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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Muscles & Bones
/ Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Hello

pamela57
pamela57
I just wanted to say hello and am very pleased to have found this site. Having RA for the past 27 years (i was 30 when it started) my family, although they love me and know the AR........well they are just used to it. But the maladie is still there and although i am used to it, it doesn't make life great when there is the flare up. I can no longer walk for more than 30 mins because of my knees. Oh i wish i could just be a normal person. I don't want much out of life. I don't think the rhumatologist even really understands. That upsets me. He doesn't seems to actually get it that this really hurts. Well that's my introductory rant. Sorry. But thankyou for this group
Pam
hilynnea
hilynnea
Welcome pamela57. I recently got diagnosed with RA. I have only been a member of this group for a month but have found this group is supportive with a wealth of knowledge.
pamela57
pamela57
Thankyou hiynnea. I hope to find support here. You know with RA we have ups and downs and when we are on downs ot's good to communicate with those who really understand. Thankyou again
depotblue
depotblue
hello pamela

welcome
welcome
welcome

we are glad you are here.

everyone on this group hurts some time or another some a lot some, some, but we all get you and this thing called RA

dive in

hugs
Ros
2scicrazed
2scicrazed
Hello Pam and welcome! Vent away ... vent away :)
bluedogs2
bluedogs2
Welcome to the "gang"

On this site there are lots of folks that are living in your shoes and you, theirs. As ros13 said, we all hurt, some a lot and some a bit, some all the time and some ever so often, but we all pitch in and help each other as best we can and when we can.

Ranting is a "qualification" on this site and we all understand. I do believe that we are all qualified.

Welcome and Peace
Bluedogs2
Angelpuss
Angelpuss
Hi Pamela and welcome to this group. You will get plenty of support and information here from people who are living with RA 24/7.
WarriorGal
WarriorGal
Hi and welcome. What meds are you on? I've been living with RA for about 35+ years.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Welcome to the site. We are here for you. Rant on! And ask
any questions. Hoping for a pain free day for you tomorrow!
Grandpa2one
Grandpa2one
Welcome Pam....good to have you onboard. This is a great board and it's been a pleasure for me reading about the effects of RA from many members here. I was diagnosed in Aug last year and bascially have been in a flare since the beginning. Still trying to find the right combination of meds.
nonightshades
nonightshades
Hey ya!
annettearizona
annettearizona
Morning Pam and feel free to vent away 24 hours a day-7 days a week while you're here! May I ask if you use walker? Might be slower going...and has your dr tried adjusting/changing your meds to help with the pain relief? I picture adjusting/changing a persons meds with the word "tnkering" gotta tinker with the meds until you get it just right!
deleted_user
deleted_user
Well said bluedogs,

welcome to the group. i was diagnosed when i was 22. had a very hard time with family and friends. they didnt believe me and thought i was acting to gain sympathy. oh! thats a long story. but RA hit me very very hard with my pregnancy. i could see the drastic change in me prepregnancy and post pregnancy. now i am an old woman at 35. as all my friends said, we all understand and support each other. this is a wonderful group. hang in there.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Welcome! You will find lots of good answers here :-)
RAfighter
RAfighter
Welcome to the group Pamela57. I was a lurker on this site for months and months before I actually ever started participating. The help I received from reading everyone else's daily struggles and successes is what empowered me to really take charge of this disease and instead of letting it rule me, find ways of ruling it.
No one understands or cares about RA like those who live it 24/7. You have the most passionate and compassionate people on this site that will truly give your their honest opinions and their advice.

RAfighter
Thewino
Thewino
Hello Pamela,

I'm glad you found us. These are the most thoughtful and informative people on the Internet.

Regards,
TheWino