Re: Thank you.....

[Guest guest]

Hi Jenn,

I was just thinking the other day. I can't remember what it is like to kneel

or crouch down. My knees were the first joints affected. I don't remember

what it feels like to run with my son playing around. Or crawling on the

floor with him. Or climbing the jungle gym with him. Etc., etc., etc. No,

I can't remember what many things were like before, but I try real hard to

make good, lasting memories of today.

Stacey in PA

[Guest guest]

Jenn,

Yes, I remember life before RA even though it was more than 20 years ago.

Some days they make me really angry that so much has been taken away,

and other days they make me smile because I had more than 20 healthy years.

I hope you always can laugh more than cry. Yes I get pain in my spine between

my shoulder blades, but only when I push myself or am on my feet to long.

Mine isn't as severe as yours sounds. Please mention it to your doctor.

Have you had x-rays? Is there any way you can switch to a different position

so that you can sit more? It's got to be very difficult to work while in so

much

pain. I hope you feel better.

hugs,

a

[ ] Thank you.....

I want to thank everyone that has responded to my posts. It helps to

know that others care. I'm going to try and get better at answering

and responding as I want you all to know that I care about you also.

Quick question: I have been experiencing severe back pain lately

with this flare. Sometimes it's my lower back but most recently it's

been the area of my spine directly between my shoulder blades. It

makes it really hard to move or stretch at all. Does anyone else

experience this kind of pain?

In responce to one of my replies: Sometimes getting fired is my

biggest fear but other times I wonder if it will be a blessing. I

still am able to do my job but some days it feels like it will be the

death of me. I'd like to find another job where I would be able to

sit more (instead of not at all) but b/c of my current job I can

barely get out of bed on my day off. There is also the issue of

insurance and pre-existing conditions. Why does this thing often

feel like a no win situation.

Oh well...I still manage to laugh more than I cry which is a good

thing. I also still have hope that the right med will make all the

difference in the world. Even though I've only been sick since Oct.

2001 I still find it hard to remember life before this disease. Do

any of you feel this way too? There seems to be no such thing as

a " normal " day anymore. Now I just pray for a " good " RA day.

As always thanks for listening and I pray that you all are still able

to keep laughing and hoping. Take care.

Jenn in SW FL