DJ Creme De La Creme’s sister Mary Murugi has taken a bold decision to talk about rheumatoid arthritis – a medical conditions condition she is suffering from.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks your own body’s tissues affecting the lining of joints and causing a painful swelling that can eventually result in bone erosion and joint deformity. [sic]
“November 9,2017,is a day that everything changed.It took a gym injury to trigger a condition i was born with:Rheumatoid Arthritis .The severe back pains needed Spine surgery to replace my herniated disc,L5,S1.I was recovering from the surgery when my back pains and body swelling made me go for further testing.
I sat there in my doctor’s room with mixed feelings as he gave me this shocking news,that i have Rheumatoid Arthritis, and since it started at the age of 7,its Juvenile(Still’s disease).I felt like i was in a bad dream& wished I’d snap out of it.Whoah am a tough girl,no tears dropped. I knew Arthritis is only the one associated with old age and causes deformity (Osteoarthritis).I didn’t know there was another type that i had ,that is basically a malfunction of your immune system.I was CLUELESS what Rheumatoid Arthritis is,i never knew someone’s own immune system can attack your own body tissue, surrounding the joints.Like how can your own body destroy itself??My first spot to be attacked is the Spine,” wrote Mary Murugi.
Incurable
There’s no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, physiotherapy and medication only help to slow the disease’s progression. The treatment is however very expensive, Mary spends at least Kes 350,000 a month on treatment.
“As I was digesting the shock,i look at the prescription that is handed.He explained that the disease,RA had no cure,my heart sunk,but is manageable through various drugs that can be harsh i.e Chemotherapy treatment given in low doses.
I was like say what.Chemotherapy,how?Yes,it’s used to manage RA as it alters the abnormal behavior of cells.That was the beginning of managing Rheumatoid Arthritis.I need to take 7 pills daily to keep my body from swelling,prevent joint damage,& manage severe pain.
Thanks to my awesome medical insurance,i’m getting back my life,the medications keep me pain free&my quality of life has improved.Monthly treatment costs roughly Ksh 350,000 incl. of an injection given monthly that is administered as inpatient.
✔Methotrexate/(Leflunomide)20mg-Disease Modifying Anti Rheumatic drug,suppresses my overactive immune system.
✔Golimumab(Simponi)50mg injection -Suppresses my system by binding the excess protein.
✔Oxycodone (Oxycontin)20mg-Opiod painkiller that manages the severe pain.
✔Celebrex(Celecoxib)400mg-Anti inflammatory,reduces the inflammation.Plus Vitamins,Calcium&Vitamin D3 -Living positively with Rheumatoid Arthritis-“