Re: What exactly is normal?

[Guest guest]

That is a great question. I dont think there is a normal. I hope I'm wrong. Ive

only had RA for a little over a year and just a month ago finally went and had

something done about it. I am feeling a little better but nowhere near normal.

From: ktandtm <ktandtm@...>

Subject: [ ] What exactly is normal?

Date: Wednesday, August 27, 2008, 5:16 PM

Ok I know a lot of you have been around for a long time so I wanted to

ask you all this question. Has any of your docs said how we are

suppose to feel? What I mean is are we supppose to be able to become

pain free? I know we are all different but I guess what I am trying to

ask is how do you know what is normal to accept and when should we be

asking for more meds? I just don't know if my pain and flares are

normal or if I should have better control. Does any of this make

sense? I hope so. I guess for a long time I have been going with the

flow but now it looks as though I am going to start another med and I

really hate to because its hard to know what to do.

Thanks for listening,

[Guest guest]

,

I was asking the same thing....about being normal. I feel like it's

so out of my control...no rhyme or reason to the flare ups. I make

my list of questions for the doctor and though I like him, he shrugs

it off. I don't know if it's a side effect or something totally

unrelated to RA. I still have two boys (age 10 and 12) and I had an

active life (I even coached soccer) and basicly my life has shut

down. My doctor did say his hope was to get me back to normal but in

the same sentence he said I will have this for the rest of my life

and will have to be on medicine. I 'm trying to deal with that part

but still wondering about the normalcy of it. I'm a newbie too so I

understand all the emothions and thoughts going thru your head. Good

Luck...PRS

>

> From: ktandtm <ktandtm@...>

> Subject: [ ] What exactly is normal?

>

> Date: Wednesday, August 27, 2008, 5:16 PM

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> Ok I know a lot of you have been around for a long time so I wanted

to

> ask you all this question. Has any of your docs said how we are

> suppose to feel? What I mean is are we supppose to be able to

become

> pain free? I know we are all different but I guess what I am trying

to

> ask is how do you know what is normal to accept and when should we

be

> asking for more meds? I just don't know if my pain and flares are

> normal or if I should have better control. Does any of this make

> sense? I hope so. I guess for a long time I have been going with

the

> flow but now it looks as though I am going to start another med and

I

> really hate to because its hard to know what to do.

>

> Thanks for listening,

>

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[Guest guest]

:

My doctor has told me that I will never be pain free, but I can have control

over the beast that is my pain... I think that's probably how it is for most

people with AI disease. Hope that helps.

--

Dodge

From acquaintances we conceal our real selves.

To our friends we reveal our weaknesses.

--Basil Hume

Read my blog at:

http://jumpthis.wordpress.com

---- ktandtm <ktandtm@...> wrote:

=============

Ok I know a lot of you have been around for a long time so I wanted to

ask you all this question. Has any of your docs said how we are

suppose to feel? What I mean is are we supppose to be able to become

pain free? I know we are all different but I guess what I am trying to

ask is how do you know what is normal to accept and when should we be

asking for more meds? I just don't know if my pain and flares are

normal or if I should have better control. Does any of this make

sense? I hope so. I guess for a long time I have been going with the

flow but now it looks as though I am going to start another med and I

really hate to because its hard to know what to do.

Thanks for listening,

[Guest guest]

As I read your email I find myself slowly shaking my head trying to even

remember what normal is or should I say was.

 

Hubby and I for years have taken motorcycle vacations. We both have H-D touring

bikes and usually would put 10K+ miles a year on the bikes. At least 4 or 5 days

a week I use to walk 5 miles a day with our two Siberian Huskies except in the

heat of the summer. I could go on and on about my active life style but you can

see where I'm going. For me those days are long gone. Now it's Hubby on his bike

with the girl's (dogs) and me in the car following behind. When it's a good day

for me the walks have been cut back to a mile and a half.

 

Yes there are days I'm lucky if I'm able to walk to the mail box and back but we

must keep moving when possible. For me RA and all that comes with it has become

my " norm " . Yes I take meds for RA Humira, Arava and others. Not often mind you

but I still have days that I'm simply unable to accomplish much more then my

daily needs.

 

I feel fortunate I have some good Drs working for me and on those not so good

days I hear their words ringing in my ears " It'll get better " and smile because

I know it does.

 

I'm not trying to frighten or put a bummer on yours or anyone's outlook on what

is normal because I do believe RA is different for us all, no one set pattern.

Wouldn't it be nice if we all knew the forecast  but for the most part we just

go with the flow and see how things turns out while learning all we can along

the way. As far as learning I cannot say enough about the RA-Support group and

it's members, it's a great place to do just that

 

Judy

From: ktandtm <ktandtm@...>

Subject: [ ] What exactly is normal?

Date: Wednesday, August 27, 2008, 7:16 PM

Ok I know a lot of you have been around for a long time so I wanted to

ask you all this question. Has any of your docs said how we are

suppose to feel? What I mean is are we supppose to be able to become

pain free? I know we are all different but I guess what I am trying to

ask is how do you know what is normal to accept and when should we be

asking for more meds? I just don't know if my pain and flares are

normal or if I should have better control. Does any of this make

sense? I hope so. I guess for a long time I have been going with the

flow but now it looks as though I am going to start another med and I

really hate to because its hard to know what to do.

Thanks for listening,

------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Thank you all for your responses. I guess it seems as though we all

pretty much feel the same. Normal is different than it was. Sometimes

I just wonder if getting on a new med is worth it (side effects) or if

it really does help. That is another shot in the dark I guess. Oh

well, atleast I know I am not crazy in how I feel. We all seem to be

seeking the same answer.

>

> Ok I know a lot of you have been around for a long time so I wanted

to

> ask you all this question. Has any of your docs said how we are

> suppose to feel? What I mean is are we supppose to be able to become

> pain free? I know we are all different but I guess what I am trying

to

> ask is how do you know what is normal to accept and when should we be

> asking for more meds? I just don't know if my pain and flares are

> normal or if I should have better control. Does any of this make

> sense? I hope so. I guess for a long time I have been going with

the

> flow but now it looks as though I am going to start another med and I

> really hate to because its hard to know what to do.

>

> Thanks for listening,

>

>