Buegal62. I have been thinking for weeks now that I must be a hypochondriac.. that all this pain is in my head and I was just being lazy. I just don't know if the pain is debilitating enough to go on disability. I work thru most of it..middle of the night and first thing in the morning are my worse times..I have to work to have insurance .. but hurt to work.... mentally and physically I am just a wreck waiting to run into a brick wall..... ugh..

@SoTired84 SAME!!! I know that feeling all too well! You push through. And then to have a doctor be so passive about my symptoms, just compounded it. Its almost like with doctors, you have to be beat down in pain screaming before they believe you, and any times if they don't act quick enough to find the problem you end up getting worse to the point of no return. I filed just to see if its possible to get it(SSDI), because I wasn't sure if I could. But being in pain and having my limbs stiffen up is getting harder each day, and so far its been over a year now with no relief.

Well, I found out long ago that the squeaky wheel gets the grease. This idea of "in pain screaming before they believe you" is the truth. I don't put up with "but your numbers say": or even "your joints are fine!" Yes, but all weekend I couldn't open my mouth, I had a flare in my jaw that was so bad. And having dislocated the other jaw, with permanent damage, I WILL take prednsione to get the swelling down, so this right jaw doesn't also dislocate!

Just rehearsing what I am going to say tomorrow. I have so much wrong with my right now, the knee pain has apparently moved into my hip and foot, I scarcely know what to say anymore! And it is so hard to fight when most of your fight is gone, just getting out of bed and getting dressed in the morning.

I am going to see if we can add something to my cocktail. Hubby wants to move, because I cannot work in my garden anymore. I understand his point, but I am desperate to get something that will help and stay a few years longer.

@Marlene J I feel you! I started tracking my symptoms using an app to help me remember whats going on day to day so when I get to my doctor I know exactly what to tell them about whats going on. The symptoms oscillate some times and flares aren't always in the same place. I just want to get back to my old self again

@jolinejoline, You are not a doctor, but like ALL of us here, a patient. That's it. I can empathize with whomever I choose here, because that's what support and connecting to others in the same crisis as we are, do. Connect and empathize. Are you psychic? How in TH do you know if @Marlene J can walk or not? What do you know about her pain at all besides what she tells you? And who are you to say what SHE feels? You are NOT part of her physical experience so you can't judge either way, so, I'm telling you to stop, now.

This is MY thread, and it can flow however I choose it to go. All are welcome to comment and share, but not judge and scrutinize like you are doing here. I said what ails me, if you wanna think in terms of black and white, then see your way out of this thread. RA is much more encompassing than narrow minded thinking like yours.

Reading package inserts tells you side effects and contraindications of drugs, the fatigue is a symptom of RA, not of the drugs, unless stated. So, exactly wth did that statement mean? But I digress.

My recommendations to YOU are: Stop judging others like you think you know better than they, because clearly, you don't. Or you wouldn't be here. Lay off the booze and slurs, stay away from the PC when you feel agitated and feel compelled to get on forums giving advice like a physician, because, you're not. Refrain from attempting to hijack threads that aren't yours, because, well, like noted here, you might get a verbal lashing or blocked/reported. Also, be nice to everyone in your world, because if not, you might come across someone like me who takes no mess and doesn't care if you like it or not. That's my daily dose to you @jolinejoline:) Happy 4th of July!!

Thanks for defending me, Bluegal, but I have had her on ignore a long time. Now I remember why!

My doctor is moving me up 5 mg injectable mthx, starting tomorrow. If the liver enzymes stay normal, he will let me go up. I've been doing a beet juice cleanse with fresh veggies from the garden. It tastes so good. And it should help! Going to do another right away!

Happy 4th of July to you, and all the Americans in this forum!

@Marlene J, I hope I sent her a message loud and clear, if she's smart, she will take heed. I've been thinking of doing some sort of alkaline cleanse and get my pH balanced in hopes that may help bring some relief.

I find the beet juice one really works for me. I assume it is alkaline, because of the lemon. All veggies and fruits need to be fresh, preferably just picked! The longer from picking, the worst it tastes. Fresh, it is good.

1 beet peeled and chopped 4 ways
beet greens
1/2 lemon, skin peeled
1 celery
1 apple quartered
carrots - large or lots of thinned garden carrots
blueberries or Saskatoon berries
garlic (essential! and good!)

I have a Breville juicer, pulp is almost bone dry. Pulp is good, but not when you are cleansing.

Breville is a very good brand! I've seen them and they work really well!! The beet juice, question for you, does it stain your teeth? I know beet juice is very staining, at least on clothes. The recipe sounds delish btw! And I'm not big on some fruits and veggies but, mixed with things I like I can tolerate it, lol

It doesn't stain your teeth at all. But, yes, the clothes can be ruined! I also make borscht (beet soup) in the fall, when my veggies are all big and yummy. Last year I made some in the fall, and it was so sweet and good. It reminds me of why I love gardening. Besides flowers, eating the veggies, and fruits is worth the effort. (My husband made me raised beds! I just sit on them to plant, weed and harvest. No effort at all!)