Hollywood fashion and style guru, Christine Schwab, hid her Rheumatoid Arthritis. Now she wants to spotlight it.
In 1990 Ms. Schwab was 43-year old and her feet hurt her. Sure it could have been the five-inch heels she wore but the pain didn’t go away when she took off her shoes and she was tired. She was diagnosed that same year.
She kept it a secret in spite of thinning hair due to her medications. Prednisone caused weight gain. Like many she was in denial at first in spite of her symptoms and diagnosis.
In 1997 after participating in a clinical study, she was put on the prescription medicine, Embrel – before FDA approve. That was her turning point because she felt almost immediately better.
Christine wrote a memoir called Take Me Home from the Oscars: Arthritis, Television, and Fashion. She took back her life, doesn’t wear heels and lost weight. She takes a bone-building drug, extra calcium, and vitamin D.
Christine takes Pilates, does cardio-vascular work, and walks. She is now in her early 60s and her mission is to use her fame to help arthritis research and change the way people think about arthritis.
Celebrity Autoimmune Series:
Crystal Bowersox (American Idol)
Nina Rawls (Lou Rawls)
Casey Abrams (American Idol)
Missy Elliott (Singer)
Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel
Bret Michaels (Rocker)
Jay Cutler (Football)
Seamus Mullen (Chef)
President George and Mrs. Barbara Bush
Bernie Mac (Comic)
Lady Gaga (Singer)
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