Coping, and the Yo-Yo Effect

Hello, everyone. I'm relatively new here- just signed up about 3 weeks ago. I was diagnosed with RA in July, and am taking Plaquenil, which doesn't seem to be helping much. Just when I think it's helping on a good day, the next day is back to hurting all over.

I went to my yearly work Christmas party a couple of weeks ago, and being tipsy and not feeling much, danced to 2 songs. I had to sit down halfway between both because my hip and ankles were hurting. Well, the next 2 days my hip was in so much pain- just from 2 songs! I remember when I used to go out twice a week and dance all night.

Last Saturday was an amazing day. For the first time in a very long time, I had absolutely no fatigue and nothing hurt. It's like I couldn't believe there was anything wrong with me. So, I took the opportunity to walk around the grocery store, carry groceries, and even shovel snow. Well, the very next day I was in such pain I felt like I got run over by a truck. Everything hurt- shoulders, wrists, hips, knees, and ankles.

Every time I look in my closet I struggle with the decision whether or not to get rid of my heels. It's as though I'm waiting for some miracle day when I can wear them again.

How do you cope with giving up your "old life", and not want to do as much as you can when you can, instead of learning how to take it easy? I feel as though, if my future is going to be painful and crippling, I want to at least enjoy my good days now when I can, before I don't have any good days left. But invariably, I end up suffering the next day.

Any stories to share about how you cope, or stupid things you've done that you've paid for painfully afterward?

I guess I'm just still trying to digest the reality of having a chronic condition that I can't just take a pill for and make it go away. I'll never have the energy or physical ability that I used to, and I'm grieving that. I'm only 34, and I don't want to feel old yet!

Thoughts?