Re: Questions on managing RA

[Guest guest]

Hi Meg,

I am no expert, since all of this has been less than a year. But I

was to the point that at work I *did* lay with my head on the desk

many days. As soon as we could we hired someone to be there, and I

was able to stay home more. Now that I don't have to go in, I can't

believe I did it all that time. I still work when possible but it is

only a few hours a week, from home, and I am on disability. I can

still function but when I used to be able to do, say, 40 things in a

day, now I can do one or two...

I am in far less pain and although still tired, its not that bone-deep

totally drained cannot think or move sort of thing.

I believe that stress made my autoimmune diseases far worse. In my

case, in 2006 my husband had cancer and surgery and radiation

treatment and chemotherapy... the next year, I 'broke' and (although I

functioned with a fibromyalgia dx of many years before) suddenly

couldn't function at all, in extreme pain and exhaustion... I think

some of my recovery is due to medications that are helping, but to

tell the truth I think the major reason is that I am no longer pushing

myself mercilessly. And I personally think that if I hadn't been

through that extraordinarily stressful year, I could have continued to

function much longer, if not forever. So I think there is real danger

in pushing too hard, ignoring stress, and trying to keep going when it

is not advised. I wish I hadn't, now.

Best wishes!

laurel

>

> Hi all! It seems that lately that I've been extremely exhausted. I've

> developed rashes, and other lovely details best left unsaid. I'm

> wonding if it would be better to take some time off, or should I

> continue to work? Work has been very stressful at this time due to

[Guest guest]

It's funny you mention that because this morning I am calling HR to

ask about an extended medical leave. I have been on this particular

job a year full-time and my hands have become more deformed at warp

speed. I am on NO meds at all unless you count Aleve. I was last

on the Oriencia which stopped after just 6 months. It worked long

enough for me to get the job but not long enough for me to do the

job. So since the new developments with pleurisy, swollen lymph

nodes, more testing is also needed I have decided to go without the

money and take a leave of absence. I will see if there is anything

I can do from home. It's a tough decision because bills still have

to be paid, medical bills are pouring in, especially with new issues

and they are extremely pricey even with insurance. However, I hate

looking not being reliable having to call out so often.

So yeah I feel it is okay to take a break if you are able to and

maybe even if you are not able to. People will just have to accept

it whether they want to or not.

Enbrel was the only medication that gave me an energy boost for the

9 months it worked, that and the dreaded medrol-steroids. However,

both were temporary. I wish I knew a longterm solution. i take

multivitamins and hope that it is helping. Sometimes it feels like

its helpling.

hopefully you feel some relief from the exhaustion soon.

Ebony

>

> Hi all! It seems that lately that I've been extremely exhausted.

I've

> developed rashes, and other lovely details best left unsaid. I'm

> wonding if it would be better to take some time off, or should I

> continue to work? Work has been very stressful at this time due

to the

> nature of the work (normal stuff, just an intense period). Has

anyone

> else been able to " work through the pain " and come out OK? Is

this

> a " flare " ? Should I notify my Doc? I'm not used to not being

able to

> do anything, but when I get to work in the morning, all I want to

do is

> put my head on my desk and take a nap. I've found myself watching

more

> TV, but not really paying attention - kind of in a daze. I'm

really

> type A and this is driving me crazy! I wish I could get a

prescription

> for a hot tub too. Wouldn't it be lovely to just sit in a hot tub

and

> let all the heat soak in and soak all the aches out?

>

> Meg in MO

>

[Guest guest]

I'm the same way, a Type A personality, and with my recent diagnosis

of RA I've been going crazy! I think to start off with, finding a

medication or combination of meds is important. Try a yoga class. Now

remember that you can't do all the poses the rest of the class is

doing, but take that oppourtunity to take deep breaths and some

gentle stretching.

As for work, the more you push it the more damage you'll cause.

Listen to your body. Perhaps you don't have to give up work all

together but work only part time. If you have a desk job, be sure to

stand up for a few minutes every few hours. I find that I'm more

tired and hurt more by the time I get home if I didn't get up from my

desk.

I hope this helps!

Jan from WA

> >

> > Hi all! It seems that lately that I've been extremely

exhausted.

> I've

> > developed rashes, and other lovely details best left unsaid. I'm

> > wonding if it would be better to take some time off, or should I

> > continue to work? Work has been very stressful at this time due

> to the

> > nature of the work (normal stuff, just an intense period). Has

> anyone

> > else been able to " work through the pain " and come out OK? Is

> this

> > a " flare " ? Should I notify my Doc? I'm not used to not being

> able to

> > do anything, but when I get to work in the morning, all I want to

> do is

> > put my head on my desk and take a nap. I've found myself

watching

> more

> > TV, but not really paying attention - kind of in a daze. I'm

> really

> > type A and this is driving me crazy! I wish I could get a

> prescription

> > for a hot tub too. Wouldn't it be lovely to just sit in a hot

tub

> and

> > let all the heat soak in and soak all the aches out?

> >

> > Meg in MO

> >

>