There are no words to describe the hatred for days like the one you're having today. You're smart for getting everything set up so you can be as comfortable as possible. Don't push yourself or feel bad that you're in bed. All of us have our days... I had one a week or two ago that made me so angry that I just had to ride out the day and start fresh the next. Just give yourself permission to be human. Those are some of the strongest words I've ever heard, from a professor of mine. I hope your meds work enough for you to rest at least semi-comfortably. Try ice, it may help with the inflammation. You can do it 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off, followed my about 5 minutes of heat if you become too stiff to handle. I'm here if you need a friend!

Much love and understanding,

Lisa

I feel your pain, I have had such bad days on my knees, and was laied up most of the days. I am so sorry your having such a bad day I wish I could take all your pain away. I hope ya get better

Leigh-Ann,

I am so sorry to hear of the pain you are having. I know how the weather can really mess up our bodies. We had such a drop in our barametric pressure today that it felt like my neck and head was going to explode. You are allowed to come here a vent any time. Sometimes that is the best medicine. I do hope that you start feeling better real soon, Kim.

Thank you all your kind words are appreciated its nice to have a place to come to and vent because here we all understand about chronic pain where when it comes to most of our friends they don't tend to understand. Thank you all :)

so sorry to hear that your having a rough day. I went through a flare-up a few weaks ago. It was horrible. Just lay down and take care of yoiurself. I hope you feel better soon.

i know those days where the pain is so high and being stuck in bed for the day isnt fun.
we al have those days,i have had a few weeks where i had to help just getting out bed and getting the kids ready for school and laying in bed for bed ready for when they get home.
try moving and getting weight on the ankle,but not to much.
hope your feeling better tomorrow

Do you wear an ankle brace? I have similar problems which are really at thier worst when I have to go downstairs to the bathroom. Do you know what the ankle swelling is caused by?
I was blessed when I went on 24 hr pain control. I shudder to think of having to go back to the morning agony.

Sorry to hear that Leigh-Ann. I don't have RA but I have a bone disease that causes degenerative arthritis on top of everything else. So I've felt the pain and had days just like you explained.

A few things that have helped me is getting arm crutches and a good brace for whatever offending joint I have at the moment. Be it ankle or knee. When I've been active or I think it feels like it won't be nice to me in the morning, I take something at bed time to help ease it off. But too often it hits like a ton of bricks with no warning. I've had a joint lock down so tightly I can't even move for around 40 min or so (that was the longest). Not fun!

The brace and crutches won't fix the problem but it helps me to be a tiny bit more mobile, regular crutches just don't work right for me and the problems I have. I highly recommend them to anyone with severe pain issues and don't need movements. These walk with you and not have you hoping around. Who the heck can hop when a joint is inflamed? Not me, that's for sure!

I also stack up books I'd like to read, crossword puzzles, my ipod and writing materials by my bed at all times and keep a pill dispenser with every pain med I have in my night stand with an unopened bottle of water next to my bed for emergencies. Lastly, I take my lap top and cell phone to bed with me every night, just in case.

Hope you are feeling better today?