I feel the exact same way. : )

I joined a pulmonary fibrosis awareness group recently and OH MY -I'm glad I just lurked b/c the infighting is insane! People are snarky and seem to be in some kind of contest about who has the "worst" kind of lung problem, etc. etc.

It's very bizarre and made me SO THANKFUL for this group, which is so welcoming and no one is made to feel "less than" or like they don't belong here.

I'm so lucky b/c when I did a search for RA support, this was the first one I found - and it has been such a blessing and a help. : )

Think most of us have got help from being here. It is an up and down ride with RA so to be able to vent, ask for advice or even occasionally have good news to spread with those who understand makes a difference.

One thing I did when first diagnosed was keep a daily diary and it has been such a help even seven years on to look back and see what was hurting and how much. I definitely have better life quality in pain terms nowadays. (I keep a much vaguer one now - just very bad and very good days with comments on possible reasons - eg weather, diet, stress etc)

I also found it made me pay attention to the moment and look at joints and sadly I can see the deterioration now. But many people without RA get joint issues and some worse diseases.

Guess we need to keep positive and even though this is a cliche - we never know what might be round the corner in terms of help!

Good wishes.

Welcome, welcome. I know it has saved my sanity on more than one occasion. We are all kindred spirits. Trish

Everyone has been very nice and supportive in this group. I am really, really, really glad I joined!

i too feel the same. and i agree with everyone what they said. this is such a wonderful place. i cant imagine my life without this group.

before i joined this group, i have almost no knowledge about RA and the drugs or the wierd symptoms and more than that i felt very lonely dont know whom to talk to, vent, share my feelings, help and support.
but after joining this group i gained a lot of positive strength. you believe it or not but its true. i gained a lot of positive strength. i hope everyone here is getting the help as i got when needed. infact we are here for each other, supporting - helping each other and listening to each other. we are like more than dear friends. i love everyone here.
thanks for posting this.

Ditto! The people in this group are awesome!!!

I appreciate you all too. I've learned about other things that can occur with RA that I did not know about. Okay, that honey combing of the lungs is depressing. I guess I need to get my lungs checked again.

Thank you all for sharing your experiences, new info and support.

AND I appreciate my dear Friends here also. :)

Twiyliah thank you for starting this post. Sometimes we don't take the time or remember to thank folks, but I am with you. I am truly grateful for the support, friendship and suggestions and ideas many from this group have brought to this board. Thank you all.