Venting Frustrations

[Guest guest]

Hi all-

I just got back from PT and I guess I need to vent a bit. No matter how

long I have had RA and no matter how many flares, I always have trouble

with the fact that I look fine on the outside. I am in a pretty bad

state right now- lots of pain and fatigue, but I am not having any

swelling of the joints (except fingers and toes at night) so there are

no obvious visual symptoms. My last flare was like this also and it

lasted three months! So anyway- I had my first pool physical therapy

today and I could hardly do 15 minutes!! I started hurting, and got

really sick to my stomach. I just feel so self conscious about the fact

that I look just fine, but I am still really sick. I guess I get

nervous that people think I am just lazy or something. But I know

that's not true and I shouldn't care what they think- but it still bugs

me. Anyway- thanks for letting me vent.-

[Guest guest]

I just feel so self conscious about the fact

> that I look just fine, but I am still really sick

Awwww, , now just go read through some medical journal articles on RA

if you need some convincing that you can look good and still be very

sick?!--not just RA but there are other invisible disabilities. RA will

show you all on it's own if you let other people's opinions lead you into

overdoing it, and guess what, you will end up looking sick also if you fall

into that trap for too long. Hey, at least we can get some solace from

looking good even if we feel like something the cat dragged in, can't we?

; )

Keep on keeping on at the pace that works for you, kiddo, and don't give a

hang what others think about it and you will do fine. Just say to yourself,

why should I value the opinions of any others that are wont to be

judgemental without the facts? {{{{{{{{{{}}}}}}}}}} Big hugs to

you...and I mean it, DON'Toverdo it. I did that unintentionally with a swim

class because it was so easy to move in the water I did not realize I was

overdoing it...and went into an AWFUL flare. I don't want to hear you

saying you did this also, especially not because some gossip-lovers threw

you a dirty look. Take care, get your exercise, but in baby steps, and

don't forget to rest, rest, rest too so your body can heal itself. Liz G.

[Guest guest]

,

I am sorry that you feel like this, I know I have been there. The people at the last church we were at just couldn't get it. They thought well we prayed over her so she is better but I wasn't. Some would instead of saying how are you doing to day they would say you look like you are doing really great. I didn't tell them I was in unbearable pain and felt like I might pass out at any minute I just smiled... I did began to allow myself to become bitter over this, I tried to explain it to them but you know people have to really want to and care to listen. These people did not so when I went to church my pat answer should someone ask was I am ok. That meant I was able to get out of bed this morning and I am at church.

Now in the new church these people really do care and they can tell when I am having a bad day and they bring it up!!!

I tried to act like I had before but these people really care and they want to know more than I want to go into right now. They know I am going though test for MS and they have been so supportive and loving such a difference!!!

Now I realize that the other people who I let get to me were not worth it that I had to make it though the best I can and I will but now I have more support. I knew Sunday that if my husband told them the condition I was in that they would want to come over but I told him that I could not handle anyone. I was not able to walk on my own my entire left side was numb and on and off parts of my right side mainly my leg.

Anyway I have been there do what you know you can do, I also use to do water aerobics and found that very helpful!!

Peace and a big Hug!!

Sherry

Hi all-I just got back from PT and I guess I need to vent a bit. No matter how long I have had RA and no matter how many flares, I always have trouble with the fact that I look fine on the outside. I am in a pretty bad state right now- lots of pain and fatigue, but I am not having any swelling of the joints (except fingers and toes at night) so there are no obvious visual symptoms. My last flare was like this also and it lasted three months! So anyway- I had my first pool physical therapy today and I could hardly do 15 minutes!! I started hurting, and got really sick to my stomach. I just feel so self conscious about the fact that I look just fine, but I am still really sick. I guess I get nervous that people think I am just lazy or something. But I know that's not true and I shouldn't care what they think- but it still bugs me. Anyway- thanks for letting me vent.-To unsubscribe, email: rheumatic-unsubscribeegroups

[Guest guest]

Hi-

First of all- thanks to all who responded to my first vent. I

really appreciate all of the support and it really helps. Now on to the

next rant!

I just got in to finally see my real rheumatologist for the first

time after being in this flare almost two months! And I just want to

ask- why do they get paid so much to tell me what I already know- or

even less than what I already know? Arghhhhh!!

She heard me out and looked me over and pretty much concluded that

I just have to ride this out and if I get any swelling I need to see

her because that would possibly mean joint damage. Then she would take

action. Well, duh.....I already knew that. So she sent me home with a

sheet that says- " try to get a little exercise everyday " and that was

that. I brought her a copy of the protocol and she said she'd look at

it. I'm wondering if I need to ask for any specific tests or which lab

results I can look at- I just want to get some sort of medical grasp on

what is going on in my body.I know that sometimes the tests don't even

show anything- but it would be nice to see. Any advice on this would be

appreciated. I know that it must be working though because I am not

depressed like I have been in other plares, and I get small windows of

time when I feel ok. That's better than it was, though I am still very

sick.

So, I'll just keep plugging along, being patient for the Mino to

do it's job and in the meantime keep researching, and keep doing what I

can. I am thinking about seeing a naturopath. Any advice? I am

scheduled to ee a dietitian, but if they just throw the food pyramid

at me I think I'll vomit. Anywway- thanks for listening, and take care!

Hugs-