Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Hi Mandy !  I just wanted you to be aware that there are no rheumatologists in the country of Belize.  I have been diagnosed with RA, and I have to go to Merida MX every six weeks to see an RA specialist.
Be aware of this while you're choosing your location.  You'll have to fly from the Belize City airport (BZE) to see a doctor in MX.
Jane

Yes, I am aware of that.  I am currently attempting to live without the chemical concoctions currently found in US Medical Facilities such as Chemo and Biologics.  What type of therapy are you receiving in Meridia? Does the low cost of living out way the trouble of traveling?  If you drove would a road trip be safe and less consuming...Most important here every time the seasons change I'm in agony but in the summer I'm in heaven.  Do you experience any weather related troubles?  What demographics are you currently living in?  I have tons of questions I know.  I have found lots of information about living with RA in Yucatan but also imagine the high and lows of the temperatures would cause issues for me, but not so much about living with RA in Belize true, but the temperature appear not to fluctuate so much in Northern Belize.  I am very hopeful that I can live with this and manage it with herbs, diet, beautify weather and slow living? I would move to Arizona but the cost of living is high and the hustle and bustle, and pretentious living all exhaust me..  been there, done that.. Am I delusional...do you think:).   Would it be difficult for me to find someone who would work for me to help with my children and healthcare? I want to trade lots of stuff for relaxed life with a little bit of help.  Again, so many Questions, thank you so much for your time.

mandy

Hi! I don't know much about your situation, but I want to offer a few things. Throughout the country, temperatures do not vary much at all. I would say this is most true in the south. It never really goes under 60 here where we are, and it rarely gets above 95. I live in Monkey River, which is just south of Placencia. However, humidity probably varies more in the south, so if that's a factor... I don't know how much herbal research you have done, and I don't want to be insulting, but if you haven't already, check out rainforest remedies. Ms. Rosita studied with Don Elejio who was a Mayan shaman, and she learned a ton about plants of this area. She has a line of remedies, and I'm sure she'd have something to say about RA. Herbal remedies are far more accepted here, and you will find many Belizeans who know a lot about healing properties of plants, so if you're open to that, you may find good solutions here. I don't want to say that could or should replace medical help, but there are options available.
As far as help with kids, you can find an abundance of that here. There is a school in Placencia called the Placencia International Academy if you are interested in being in the south.
Hope that helps, and I hope Belize brings healing for you.

Perfect Mrs. Rosita is exactly what I am looking forward to and what I have adhered my life principles by.  I just need to slow down and rest.   Your reply was very helpful.  Thank you so much.  I hope to meet one day soon on the south side:)..

Mandy

You are so welcome. Would love to get together. The expat life is not always easy, but there are lots of benefits to living here.

Don't come to Belize. Live there for a year with arthritis.   Was the worst year of my life.  Too expensive for low quality.  Expats are snobby.  Non-profits lie.

Sorry for your experience Harleyman.  Different areas often give  very different experiences. I have an elderly friend who spends from November to April every year in his home near San Ignatio in western Belize. He has apalling arthritis but he claims the time in Belize is when he is in the best of health and his pain levels drop to a fraction of the levels the rest of the year. He's been coming here for 20 years and believes that easing his symptoms for nearly half the year is why he is still mobile. He does not seem to have too much trouble with the hills and poor roads while here.

Some expats are snobby. Not all.