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...
Just saw a FB post a women got a tattoo with the blue ribbon that says the pain you feel today will be the strength you have tomorrow. I'm too chicken to get a tat but I like that thought. I have been on. Crying jag for two days now cry at the drop of a hat . I can't seem to help it my meds haven't kicked in I'm in bad pain and kinda sick again with no voice and earache. And feelin sorry for myself I guess then I feel guilty about the self pity and cry more lol. I keep taking things the wrong way just an emotional basket case seems frequent these days but like you have all said this has been a very trying couple months for me I'm sure it will get better anyway that saying is true I think it's that strength that gets us all through and it's what Allows us to reach out and help each other. Many blessing to you all
By the way if that tat saying is true we are all going to be mighty strong tomorrow!
Peace
Bluedogs2
First off Kimberley, while not related to RA, my wife has the same problem as you describe about napping during the day. Her doc recently changed her pain med to one that is less strong - she was at the limit for dosage on the previous one - and now she gets tired very easily from fighting the pain. Same goes for us - our bodies are constantly fighting the pain from within and also a battle going on between our immune system and the meds that try to suppress it.
I still take mandatory naps everyday - it's like my body just shuts down and I have about 2 minutes to get into a chair or couch before my eyes just shut. My wife is used to going 60mph all day long - the previous pain meds worked well for her. Now.....she is exhausted. She is stubborn and feels that it is her job to do all the housework and cook all the meals. She says she feels the same way about napping during the day - there is so much that she could be doing that she can't nap. Well the other day after our bi-monthly grocery run last week, she got into her chair and was out like a light - first time ever.
I don't know if there is a relation of rest to mental attitude, but in my opinion it sure can't hurt! I know myself - in the many years before RA - that if I was over tired I would certainly get grumpy and short-fused.
Nobody likes the notion of sleeping during the day, but I have come to the conclusion that it is a necessary thing for me. I'm on quite a few meds, and have only had a 25% decrease in pain. The fatigue has not lessened and is actually my worst symptom lately.
Sleep - give your body a chance to rest. While you are sleeping, your body is working in the background trying to rejuvenate its ills.
Terri
I assume you have the to-do list in your head if not also on paper that has to get done in a day? Well, I couldn't take a nap until I actually put it on the list and set a time frame (for me 2:00 to 2:30) to take a nap. No one complains if you take a bath or a shower or eat a meal or go exercise and by golly gosh this is right up there on that to-do list. I even chide myself for not at least attempting to take a nap.
That's right. Even if I don't actually sleep I must go in the bedroom, close the curtains, snuggle under the blankets, close my eyes and lay there until the alarm sounds. If I don't attempt to nap, I chew myself out the same way I would for not loading the dishwasher or getting a load of laundry done. Yup - a nap - yet another to-do. ;-)