One Man’s Long Journey to an RA Diagnosis

Andy Pendergrass matured in country Louisiana as an incredibly energetic and also sports child. But constantly impending in the rear of his mind was the reality that both his mommy and also mother’s grandma had rheumatoid joint inflammation (RA). Pendergrass understood that his family members background implied his possibilities of having the autoimmune illness were greater than standard, yet he swept aside the opportunity.

“I played football in high school, so something always hurt,” Pendergrass, 33, states. Even if he had had an idea that it could be RA, “I would have just said ‘I’m a guy. Guys don’t get it…’ and just sort of generalized it like that.”

At age 23, Pendergrass ultimately discovered that he, also, had RA. But the roadway to his medical diagnosis was barely straightforward or simple. And it took a while for Pendergrass ahead to terms with his problem.

A Delayed Diagnosis

Pendergrass currently believes his RA signs surfaced a lot previously, in senior high school. That’s when he observed discomfort that appeared “odd.” Still, he liquid chalked up the signs to plantar fasciitis, a kind of heel discomfort typical amongst those that play extreme sporting activities.

It wasn’t till Pendergrass visited his physician with an extreme sinus infection that he looked for clinical focus for his foot discomfort. The physician, Pendergrass states, concurred it could be plantar fasciitis, “till I mentioned that it was really bad in my toes.”

Aware that RA ran in Pendergrass’s family members, the physician purchased blood examinations. A number of days later on, the physician contacted us to verify a medical diagnosis for RA and also referred Pendergrass to a rheumatologist.

The rheumatologist, nonetheless, informed Pendergrass that his signs didn’t come from RA yet from level feet.

The brand-new decision left Pendergrass deeply baffled. “I have really big arch in my feet, so it was bizarre,” he states.

At the moment, Pendergrass was preparing yourself to relocate to Alaska with his brand-new better half. He didn’t have time to arrange via the clashing medical diagnoses. “I decided not to bother with the pain and put it off.”

It was just later on when Pendergrass relocated to Missouri, and also as his joint discomfort proceeded, that he chose to obtain a consultation. A brand-new rheumatologist verified that Pendergrass certainly had RA.

The information took a psychological and also psychological toll on Pendergrass, a boy that valued being literally energetic.

“At the time, the biggest question on my mind was what the rest of my life going to look like,” he states.

Acceptance of his long-lasting problem followed time, study, and also assistance, particularly from Pendergrass’s mommy.

“It’s hard for people who don’t have the disease to understand. Because you can’t look at me and say when I’m having a flare-ups,” he states. “That’s one of the things she understands.”

Looking Ahead, and also Reaching Out

In the years considering that his medical diagnosis, Pendergrass has actually handled to maintain his sports desires to life, also if he can’t precisely occupy any kind of sporting activity readily, as he when imagined. In the last number of years, he has actually likewise entered CrossFit — a kind of high-intensity period training workouts that include squats, drawing, and also pressing with flexible weights — and also appreciates playing golf. He credit scores CrossFit exercises with enhancing his muscular tissues and also relieving anxiety on his joints.

“I want to maximize the time that I get to be an athlete. It’s my passion; it’s where I get my frustration out, and I feel free,” he states. “And I don’t want RA to mess with that. If that means I need to eat clean, stay away from inflammatory foods, and stretch more, then so be it.”

Pendergrass returned to his residence state of Louisiana a number of years back. Living with a persistent illness can be separating, especially for those that live outside significant cities. But social networks has actually offered Pendergrass an opportunity to discover assistance and also to relate to others.

Recently, he established an Instagram account @rheumadad to share his trip.

“Honestly, if there are any young guys out there, I would like to really connect with them. Because I think we lack a community of young guys with arthritis to be able to commiserate with, to share ideas with, and to just feel like I belong,” he states.

Pendergrass has 2 young boys currently. The believed that his kids could come to be the 4th generation with RA has actually crossed his mind. But Pendergrass declines to emphasize it.

“I don’t enable those ideas to truly to settle in my mind. I recognize it’s feasible. I’m not mosting likely to place my head in the sand. And so, if it takes place, we will certainly handle it. It will certainly damage my heart.

“Rest of your life is not going to be consumed with having RA. You can let it … but you shouldn’t. Life is about way more than having RA.”