RHEUMATOID
ARTHRITIS:
Karen Parlos
Two years ago, Karen Parlos’ pain was so severe that she
couldn’t climb the stairs in her two-story home.
“For several months my pain was getting worse and worse. I
felt it everywhere – in all my joints and muscles,” the
longtime Pendleton resident says. “When I walked I had to
shuffle my feet. I even had to pick up my grandkids using my
arms because I couldn’t use my hands. It was really hard.”
That’s when she decided to get help. Her primary physician
referred her to Saint John’s Rheumatologist Dr. Kristine
Rea. “I was a little overwhelmed by everything, and Dr. Rea
was very kind and compassionate,” Karen says. “She didn’t
rush me through. She spent a lot of time with me and ran a
lot of tests before she gave me my diagnosis of rheumatoid
arthritis.”
Dr. Rea monitored Karen closely while she worked to find the
combination of medications best for her. Dr. Rea also
advised Karen to slow down, relax more and take better care
of herself.
Karen’s daily routine now includes exercising regularly,
eating healthy and resting when she needs to. She’s found
that home remedies – like taking warm jet baths and sleeping
under an electric blanket – help her feel better, too.
“It’s so important to listen to your doctor’s advice,” Karen
says. “I’ve realized that I have to take care of myself if I
want to want to take care of my grandchildren.”
Karen says while rheumatoid arthritis is a lifelong illness,
she has hope. “You just have to keep going and not give up
on yourself. Keep trying different things, and one day you
are going to feel better.”
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