Living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for over 30 years has been one of the greatest challenges of my life. For the first six years, I tried every available medication, from DMARDs (Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs) to combination therapies, with little to no success. Each attempt to regain control over my body was met with failure. The pain, stiffness, and chronic fatigue of RA ruled my days, reducing my ability to care for my family, move freely, or even complete basic tasks. My reality had shrunk to a world of constant suffering, one in which I was bound to a wheelchair and unable to climb the stairs in my own home. Then, in 1999, everything changed—dramatically and unexpectedly—when I became part of a ground breaking clinical trial for a biologic drug. That decision gave me my life back.
The Early Struggles: Searching for Relief
The beginning of my RA journey was marked by constant frustration. The swelling, stiffness, and inflammation in every joint—from my jaw to my toes—made even the smallest actions, like holding a spoon or taking a step, feel impossible. I dealt with the unrelenting pain day and night, but I rarely spoke about it. After all, my pain was written on my face for the world to see.
At that time, I was doing everything I could to manage the disease. There wasn’t a medication or therapy I hadn’t tried. But after six long years of battling severe RA with no improvement, I had grown tired and demoralized. My world had shrunk to the few things I could still manage while bound to a wheelchair and relying on home care for daily tasks. My ability to parent my two sons the way I wanted was especially painful to lose. I wanted to be there for them—not just physically, but fully present, free from the ever-present distraction of pain and fatigue.
Then, in 1999, a lifeline appeared. My rheumatologist at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg asked if I’d be interested in participating in a clinical trial for a new, unnamed biologic medication. I had nothing to lose—except, of course, the fear that it wouldn’t work. The trial was a double-blind study, meaning that I had an equal chance of receiving the placebo or the real medication. Despite the uncertainty, I couldn’t help but feel a glimmer of hope.
Entering the Clinical Trial: A Leap of Faith
As the first person in Manitoba to qualify for the drug study, I felt both excited and apprehensive. There were no guarantees. I knew that if I received the placebo, nothing would change, and I would continue down the same painful path. But if I got the real drug? The possibilities seemed endless.
The preparation for the study was rigorous. Blood tests, screenings, and even a tuberculosis test were required. The staff at the hospital knew me well by then—I’d been a regular patient for several years—and their support meant the world to me. They knew my history, my struggles, and they shared in my cautious optimism. After going over all the risks and signing the consent forms, I received my first injection of the mystery biologic.
That night, I went to bed on the main floor of our house, in the room that had become my makeshift bedroom since I could no longer climb the stairs. I was emotionally exhausted but also filled with hope. A small part of me dared to believe that I might wake up the next day and feel… different.
The Miracle Morning: Life Returns
The next morning, something truly incredible happened. I woke up, sat up in bed, and swung my legs to the floor. There was no stiffness. No pain. No fatigue. For the first time in six years, I felt like myself again. I could stand, walk, and move without the familiar weight of RA dragging me down.
My home care worker arrived shortly after, and when she saw me standing at the door to greet her, she almost collapsed in shock. She was so concerned about me that she tried to convince me to sit down. But I was on cloud nine. If I could have danced, I would have. This wasn’t just a good day in a long line of bad ones—it was something entirely new.
The pain that had defined my existence was gone, and with it, the constant fatigue that had limited my ability to do even the simplest tasks. For the first time in years, I felt like I could be the mother, the wife, and the person I wanted to be. That morning, I got my kids ready for school, made breakfast, and did it all without having to fight through the fog of RA.
Embracing My New Reality: Living Life to the Fullest
With the pain gone, I was determined to make the most of this new lease on life. I started doing all the things I had been unable to do for so long—taking care of my kids, running errands, and spending quality time with my family. I wasn’t just surviving anymore; I was thriving. My body felt alive again, and I couldn’t waste a single minute of it.
I felt like I had been given a second chance. The biologic medication had given me back my life, and I wasn’t going to take that for granted. The simple things, like getting up in the morning without feeling like my joints were locked in place, or being able to carry groceries without wincing in pain, became daily celebrations.
Together, my family and I adjusted to our new reality. It was like we had collectively exhaled after holding our breath for six long years. My sons, who had grown accustomed to seeing me struggle, were finally able to experience life with a mom who could fully participate again. It was an incredible gift for all of us.
Reflecting on 25 Years: The Impact of Biologics
That first biologic was just the beginning of my journey with these life-altering medications. Over the years, I’ve remained on biologics, and while the specific drugs have changed as new advancements were made, the underlying benefits have remained the same. Biologics gave me my life back.
For 25 years, I’ve been able to live with RA instead of being consumed by it. These medications haven’t just managed my symptoms; they’ve allowed me to regain a quality of life I thought was lost forever. I went from needing a wheelchair and home care to being able to walk, cook, clean, and care for my family. I’ve even been able to pursue my passions, like writing, and to be there for my children in ways I never imagined possible.
That’s not to say the road has been without its bumps. There have been moments when the medication stopped working as well or when side effects became a concern. But each time, my medical team and I found solutions. The ability to manage my RA through biologics has fundamentally altered my experience with the disease and, in turn, my outlook on life.
A Message of Hope: To Those Struggling with RA
If you’re reading this and you’re living with rheumatoid arthritis—or any chronic illness—know that you’re not alone. I’ve been where you are, trapped in a body that feels like it’s betraying you, searching for answers, and feeling like hope is just out of reach.
But things can change. Medical advancements, like the biologics that have transformed my life, are constantly evolving. There’s always a chance that the next treatment, the next medication, could be the one that gives you your life back.
It’s been 25 years since I received that first injection, and I’m still standing, still fighting, still living. And so can you.
Until next time, stay strong for yourself and for those who love and care for you. Together, we can support each other through this journey.