Mary's Story
When Mary was diagnosed with RA, she turned to the Arthritis Foundation. Now she sees the Foundation as her educator, nutritionist, fitness professional and advocate as she moves toward remission.
One night in November 2017, Mary awoke with a stiff neck, fever and chills. The stiffness spread to her shoulders, elbows, hips and knees. Soon she began to suffer from fatigue and a loss of appetite. A doctor treated her for Lyme disease, but seeing no improvement, referred her to a rheumatologist.
While Mary’s initial diagnosis was polymyalgia rheumatica, the underlying illness was rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Mary’s mother lived with RA for over 40 years, so she knows that every arthritis patient deserves expert care, effective and affordable medications and a commitment to scientific advancement.
She sees the Arthritis Foundation as her educator, nutritionist, fitness professional and advocate as she navigates the road toward remission.