Re: Almost done.. :(

[Guest guest]

(((((elizabeth)))))

OMG, You couldn't have said it any better....I thought it was just me..My

family just dont understand...I am sssooo moody and screaming so easily...along

with other things you mentioned with the ra and medications...I wake up everyday

and try to be a better person, but that sometimes doesnt last....I am just

trying to go with the flo..HANG IN THEIR,YOUR NOT ALONE....

diane in ohio

[Guest guest]

,

I'm very sorry your feeling this way, its normal. We all deal with

this, and its very tough. I started having a lot of pain in 02, and

just now getting a little relief. It takes time to get your body on the

right meds.

I believe going off the RA meds, would not help at all. Your joints

would start going bad, and after awhile, you would be bed-ridden. I

know its not easy hearing it, but you just can't live on pain meds.

Trust me, I have thought of all that myself, but in reality, you have to

keep going with the meds. You need to talk to your doctor, and he can

change your meds, if their causing a lot of problems.

Just know your not alone with this fight, were all here for you,

Tawny

>

> Anyone else just plain ole worn out from all the RA and the

medications? I am thinking that maybe the 'cure' is worse than the ill.

The side effects of the medications have me exhausted, cannot think

straight, nauseated, cannot hear, half crazed, emotionally bottoming

out. Yes, I am able to use use my hands a lot more and they are not all

swollen to baseball mitt size. But, that is the only good I am seeing in

all this. I still have the flares pop up- 2 weeks ago it was my right

shoulder- OW! Another steroid shot and a Medrol pack. My family is

suffering so much because of me and the meds. I am so impatient, I

scream, I yell, I send the kids to their rooms, I can barely stand the

sight of my husband right now, I get so little done. If there is food

and clean clothes, it's a good day. This has been my life most of 2009.

I am at the breaking point. Am I alone in how I feel? Is this how my

life will be for the next 40 years? Anyone else just quit the meds,

popped pain pills and tried to roll with life? Boo Hoo! D.

>

[Guest guest]

,

I feel your pain " literally " . I was always the cool mom/aunt! The one that

could keep up with the kids and act just as goofy. Now I'm the mom/aunt that

grabs my hair and begs them to stop! I get so aggravated, so very easily. I

have no patients what so ever...

I don't know where " me " got lost, but I think its somewhere between the pain and

the medication to help it all...

However, I have seen plenty to know that I can't do without the medicines... I

know its crappy to say the least, but at the very least it slows down the

progression of the disease and I'm still able to work and provide for my family.

If it weren't for the meds, I'd be in a wheelchair and unable to keep a job, not

alone my current position.

For the past week, I've been even more short tempered and ditsier then I've ever

been. I swear my coworkers think I've lost my mind because I repeat myself

constantly and ask for clarification on the most simple tasks... Sadly, I just

don't get anything new and I seem to be incapable of grasping it either. I

just started a new drug to help my pain and lack of sleep. It helps me sleep

and the night pain, but I really think its killing my brain. I'm not sure what

the worse of the evils are here, I just hope the side effects go away once by

system gets use to the new drug just like all the others.

Before you do anything drastic, think about your choices... I'm not sure

stopping the evil meds is really going to help you situation any...

Best wishes and gentle understanding hugs!

Bonnie

>

> Anyone else just plain ole worn out from all the RA and the medications? I am

thinking that maybe the 'cure' is worse than the ill. The side effects of the

medications have me exhausted, cannot think straight, nauseated, cannot hear,

half crazed, emotionally bottoming out. Yes, I am able to use use my hands a

lot more and they are not all swollen to baseball mitt size. But, that is the

only good I am seeing in all this. I still have the flares pop up- 2 weeks ago

it was my right shoulder- OW! Another steroid shot and a Medrol pack. My

family is suffering so much because of me and the meds. I am so impatient, I

scream, I yell, I send the kids to their rooms, I can barely stand the sight of

my husband right now, I get so little done. If there is food and clean clothes,

it's a good day. This has been my life most of 2009. I am at the breaking

point. Am I alone in how I feel? Is this how my life will be for the next 40

years? Anyone else just quit the meds, popped pain pills and tried to roll with

life? Boo Hoo! D.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ((((())))) You're singing my song. I feel the same way a lot of

times. There is nothing easy about this RA. Has your doctor considered whether

you might have some Fibromyalgia mixed in with it? I have both as do several

others. There are many times I want to just throw in the towel and say to hell

with all the medications. But, pain pills don't cut it at all and too much

Advil tears up my stomach and really doesn't work either. Nothing will stop the

inflammation and damage from the RA except these sucky meds.

Has your doctor tried you on a low dose prednisone dose that you could take

daily? While the medrol packs will knock the flare out of us, its fast and hard

and contributes to most (if not all) of the emotional roller coaster ride you're

on. What other meds are you taking?

I know how hard this is. You have to change your mind-set, though. Rather than

feeling horrible about what you can't do, try to focus on what you CAN do. I've

utilized my crock pot more than ever because I can pop something in it in the

morning when I'm at my best and by evening when I've hit bottom, its there for

us, ready to eat.

You might want to consider talking to your doctor about a mild anti-depressant.

I take 20mg Celexa every day and it helps with those kinds of feelings. This RA

sucks, but we do the best we can. Everyone is just going to have to understand.

Check out:

http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com/navigation/BYDLS-TheSpoonTheory.pdf Have your

husband read it too. I also read somewhere the other day that this RA is not

just confined to us - it affects the whole family - and especially our spouses.

They want to fix it for us and they can't. Maybe if you all sat down and had a

family conference about what you need help with and when. Try explaining calmly

(do it in a letter if you can't stay calm) what it is you're feeling on a daily

basis. Heck - have him read your post!

I will keep you in my prayers. Somehow, someway we have to keep going and not

let this RA drag us down.....Doreen

Anyone else just plain ole worn out from all the RA and the medications? I am

thinking that maybe the 'cure' is worse than the ill. The side effects of the

medications have me exhausted, cannot think straight, nauseated, cannot hear,

half crazed, emotionally bottoming out. Yes, I am able to use use my hands a

lot more and they are not all swollen to baseball mitt size. But, that is the

only good I am seeing in all this. I still have the flares pop up- 2 weeks ago

it was my right shoulder- OW! Another steroid shot and a Medrol pack. My

family is suffering so much because of me and the meds. I am so impatient, I

scream, I yell, I send the kids to their rooms, I can barely stand the sight of

my husband right now, I get so little done. If there is food and clean clothes,

it's a good day. This has been my life most of 2009. I am at the breaking

point. Am I alone in how I feel? Is this how my life will be for the next 40

years? Anyone else just quit the meds, popped pain pills and tried to roll with

life? Boo Hoo! D.

[Guest guest]

Your description is so ME! I'm just so sick and tied of being sick and tired.

But, I am not at the point where I would stop taking the meds . That kind of

pain buts you right back on them thanking God that you have them. There are

times when you can barely stand the sight of anyone, I live by myself for the

most part so has to take the brunt of it. Think I'll go punch him right

now, just for no good reason!

Stan

Seattle, Rain.

[ ] Almost done..

Anyone else just plain ole worn out from all the RA and the medications?  I am

thinking that maybe the 'cure' is worse than the ill.  The side effects of the

medications have me exhausted, cannot think straight, nauseated, cannot hear,

half crazed, emotionally bottoming out.  Yes, I am able to use use my hands a

lot more and they are not all swollen to baseball mitt size.  But, that is the

only good I am seeing in all this.  I still have the flares pop up- 2 weeks ago

it was my right shoulder- OW!  Another steroid shot and a Medrol pack.  My

family is suffering so much because of me and the meds .  I am so impatient, I

scream, I yell, I send the kids to their rooms, I can barely stand the sight of

my husband right now, I get so little done.  If there is food and clean

clothes, it's a good day.  This has been my life most of 2009.  I am at the

breaking point.  Am I alone in how I feel?  Is this how my life will be for

the next 40 years?  Anyone else just quit the meds , popped pain pills and

tried to roll with life?  Boo Hoo !     D.

[Guest guest]

Hi Diane and : I just know if I was younger with a young

family, I would feel as you do. I have all I can do to manage myself

each and every day. It must be so very hard for you both. Between

all the pain and suffering you have, it is no wonder you have a short

fuse. Kids can take you to the edge of your endurance. What kind of

emotional support do you have?

Other people just do not know the daily battle we have. Do you have

anyone in your family that can help with your childrem sometimes? I am

sure you could both use some time to yourselves. That is what saves our

sanity and calms our nerves.

A lot of people here are dealing with the same thing. All I can say, is

I agree with you and try to hang in there. I know your battle each day.

All you can do is the best you can do, no more. I wish I had some

answers for you to ease your day.

Praying for better days ahead for you. I care.

Hugs,

Barbara

--- In , " diane crawford " <nuttynurse25@...>

wrote:

>

> (((((elizabeth)))))

>

>

> OMG, You couldn't have said it any better....I thought it was just

me..My family just dont understand...I am sssooo moody and screaming so

easily...along with other things you mentioned with the ra and

medications...I wake up everyday and try to be a better person, but that

sometimes doesnt last....I am just trying to go with the flo..HANG IN

THEIR,YOUR NOT ALONE....

>

> diane in ohio

>

[Guest guest]

ROFLMBO!!! Oh Stan, you crack me up. Poor .....Doreen

Your description is so ME! I'm just so sick and tied of being sick and tired.

But, I am not at the point where I would stop taking the meds . That kind of

pain buts you right back on them thanking God that you have them. There are

times when you can barely stand the sight of anyone, I live by myself for the

most part so has to take the brunt of it. Think I'll go punch him right

now, just for no good reason!

Stan

Seattle, Rain.

[Guest guest]

,

I'm so sorry that things are so difficult right now. Have you told

your rheumatologist everything you have told us here? Let him or her

know so that he or she can help you. Another opinion might be

necessary.

Not an MD

On Wed, Aug 12, 2009 at 12:59 PM, D.<edalfrey@...> wrote:

> Anyone else just plain ole worn out from all the RA and the medications?  I am

thinking that maybe the 'cure' is worse than the ill.  The side effects of the

medications have me exhausted, cannot think straight, nauseated, cannot hear,

half crazed, emotionally bottoming out.  Yes, I am able to use use my hands a

lot more and they are not all swollen to baseball mitt size.  But, that is the

only good I am seeing in all this.  I still have the flares pop up- 2 weeks ago

it was my right shoulder- OW!  Another steroid shot and a Medrol pack.  My

family is suffering so much because of me and the meds.  I am so impatient, I

scream, I yell, I send the kids to their rooms, I can barely stand the sight of

my husband right now, I get so little done.  If there is food and clean clothes,

it's a good day.  This has been my life most of 2009.  I am at the breaking

point.  Am I alone in how I feel?  Is this how my life will be for the next 40

years?  Anyone else just quit the meds, popped pain pills and tried to roll with

life?  Boo Hoo!     D.

[Guest guest]

BArbara,

Thanks so much for your support..I have my husband..But sometimes he doesnt

seem to understand..My children are lazy..One thing is that there not babies

anymore and can fend for themselfs..My children our 11,14 and 16..I also work 32

hours a week and a very stressful job...I have learned to rest alot more and

dont kill myself over the housework and other things...I have also been very

stress out with my 16 year old since april but I know he will be fine..He passes

out in april,had ear surgery, and had a appendectomy last month..He has seen

every docter under the son from dermatogist to cardiogist...My body just gets so

tired...But I have learned like i said to take it easy..

Barbara how are you doing?

diane in ohio

[Guest guest]

Hi Diane: I can see why you are so stressed out. Those are hard years

with teens. They usually don't like to do anything that isn't fun.

What a time your poor son had, and I am glad he is on the road to a

complete recovery. A lot to deal with in a short time.

Yes Diane, we all have to make changes in our life so we can try to

function better. We are really the only ones who can help us with what

we deal with everyday. I too believe that the only people who know what

we are dealing with is ourselves and everyone here. Others can't begin

to know about our daily battles. And it is a battle just trying to

function. We all have to " give to get " , and take one day at a time.

I am one of those people who have always enjoyed housework, everything

it entails. I do the best I can each day, slowly at times, and resting

in-between. I set a goal for myself each day, and try to get things

done. If I do get everything done, great, if not, there is always

tomorrow. This approach has worked well for me.

It is so easy to get overwhelmed with everything. When that happens to

me, I just quit, sit down and rest. It truly incapacitates me. It was

hard for me to learn to pace myself. I had to do this just to survive

dealing with my RA everyday.

I hope you can rest often when you are home. I think your family needs

to really listen to you, what you can do and what you can't do. If

everyone pitches in, it will make your time easier at home. They are

young adults, and need to help you more. It certainly will take a lot

of stress off your shoulders. It was hard for me to ask for help from

everyone, but I do it now. I learned the hard way.

I hope you are feeling better, and trying to take care of yourself

because only you can do it. You owe it to yourself to rest often, and

don't feel guilty or appologize to your family for doing it. We have to

survive and live as best we can with this RA beast.

I look forward to talking with you soon. Wishing you many good days

ahead.

Hugs,

Barbara

P.S. I am doing good and feeling good still. Counting the days till

Sept. 1st when I go home and see my family and 2 baby granddaughters. I

can't wait to have them in my arms again.......

--- In , " diane crawford " <nuttynurse25@...>

wrote:

>

> BArbara,

>

> Thanks so much for your support..I have my husband..But sometimes he

doesnt seem to understand..My children are lazy..One thing is that there

not babies anymore and can fend for themselfs..My children our 11,14 and

16..I also work 32 hours a week and a very stressful job...I have

learned to rest alot more and dont kill myself over the housework and

other things...I have also been very stress out with my 16 year old

since april but I know he will be fine..He passes out in april,had ear

surgery, and had a appendectomy last month..He has seen every docter

under the son from dermatogist to cardiogist...My body just gets so

tired...But I have learned like i said to take it easy..

>

> Barbara how are you doing?

>

> diane in ohio

>

[Guest guest]

BARBARA

Thanks for your support. diane in ohio