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...
Ok, so a few of you are wondering how those three things tie together. Well... Today while attempting to open a package of chewing gum (I may as well be trying to solve a Rubik's cube on a difficulty scale), I had a fellow Supervisor at work ask me if I had arthritis. I replied to her that yes I did have RA and she was almost speechless. Little did I know she has RA also. I have noticed that she has similar difficulties stand after sitting for a while, wearing 10 layers of clothes to keep the joints warm etc.. but I did not expect to actually find another RA'r - especially one I've worked with for a couple of years in my midst's at work.
I thought about this and realized that having RA has about the same social stigma as if I had a third eye in the center of my forehead.... and we don't want to talk about it except with our doctors or maybe a few trusted friends. Even then it seems there is little compassion or understanding of what we are going through. I even go to some length's to hide it. This really needs to change. As horrible as this disease is, there needs to be more awareness so we don't have to hide what we are going through.
I thought about this and realized that having RA has about the same social stigma as if I had a third eye in the center of my forehead.... and we don't want to talk about it except with our doctors or maybe a few trusted friends. Even then it seems there is little compassion or understanding of what we are going through. I even go to some length's to hide it. This really needs to change. As horrible as this disease is, there needs to be more awareness so we don't have to hide what we are going through.
I doubt the friend has RA... they might gave PR Palindromic Rheumatism and that some doctors fail to make the distinction.
I also doubt the friend is under the care of a Rheumatologist.. I would ask. I would also say "OH MY, that's really sad... they must not have a good doctor looking after them. Any good doc would have them on more than aspirin to prevent joint damage - your friends RA is gonna cripple them without a DMARD."
Suera, I would tell your friend that unless his friend is under the care of a Rheumy then they likely don't have RA, they have PR - not the same disease.
I'll bet the friend actually has OA and your friend just doesn't understand that OA and RA are not the same thing... Arthritis is Arthritis right.... that is most people's understanding.
I just found out last month my FATHER still didn't understand they weren't the same disease (apparently he wasn't listening to single thing I said for the last 7 years).
He started quoting a Dr. OZ article in the newspaper about "arthritis" - they were taking about OA of course not RA. I have now told him about 20 times that unless they specifically say RA then it doesn't apply to me. Anyone who uses the term "arthritis" generically is talking about OA and likely doesn't have the first clue about inflammatory arthritis.
I would question your friend a little more, they likely don't have the facts straight.
I vow to NEVER use the word "Arthritis" generically... always be specific as to the type of arthritis. Its the only way people will understand there are many different diseases.
Now when people see me they ask "how are you doing?" in that poor
you ,you have cancer tone...... well I'd like to say the cancer(gone for now,2yrs) was a piece of cake compared to this blanked blank RA