Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...

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Indycarr 01/21/2014

How much do you think it adds to your fatigue, and pain? I've got so much going on in my life right now I could scream...

Crazy busy at work, just got a new boss I dislike (which is a total understatment) so looking for a new job, husband out of work for 8 months now and financial stress is starting to really contribute, his 18 year old son has caused major grief in our house with some serious criminal issues - I hate being home when he's in our house, parents are in their late 70's and not doing well, and I'm dealing with this stupid disease.

I'm tired - ALWAYS. I don't sleep well, having major issues with finding the energy to exercise which used to be a huge part of my life and it's really making me down and feel like a slacker to go to the gym so little now, and this cold weather - OMG I'm not sure I'll survive the rest of the winter.

On MTX and I've started getting migraines on Friday's after my injection. Also have had a lot of blurriness, something not right with my vision. Next rheumy appointment in 2.5 weeks and I'm wondering if I should try something else, or add something else to my meds. The MTX had been really helping with the pain, but the last couple of weeks haven't been good. Not in agony - but constantly have a few joints that are just not good. Went to an RV show on the weekend, a slow stroll through the convention center, popping in and out of RV's, and about an hour into the show both my knees started blowing up. Not a lot of swelling, but major pain. Was so frustrating to not be able to go out and just enjoy a couple hours with the hubby doing something he really wanted to do. Had to spend the rest of the night on the couch.

Really fed up with life and all its surprises - enough is enough for pete's sake!

Help!

stephgas 01/21/2014

to sneer your original question - a lot. stress in a healthy person contributes to poor sleep and fatigue, not to mentions host of other issues. you may want to ask about a safe sleeping pill. my hubby and i, at different times, needed to regulate and improve our sleep. we used sleeping pills for 10-12 days. took the pill at 9:50, got into bed at 10:30, woke up at 6 every day for 10-12 days. then kept going to bed by 10:30 and waking up for about another week. by then our bodies were used to this sleep pattern. we stay up a bit later some days, but still are almost always in bed between 10-10:30 and wake up between 6-7, even without setting an alarm.

deleted_user 01/21/2014

I so feel you and understand where your at.....Stress to much anyway is not a friend to well or sick people...This year has been a stressful one for many it seems......in 2013....My dad died....My daughters husband was in a very bad car accident that left him a parapalegic.....she has 3 kids and didn't have the strength to care for them...my other 2 grown children went thru divorces at the same time and they were not nice divorces...my mother had a mastectomy.....I had to give my job up so we now live on what my husband makes which is not a lot.....My daughter and son at different times were arrested for drinking and leaving the scene of an accident.....Same reason my son in law is in a wheelchair.....so you see....I could go on and on ...this is just some of the event that has happened in the last year.....So this is what I say: These events will not define who I am and the life I intend to lead....It will not change the person I am or the care I intend to give myself and others.....It will not jade my intentions to live the best life possible even with a diseae I cannot control....I do what I can for my family and friends but I also put me first as well.....and take time away from the problems and stress of the world to take care of me....my husband our dogs....YAY!! I do things I love....Hot baths...warm blankets.....gentle exercise....yoga....I eat well....I read positive books and uplifting articles and I give back as much as I can...../so take care of yourself....number one....do what makes you happy and I will be sending positive prayers your way!!!

annettearizona 01/21/2014

stress adds 95% of problems to your life-the way I look at it!

sammyo1 01/21/2014

IMO stress can magnify our state of health.

Here's a prime example. My sister is going through marriage problems. Which has resulted in stomach problems. Every test has been done & they can't find anything other then reflux/Gerd. Yet if she eats a normal meal she sick with stomach pains & at times vomiting. It was to the point a yogurt was all she could manage.
Took her awhile but she discovered when she's upset or stressed is when it's at it's worst.

My husbands BP will go crazy if he's really stressed.
We all tend to tense up our bodies without realizing it.
We've heard laughter is good for us & releases good chemicals so I have to believe stress does the opposite.

We all know it's not good for us but at times it's not avoidable.
My brother is sick & the prognosis is not good. For the first time in my life I've chose not to "deal" with it. I just can't right now. I block it out as much as I can. The time will come but I can't handle. Perhaps it's not wise but I have to do it my way.

Im so sorry your going through this. Seems at times we get hit with one thing after another.
I hope you can find something positive soon something that makes you happy or at least content.
I'm so sorry about your son in law. How difficult for your family.

I have my faith without it I'd never be where I am today.
still it can be a rough road. We will never get this time back & I try hard to find something to smile or laugh about. Kind of a break from reality.
Blessings, Sammy

Indycarr 01/21/2014

Thanks for the encouragement... I needed it, and it's true, we have to manage and prioritize where we put our energies, for our own sanity and health.

It's sad we all have so much to deal with. Life should be easier. I feel for you all and I'll keep positive thoughts for you.

I needed a stress reliever tonight so despite being exhausted I did a class at the gym. I'm trying to tell myself to be happy that I went and did something, even tho it was half the workout I'm used to, but I'm in pain now and it was so frustrating to not be able to do what I used to do so easily. I walked out of class and let myself cry for about 2 minutes then went back in and did what I could to finish the class. I needed the cry, but I finished so I'll have to just hang on to that positive.
Small victories I guess.
Time for sleep and hope you all have had a good night.

deleted_user 01/21/2014

I am thinking of you tonight and hoping you are OK. You are under so much stress. I worry that without a restorative night's sleep you will never feel better. Can you try sleeping slightly more upright in a recliner chair or in bed propped up on pillows? Sometimes this change helps me.

Yes, focus on the small victories. Celebrate those and take life day by day, it's what gets me through the stress. Keep venting. Go easy on yourself tomorrow. Do something nice for yourself: read a favorite old chapter in a book, heating pad and music meditation time, talk to a friend about your worries over coffee.

Sending you a hug through this post.

lynnedavidson3 01/22/2014

I understand how hard it is to function under horrible stress. I struggle with this too. I'm a type A, stuck on the ceiling. Sometimes an old funny movie helps, sometimes an exercise class.
Yes, your class was a victory.

sammyo1 01/22/2014

Heck anyone in your shoes would cry.
Vent away & cry when you want.,
Takes a strong person to not jump in bed under the circumstances.
Chin up
Sammy

Indycarr 01/22/2014

Thanks... Just thanks.

mechellebelle 01/22/2014

I hear you! Totally agree. Same here. Overwhelmed doesn't begin to cover it.
All I can say is that you are not alone and I know this sounds corny, but it is so true: try to only look at one day, or one hour even, at a time.

That helps me with the mental stress issue.

I'm striving for balance. I'm telling myself that even though my day is INSANE and I am EXHAUSTED, I deserve at least 5 minutes of something that is either relaxing, or fun and enjoyable, preferably all of those things! I'm not there yet, LOL, but I am working on it and I hope you get at least 5 minutes a day too.

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