Welcome to the group! I have RA and Fibromyalgia also and it can be depressing. I have pain in my hands, knees, and ankles a lot. This support group has helped me to know there are others out there with the same issues that I have. I know what you mean about talking to family and friends about my pain. I don't think it is that they don't care, they just can't understand it because they are not going through it. I am on Humira, Cymbalta, and Methotrexate. This combination has been helping me.

Hi Fay, Welcome, I am recently diagnosed too. I can understand the extra stress you are under with your mother having RA too. I think it is natural to go through a range of emotions and that's OK we understand. This is a good place to vent and get support.

Thank you so much! I really needed to hear about somebody who understands. The doctor told me to stop comparing myself with my mom. Back then there were no good meds for RA or Fibromyalgia. It is so strange, this illness is attacking me all of the sudden, well, I have had pain for a while, but now is worse. Again, thank you so much for taking the time to respond.

Patricia

Welcome aboard cullinin, Sorry you had to ride. I'm just RA, Actemra, MTX, prednisone. You're going to have questions that seem odd by they aren't, just ask them here....seriously, from meds to insurance to bodily functions that aren't functions that aren't functioning properly. Just title your initial post with the Q in the subject line and wait because someone will have experience but if you don't get an answer quickly enough before it falls off the top of the list then go into it and add a "bump for info" post to bring it to the top.

You've got to watch and fight that depression first and foremost, we all do. Diet may help you, it may not, my screen name tells you what I do and it does help me. Another hint that may help is that using Frankincense as a topical on swollen hurting areas helps me and if rubbed at the base of the skull it'll knock the top off of anxiety (any health food store, don't dilute it, about thirty bucks a bottle).

I wish you well!

Thank you so much Nonightshades2, I really appreciate you taking the time to respond. We are posted overseas in Peru right now, but I can get most of everything in Amazon. Si I will definitely try Frankincense. My right leg is really hurting and I try to stay active, so I walk but I really pay the price after I do. Have you heard of the medicine Arava? Arcoxia hurts my stomach. What worries me is that I am in Peru, and I don't know if they know about the best medicine for this. Again, thank you so much.

Welcome. Sorry you need to be here but it;s a god group!!

Hello and welcome, I signed on for the same reasons, friends and family do not understand what living with chronic pain is like, that is why I come here, only other people that have this disease will only understand. This can be a very isolating illness when no one around you can grasp our struggles, yes they do view us a whiners or being overly dramatic. I have a saying pain makes you insane, when the flair-ups strike it's like being a poked bear, I have to isolate myself because I can only handle so much or I blow up, it's the discomfort talking. I struggle with depression as well, it's all part of adjusting to this new life, you grieve the loss of your abilities and now need to restructure life according to restrictions and pain management. You do get stronger as time goes by, you need to go through the adjustment period to create a new routine.

Thank you for your nice message. How long ago were you diagnosed. How were you diagnosed? I am beggining to get depressed too, I feel very odd. My doctor says the illness can be stopped so it doesn't cause pain or damage, but I don't think is true. My mother had it and she was in so much pain all the time, disfigured hands and feet and now I have it. My pain is not so bad yet, mornings are the worse. and if I am still for too long, when I get up, I hurt, but it gets better. It seems my started 6 months ago, but I really want to know what the truth is. Does it get better or is down hill from here. So sorry you have so much pain. I relly hope you get to have days without pain. Than you agan for your message.