Help Kit Seek Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment

Kia Ora and Howdy! My name is Kit and I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at the age of 24. RA is an auto immune disease that causes chronic pain due to inflammation of the joints.

Due to lack of medical insurance, I couldn't keep up treatment of my disease in the US. I have gone nearly five years without proper treatment, only using over the counter pain medication as minor comfort.

Luckily, during that time my RA was pretty dormant. However, in the past months I have been flaring pretty badly. There are many signs that the disease is progressing and my daily pain levels are intolerable on most days.

I now live in NZ but I am not a resident yet, so I am not covered by the national health care system. This makes seeking treatment very unattainable at the moment.

To see a GP cost me $80 per visit and the prescription anti inflammatory medications I've been prescribed cost $50 a month. This doesn't take into account costs such as mobility aids and other treatments associated with RA.

I need to see a new doctor/specialist and get proper medications to treat this aggressive disease.

My chronic pain limits my ability to work full-time. I currently cannot work because my visa is in the process of being renewed.

Long story short; I desperately need help to get treatment so I can be well enough to find a job and support myself again.

Absolutely anything helps!! I understand that money is tight for a lot of folks right now but if you could share this, it would mean a lot.

Thanks!!