To Dennis

[Guest guest]

Hi Dennis,

I am happy that you were with a good doctor and got a quick

diagnosis. Just awful that you got a slow doctor. I had a similar

experience and finally had to change doctors.

You are very funny. Humor is the very best medicine. Thanks

for the laugh " doc " .

Hugs,

Pat

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,

I have RA, Fibro, AS, Sycope, Pace maker, and Glocoma, There are

Days I dont feel like getting out of Day more less doing things

around the house! Tom always helped with the Kids but after the all

got grown the house was all mine to do. He would get up set if I did

not get any thing done. We would have words and he would end up doing

it!

When I started to have trouble with my heart I went to the Dr and

my girl friend went with me He came along just because she was going.

I had to have a lot of test done we came to fine out I had Sycope

(My Heart Stops) The Dr Told him I have to Rest if I say I dont feel

good I dont Feel good! it was a Big Eye opener for him When I had to

go have a Pace maker put in! Kitt I no how you feel I still would

like a Big Hug something and tell me it is ok, but it is nice to no

he does under stand a little more now! I have been On Embrel for over

a year now! and it does help with the pain but I am still tired a

lot. wish one Pill are shot would do it all but that would be to much

to ask for! Sue

> >

> > I think most of us have dealt with " it's all in your head " . My

> own wife had

> > that attitude for a long time because she couldn't see any

> physical

> > difference. My older sister still says that to me after 17 years

> of

> > suffering the same fate as our mother, and she still thinks 'it's

> all in our

> > heads' even after her own daughter was suffering Fibro and some

> RA, and was

> > found dead one morning with a needle in her arm.

> >

> > It takes time and some cooperation for the family unit to succeed

> is

> > handling the effects of RA on the family. Sometimes it never

> happens and the

> > family is broken up simply because you can't do the things you

did

> before

> > 'for no obvious' reason. I was lucky because we have been married

> since 1964

> > and are still on our honeymoon. I hope you and Kitt and the rest

> with this

> > family problem have the same luck as I.

> >

> > Dennis in Eastexas

> > " It's not Rocket Surgery "

> >

> > [ ] Hi...I am new here. I was just diagnosed

> with R.A.

> >

> >

> > > Hi,

> > > I am 34 years old and just found out last week that I have R.A.

> > > I am having a hard time with it. My Family Doc...took two

weeks

> to get

> > > my blood work back....

> > > I feel like crap and everyone thinks I am crazy. I am fine

> some days

> > > and others I wake up and can not walk.

> > > My husband thinks it is all in my head, blames me being

> overweight, and

> > > for drinking Coke and says that it what is causing my pain.

> > > I had my first appointment with a Rheumatoligist and felt much

> better

> > > when I talked to him. I am on 800 mg of Advil and some days

feel

> > > better.

> > > My pain started in sept, and was in my shoulders. Now my knees

> are the

> > > worst and my toes.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Kitt,

I'm so sorry your situation has become unbearable. Dennis is right

to suggest a " vacation " either alone or with someone supportive, or

at least neutral enough to let you

be. I left my partner shortly after my DX (it was a yr before they

knew what was wrong) because of the very same things you mention. I

was fortunate enough to enter into

a wonderfully supportive relationship and my RA became instantly

better, no kidding, the stress was really taking it's toll on my body.

I think our spouses get accustomed to our being healthy, we all get

lazy and dependent on others to take care of us and their needs too.

The real

test is when that " till death do us part " comes along and challenges

us to put our selfish nature in the backseat. Sometimes we find that

not everyone is up for the

challenge. That realization is very difficult and heart-breaking.

peace and love to you,

River