About Me

Hello! 😊

This post is a little about me, my diagnosis and just some fun facts about me!

My name is Caitlyn and I am 17. I was diagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic Rheumatoid Arthritis in September of 2011; I was 7. This was quite a confusing and traumatic time for someone like me, who had never really been to hospital before. 

My arthritis started in my wrists. At least, my wrists were the worst joint affected. My arthritis is polyarticular, meaning affects more than one. I started having weekly injections and blood tests meaning I missed a lot of time at school and time with friends. I was never really afraid of needles and blood, but oh! How times change! I have a very strong dislike to needles now and to be honest, blood makes me faint. 

My Arthritis started in my wrists after being hit by a ball. From then on, things only seemed to get worse. My mum suggested going to the doctors after it didn't get any better, so we did. It had swelled up and went very stiff. I couldn't bend it at all, let alone move it. The doctor told me I needed a blood test. It was my first one, so I was a little scared. It wasn't so bad. I think the cold spray worked!

Whilst we were waiting for the blood test results, we went on holiday. Before we left I had a cast put on my right arm, to try and reduce swelling. I could finally get away from the hospital for a bit. Except, that's when my left wrist started to swell. The rest of the holiday was sadly spent in pain.

When the results got back, I was sent to A and E. There, they did another blood test, and I met a Paediatric Rheumatologist who told me I had Polyarticular JIA. 

My life changed that day. I was put on two medications, Prednisolone and Methotrexate. They helped a great deal. Unfortunately, being as clumsy as I am, I broke my leg on my trampoline. I had a cast put on my leg, then after 6 weeks, I had a leg brace put on. I was just generally unlucky.

My Dad had to inject me. He said at first it's a horrible experience, having to inject your own child, but in the long run, it's all for their benefit. If my Dad didn't do my injections, I'd be in a much worse state right now. Fortunately, after lots of "Just do it!" and "Screw it, I can't do it!" I finally do my own injections. There's nothing wrong with not being ready; it's natural for your body to go "Nope!" when you bring a needle to your skin, so take your time and do it when you're ready! Let me know if you would like a post on how I built up motivation to do my own injections!

Since then, I've been in remission a few times, but it came back. I've switched medications to Enbrel (vial, not MyClic) and I had an IV Drip for 3 days in October 2018 for a really bad flare up. I've been feeling okay since then, a few aches here and there but overall I'm doing good! 

Now, sob story over, here's some facts about me! 

• I am a fan of Bring Me the Horizon, Yungblud, My Chemical Romance, Fall Out Boy and more! 
• I love to draw! I draw almost everyday, varying from original characters to fanart.
• I do cosplay! I went to MCM Birmingham in March 2019 as Ciel Phantomhive from Black Butler and I went to MCM Birmingham November 2019 as well, as Klaus Hargreeves from the Umbrella Academy and also Link from the Legend of Zelda.
  
• My favourite TV Shows and anime are: The Walking Dead , Friday Night Dinner (Just because, It's funny!), Big Little Lies, Junji Ito, Attack on Titan, Black Butler, Yuri!!! On Ice, and more!
• And finally, my favourite games!: The Sims, The Legend of Zelda, Super Smash Bros and Animal Crossing. 

So, there's a few facts about me! 

Here are some topics I will be covering. Let me know if there is anything else you will find helpful!

Thank you for reading!

-Caitlyn 💛