Re: Healthy Mentality

[Guest guest]

When I met my boyfriend back in 2002, I told him on the first date that I had RA. I was totally open and honest. I also said, NO ONE knows what its like to be in my body or in my mind, yet if you can put yourself in my shoes, and see things through my eyes, you might be able to empathize. I told him what one day was like for me with RA. I told him what a flare feels and looks like, what a bad day is for me, and a good day. I also printed out articles about barometric low pressure causing G force (gravity) to effect joints in RA. The denser the gravity, the more pressure per square inch or PSI. I mean the heat will expand wood or concrete, etc or make them shrink and crack in cold weather. The human synovium is very much the same. Low pressure causes undue PSI on our joints. Cold weather can cause us to ache more than flare. I spent 13 hours sleeping after my MTX the other day. I mean I literally slept the day away. It just what happens in this horrible maine weather. Bone chilling cold, with storms coming through every other day. The key point to make with a healthy spouse is this. Print out the articles and make him read one every so often. Go into www.arthritisfoundation.org and find the article that says to rest during a flare, and how weather does affect RA and why. Be active when you feel you can. Its the unpredictability that defies logic and while you can manage RA you cant control it. Accept what you cannot change, and modify what you can when you can. I lift heavy groceries by myself, and laundry too. If I need help, I make him go to the store instead, or tote laundry for me. He is really very good. Happy New Year everyone. Deborah

[Guest guest]

GREAT Deborah!!! And you are so right about the unpredictability being the

biggest

hurdle.