Pain...Pain....And More Pain!!!!!

I am so sorry to hear that you are in so much pain and barely getting sleep.  It is so frustrating isn't it?  I too have problems with sleep and have pain everyday.  How you ever thought about getting a referral to a pain management doctor?  Once my rheumatologist realized he was no longer able to treat my pain he referred me to a pain specialist.  My pain specialist has come up with a long term treatment plan for me.  And although my pain isn't gone, I am now better able to do a little more of the things I need to accomplish on a daily basis.  If you are not scared to try pain management you might talk to your rheumatologist about a referral and if that would better help manage your pain.  I wish you look on your journey with rheumatoid arthritis, as well as soom relief!  Good luck and best wishes!

My heart goes out to you! I understand all you are going though. It will get better, it just has to and that is what I tell myself everyday...

I also have Fibromyalgia , but I do not take anything for it. When I did it made my mouth swell. It seems the RA has taken center stage for me. The good news is I feel better today! So since I feel good today I am doing the wash! but I will not carry it up the steps. I am not going to push myself and then pay for it later. I have PT tomorrow and I want to be able to do more then I did the last time. I feel the mexth is helping me. I hope my blood work comes back  good.That is my bigest fear that the blood work will show it is hurting my liver, and they have to take me off of it. I do not want to be back to sitting on the sofa just crying in so much pain.. I feel I am walking better, my kids do not. LOL.

I know how it feels to watch as your home seems to fall down around you. I know it is SO hard to not do as you did before! Please know that better days are coming! Do little things each day then rest as much as you can.

 My sleeping pill my RA doc gave me works pretty well. i do get up at night but I am able to get back to sleep. I have had the worse Knees and elbow pain. The other night I was pulling my hair because the pain in my knees was so bad! Doesnt it seem like you take a step forward then a step back? One more thing I have learned is take one day at a time... Knowng we are not alone in this helps too..

You just hang in there. i know you are going nuts not being able to keep your house the way you did , but I find that if I do One little thing at a time then go rest I can get a few things done. The hardest things are folding the wash! My finger hurt so bad to do that so my PT showed me ways to fold it to help that. Forget folding sheets! also pulling things right side in!

As for the weight gain I am right there with you! I can not take walks cause I am in pain, I asked about riding a bike and my doctor laughed.. and said NO.. Not right now no way! I said to my PT how about Yoga? he said once you are down on the ground can you get up? well No but..... well no he said... So how is it that you lose this weight? If anyone knows please share... I am going to have the kids set up our pool and even if I was in it for 20 mins a day walking around in it. As long as I cover up and have on tons of sunscreen I am go to go!

Remember, one day at a time :)

hugs

sue

Hi Phyliss, I've had RA for 8 years and began to experience sleep problems about a year ago. Have you asked your dr about giving you something to help you sleep? I also have a heart problem and my cardiologist said I needed to rest and sleep. That it agrivated my heart not to sleep. So he gave me Ambien. It has really helped and I also find that if I sleep my RA is not as bad. It still hurts and  I have pain every day, but at least I'm not as tired. I only need two naps a day now. Life has really changed in the last 8 years as I'm sure you know. I agree that this is a great site and that we really do need to express our feelings to those who understand what we're feeling. Hope you're having a better day today.                                                                                                   

Regards,                                                                                                           

Evei.