Re: I am having trouble remembering who I am

[Guest guest]

I was just thinking the same thing over the weekend. I look in the

mirror and don't recognize myself. I look at clothes I once wore and

remember going out dancing. My life now is taking my kids to school

and doing domestic stuff. I went to a baby shower over the weekend

and realized it was the first time I talked with friends without the

kids around in a long time. I don't want to work at this time since

the pain and mental fog are so severe but feel like this life must

just be a stage. I get nervous that this is not a stage and is the

rest of my life. I just turned 33 and it was one year ago that my

symptoms first appeared. I feel at least 10 years older. It is sad

when I have to ask my mother to open a jar for me. Every once in

awhile I wake up more positive and not in pain. I always hope this

will be the road to my recovery. I am in a much better place than I

was 6 months ago so I don't want to complain. But it is still hard.

>

> Hello,

>

> It is hard to write this but I really need a reality check today.

It was less than a year ago that I

> was someone other than who I am now. I had a job loaded with

responsibility, a busy social

> life and I actually enjoyed juggling everything that made up each

day. Now I awake

> wondering how I am going to feel each day and I slowly plod through

each hour. I just went

> through some photo albums and looking at pictures of myself and I

thought, " I knew that

> lady. Where did she go? "

>

> How have you each of you handled this? How do I get back to being

ME?

>

> Thanks for listening!

> Pat

>

[Guest guest]

Ladies, Don't let the RA rule you. You can still dance, maybe not all night,

maybe just a dance or two, but you still can do it. You may not be able to

run, but you can walk your run route and enjoy it even more as you will not

be speeding through it ! You can still wear those clothes, put them on,

feel pretty ! YOU RULE THE RA IT DOES NOT RULE YOU!!!!!! Sure there are

limitations yes, but it is not a death sentence! Yes there are bad days, but

with meds, those bad days are bearable and you will feel better if you get

up and move, I understand the depression that is associated with this

disease, I have been Dx'd two years now, but ya know, I am determined to

rule over it! So if I want to dance I will! If your doctor can not help you

lead as normal life as possible , find one who can, be proactive for

yourself, no one else will be !!! I know some of you are worse off then me,

seds in the 300's , my highest is 55, so that is not much inflammation

compared to some of you, but with meds, you can defeat this, I know you can!

Have faith in yourself! I know you can beat this and enjoy that dance

and walk too !!!

Debbie A

Have a great day !

-- [ ] Re: I am having trouble remembering who I am

I was just thinking the same thing over the weekend. I look in the

mirror and don't recognize myself. I look at clothes I once wore and

remember going out dancing. My life now is taking my kids to school

and doing domestic stuff. I went to a baby shower over the weekend

and realized it was the first time I talked with friends without the

kids around in a long time. I don't want to work at this time since

the pain and mental fog are so severe but feel like this life must

just be a stage. I get nervous that this is not a stage and is the

rest of my life. I just turned 33 and it was one year ago that my

symptoms first appeared. I feel at least 10 years older. It is sad

when I have to ask my mother to open a jar for me. Every once in

awhile I wake up more positive and not in pain. I always hope this

will be the road to my recovery. I am in a much better place than I

was 6 months ago so I don't want to complain. But it is still hard.

>

> Hello,

>

> It is hard to write this but I really need a reality check today.

It was less than a year ago that I

> was someone other than who I am now. I had a job loaded with

responsibility, a busy social

> life and I actually enjoyed juggling everything that made up each

day. Now I awake

> wondering how I am going to feel each day and I slowly plod through

each hour. I just went

> through some photo albums and looking at pictures of myself and I

thought, " I knew that

> lady. Where did she go? "

>

> How have you each of you handled this? How do I get back to being

ME?

>

> Thanks for listening!

> Pat

>

[Guest guest]

Pat,

I can empathize with you soooo much.It sucks, doesn't it? I went through an

identity crisis of sort when I had to leave a career as a banker in 1998 after

back surgery. (Surgery was successful, recovery SUCKED!) Ten years ago I worked

from 8-5, had 2 small kids, a husband who traveled and man oh man! SERIOUS

" Superwoman " complex here. I was serious Type A personality. All of that changed

in ONE DAY and I haven't been the same person since. I am going through

something similar now with RA. In fact, I did just last week when I stopped

taking my pain medication! BIG BIG BIG mistake.

Pat, I am speaking to you from the heart and from experience.... You can't look

back at those days and want to be " that person " . This will only hold you back

from becoming the best person you are currently capable of being. It messes with

your head...It really does! It makes you question everything in the past,

present, and future.

I started seeing a therapist about 7 months after my surgery and it has helped

me tremendously. I still see him. He has helped me more than any pain

medication. I am going through something similar now but not as drastic. Seeing

a therapist helps me COPE. Helps keeping my coping skills brushed up.... That,

and my anti-depressant. :-) I have learned to look at EVERYTHING differently.

Sometimes my positive attitude tick people off however when you wake up one

morning and can't walk, you become VERY THANKFUL for those days when you can!

Here is a BIG HUG (((((((((HUG))))))))) for you. Things will get better. I

promise!

©x© Kami ©x©

[ ] I am having trouble remembering who I am

Hello,

It is hard to write this but I really need a reality check today. It was less

than a year ago that I

was someone other than who I am now. I had a job loaded with responsibility, a

busy social

life and I actually enjoyed juggling everything that made up each day. Now I

awake

wondering how I am going to feel each day and I slowly plod through each hour.

I just went

through some photo albums and looking at pictures of myself and I thought, " I

knew that

lady. Where did she go? "

How have you each of you handled this? How do I get back to being ME?

Thanks for listening!

Pat

.

[Guest guest]

I haven't been who I used to be since I was 29 and now

at 36 after much work, I have realized that I am still

me only better! Illness is a great teacher, and a

great reality check. It makes you a stronger person.

It allows you to have the time to take time to smell

the roses as they say. It allows one to be a more

caring and compassionate person. The most important

thing it has taught me is to keep taking better care

of myself everyday:)

--- bitsysguest <pmandell@...> wrote:

> Hello,

>

> It is hard to write this but I really need a reality

> check today. It was less than a year ago that I

> was someone other than who I am now. I had a job

> loaded with responsibility, a busy social

> life and I actually enjoyed juggling everything that

> made up each day. Now I awake

> wondering how I am going to feel each day and I

> slowly plod through each hour. I just went

> through some photo albums and looking at pictures of

> myself and I thought, " I knew that

> lady. Where did she go? "

>

> How have you each of you handled this? How do I get

> back to being ME?

>

> Thanks for listening!

> Pat

>

>

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

Looking for last minute shopping deals?

Find them fast with Search.

http://tools.search./newsearch/category.php?category=shopping

[Guest guest]

Dear Pat, My name is I was diagnosed with RA about 8 years ago, I am now

48 years old, the disease is progressing and has caused me alot of problems

because of all the meds I have been on. I now have an adrenaline problem because

of years of prednisone, steriod treatments. I have been on Enbrel, take mobic,

MTX, folic acid, & vicoden. Some days are better then others, read the side

effects of any drugs you are taking, I recently started suffering from

depression and found out that it was from the medicine I am on for the

adrenaline problem, needless to say I can not come off that drug. Or I will end

up having a heart attack. So much for my depressing state. I can tell you RA

changes you. And you have to take in consideration that it will take longer to

get up and get moving in the morning. So compensate your time. As far as unable

to do certain things, that happens, opening jars, I have to ask people to open

up a pop bottle sometimes. I can tell you that exercise and

staying active helps alot. And it will make you feel better and help clear the

fog. This group is also a wonderful group for support. Gena is excellent, and

finds the information, that is so important to us all. Jean

bitsysguest <pmandell@...> wrote: Hello,

It is hard to write this but I really need a reality check today. It was less

than a year ago that I

was someone other than who I am now. I had a job loaded with responsibility, a

busy social

life and I actually enjoyed juggling everything that made up each day. Now I

awake

wondering how I am going to feel each day and I slowly plod through each hour. I

just went

through some photo albums and looking at pictures of myself and I thought, " I

knew that

lady. Where did she go? "

How have you each of you handled this? How do I get back to being ME?

Thanks for listening!

Pat