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...
but it's hard to tell. i try to think about where my pain was with my wrists, the first joints really involved, and remember how much it hurt to type. but then i really focus on my wrists, and they do still hurt a lot. i think about how my hips used to be kind of sore, but i was able to get up and down from a chair without help, or without staggering, or without almost falling. now i have a lot of trouble getting up and down.
how much do we really get used to the pain? over a year ago, would a steady 3 on the pain scale really bother me, but now it's like a normal day? i'm still functioning fairly well - i work 35 hours a week, go to school every other weekend, help clean the apartment and do the laundry once a week, and do some light cooking. i think about how well i'm functioning compared to others and i feel stupid complaining. can i really just be getting used to the constant pain, and how are we supposed to know that?
how much do we really get used to the pain? over a year ago, would a steady 3 on the pain scale really bother me, but now it's like a normal day? i'm still functioning fairly well - i work 35 hours a week, go to school every other weekend, help clean the apartment and do the laundry once a week, and do some light cooking. i think about how well i'm functioning compared to others and i feel stupid complaining. can i really just be getting used to the constant pain, and how are we supposed to know that?
Wendy
If this new drug works, you can count on months/years of relief! Man, I hope it works for you!
As to your other question, I think most of us get incredibly used to pain. I've lived with pain every day for almost 30 years now, and not much fazes me anymore. After a while, pain is no longer a sign that something is wrong. It's almost more a sign we're still alive! We know something is wrong, we know what it is, and it's in the category of "same $#!&, different day." We also lose the fear of pain. Got through yesterday, will get through today and tomorrow, maybe even with some style.
I don't know how good this is for us. We have to do it- there are times, no matter how good our meds are, that pain will be there. It does maybe stop us from treating things we might ought treat, though. I'm having a rocky recovery from shoulder surgery. "When did it start to hurt?" "Oh gee, Doc, maybe ten years or so ago. Don't remember." Some things are more easily fixed earlier, but how do we know?
kudos
According to my pain management doctor we do get used to living with a level of pain. What level how much? I have no clue.
Having a mixture like many it's hard to tell at times what's causing what.
With the RA if I'm heading for trouble the exhaustion & brain fog increase also.
No samples from my office. Just relocating they could not even manage my TB test.
Seems the word I use a lot lately is frustrated.
I wish as I did indeed inquire.
Another question for the new office.
Are they going to be able to offer this type of help in the future.
Every time I've ask for samples it's no.
All this factors into considering another doctor.
Sure am happy for those of you that have that help.
Makes a huge difference.
Hope Steph you feel better. Pains no fun.
By the way we all matter, everyone's pain & circumstances matter.
Sammy