enjoying walks again in my spare time. I can finally say I am happy because I am living life rather than surviving it!

Alma is representative of patients responding to REMICADE therapy under a physician’s supervision. Individual results may vary.

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