Tuesday, October 07, 2008
I too live with RA - 10 years since my diagnosis in May of 1998. I can so sympathize with you. I have 2 part-time jobs. I just lost my full-time job w/ benefits. My husband and kids do virtually nothing to help. I am exhausted when I finally get home. My house is a disaster and I have no pep to do anything about it. I get the dogs and cats fed. Beyond that, I get my clothes washed slowly and fill up the dishwasher occasionally. I don't know what to do to get them to realize what I am going through. Sounds like we are in the same boat! Unfortunately.
That has to be so hard to deal with...my heart goes out to you. I was diagnosed with RA about 7 mos ago. I am a single 50 plus woman. I live alone and struggle with the same things. I am still at my full time job but I am scared. I do not know how much longer I will be able to do this. I dont like my house being a disaster area but if I try to do much at home then I end up exhausted and having to call into work. My right wrist is bothering me alot. Today just picking up a spoon makes me wince in pain. I dont tell them at work that Im in pain. So far the first 3 meds i am taking cut down on the pain(hydroxycloroquin, prednisone, and methotrexate) some but dont eliminate it. I am very scared of what the future holds for me as this thing, this disease seems to be progressing quickly.
I guess all you or I can do is keep on keeping on...do the best we can everyday...and trust God for the future. Mel
Hi, My daughter was diagnosed with RA two years ago. After visiting a naturopath and being treated for Leaky Gut (google it and RA) and taking probiotics and going on a food elimination diet she is now, 3 months later, almost pain free. Her treatment has not quite finished yet. Try it for yourself. Read this which backs up what we have done. http://jhackett_ra.tripod.com/ Be warned that the first day or two of treatment can cause a Herxheimer Reaction and can be quite painful like a bout of flu.
Good Luck!
Annie
Thank-you for your response. I apologize for the extra long delay in response but the computer has been down at home for almost a year. Needless to say, I have tens of thousands of emails. Gulp! How are your doing with your RA? I hope that the docs have found the right cocktail of meds to help control it. I read your post and felt like I was visiting with someone who totally understood. My mom has vasculitis which is inflamation of the blood vessels in her legs and since the nerves run right along those veins, she has a lot of pain. She also has difficulty walking. My dad takes care of her and does so much so we are both lucky. However, she worries about me and I always downplay what is going on with me. I know that she knows but I usually tell her that pain is relevant. She doesn't understand that I have had to learn to ignore it and go on with life or I would just lay in bed whining all the time. I don't have time to feel sorry for myself. I don't have the energy either. Again, thanks for responding. I am working on catching up with emails so if you respond, I will eventually find it. :)