Rheumatoid Arthritis

[butterfly_warrior]

3, 4, 5, 7 and 11 are the ones that really resonate with me. I always thought I was stark raving mad for not being able to describe where I hurt and how I hurt... until my rheumy, very gently, told me off for having blocked the pain for so long that I could no longer actually be in touch with it. Then, when I found I could describe it to him, I found I was often using contradictory terms to describe the same pain and I thought he'd think of me as a complete fruit loop. But, apparently, it's fairly normal.

Babyjoy, you have really helped me understand myself, my condition and the way it effects me so much better. I'm often not good at verbalising things, so this was immensely helpful. Thank you!

BW

[Babyjoy]

Babyjoy, you have really helped me understand myself, my condition and the way it effects me so much better. I'm often not good at verbalising things, so this was immensely helpful. Thank you!
BW

No problem! I found it resonated with me so much that I sent it to everyone I know so they could understand what I was going through - especially during the worst times when we're first diagnosed and coming to terms with it all.

I have my last day at work today and then have 3 weeks off - hooray!! This time next week, I'll be on Daydream Island!

[RachelAlexAndSam]

Hi ladies. I was actually talking to my husband this morning about how I was feeling during a flare and trying to describe it to him. I think I might print your list out Babyjoy and put it on the fridge for him to look at. Number 7 is so true for me. Just getting off the couch can be a major thing for me and I will put off getting a drink of water, or going to the toilet because I know it's going to hurt so much when I try and get up. I often look at other people and wonder if they realise how lucky they are to be walking around at a normal pace or carrying bags, or all those things you take for granted. I am sometimes so completely absorbed in this disease it occupies all my thoughts!!

Oh and the glucosamine!!!!! The naturopath I went to see actually gave me glucosamine and that's what really turned me away from her. I had only been recently diagnosed but even I knew it was useless for RA.

So it's been 2 days of absolutely no breastfeeding and I am like Pamela Anderson on steroids. Looks great, but so incredibly painful! What a waste.......Had a big chat with some friends who commented that I was walking around so much better and seemed much happier. Makes me realise that i made the right decision. I am definitely a better mum with less pain. I have just had a really lovely evening with my 3 year old girl Alex, eating pizza and watching Funniest Home Videos (wouldn't normally watch it of course!) while my husband is at a Christmas Party. A few weeks ago I would have been doing my best to get her into bed early so I could collapse (literally) on the couch and do nothing. Huge improvement.

Babyjoy, have a great holiday on Daydream. Pamper yourself with a massage or 2!

BW, my sister-in-law got the "just relax" one all the time. When people say that, it just really highlights that they have no idea what you're going through. If they did, they would realise that trying to be relaxed about something like that is difficult, but made even harder when someone tells you to relax. Useless advice really....

I'm off to bed. Sweet dreams everyone.

Rachel

[Babyjoy]

Hello everyone... it's been a while but I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and New Year break.
I've just popped back on the forum because ... well... I'm feeling sorry for myself. My RA is flaring up again in my hands, knees and ankles, and it's made me depressed. I need something (or someone) to shake me out of the doldrums. One of my New Year resolutions this year was to not work so hard. I worked two jobs last year (as well as trying to be a great mum and wife) and I nearly burnt out. So this year I need to take it easy as we're TTC and I don't want any extra stress to cause me to have more RA problems. But here I am, only a few weeks back at work and I'm feeling so tense again!

I have been wondering how you other ladies with RA are coping... it really helps to talk to others in the same situation.