Member Profile Melanie Lloyd Age: 26 Hometown: Austin, TX Arthritis type: Rheumatoid Arthritic for... 16 to 20 years

What don't you tell your doctor about how you manage pain?
I don't tell him about all of the accommodations and sacrifices in our lifestyle that my husband and I make.

What could George Bush do personally to make the lives of arthritics better?
Find a miracle medicine that cures the disease without any negative side effects. More likely though, creating awareness and understanding about the different diseases. RA is not something that just impacts your thumb...it's your joints, your organs, your stamina, your lifestyle, your family planning...it's not like the commercials.

What could the Arthritis Foundation do?
Support people with arthritis. I am involved with my chapter and feel like it is a one way relationship. They want me to do things for them and raise money for them. In return, they may send me a brochure about RA. I don't need a brochure. I need caring people who understand, that I can talk to, programs that I can participate in, classes where I can learn more and learn how to inform others. Drug companies have incentive enough to do research by charging $2800 for each of my Remicade treatments.

Have you ever used your arthritis to gain an unfair advantage?
Of course. We all use our "strengths" to our own advantage at times. However, it usually comes back to hurt me in an unrelated way. So, I don't so much now. But as a kid, to get out of PE, to stay home from school - of course!

When's the last time you felt humiliated because of your arthritis?
At a doctor's appointment. Sad, but true.

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