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...

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lretz 11/23/2013

I know some of you have had little, or no support from spouses and significant. I want to take a minute to commend those spouses and significant others who have stood by us and become active parts of this journey of pain and uncertainty. My wife has been proactive in researching RA and it's impact. She has started a daily journal to track my pain, meds, how I feel, and how I sleep. She is the one responsible for making giant dietary changes that are making a difference. She has been there for my emotional meltdowns. The Lord has blessed me. If you have a great partner, consider it a blessing. If you are a partner who is not engaged, shame on you!!! We really need your help. Get in the game. Like it or not, this is our life.

deleted_user 11/23/2013

THAN YOU ..I just asked my husband to read this ..he is not where your wife is at and it adds to my frustration and lonliness..he is a good hubby ..but he could be better at this ..thank you !

deleted_user 11/23/2013

You are very luck lretz! I can't imagine how good that makes you feel.

bluedogs2 11/23/2013

Good for you and Mrs. Iretz.

I got me a good one too.

Peace to all

Bluedogs2

deleted_user 11/23/2013

yes you do BD :) happy to see your here ...hope you are doing good .
Tami

bluedogs2 11/23/2013

Thanks - am holding my own for the present - eyes have gotten so bad it's hard to read the screen with a mag glass. But enough about me and my probs - this is Iretz's post
All, Be well
Bluedogs2

trishcorsi 11/23/2013

Larry, I too am blessed with a very supportive spouse, daughter & son in law. The emotional melt downs are as bad as the pain sometimes, so it is quite a chore to be supportive! Have a wonderful day. Trish

Lori57703 11/23/2013

So glad you have the support you need Iretz! I too, am very fortunate. My husband is very supportive. He could be a little more helpful with the house but that is another story. My son, who is a high functioning autistic, is amazing! He has been very helpful with the house and cooks dinner many nights I cannont. My mother and father are very supportive and understanding as well even though he was diagnosed with prostate cancer the week before my RA diagnosis and is facing surgery soon. I'm not sure I could ask for more.

Support is so important in living with this disease. Thankfully, we all have this forum as well. Amazing support from people here who can fully understand what it is we deal with. Lori

deleted_user 11/23/2013

iretz..im adding on ...some people dont have it in them to be caregivers or want to be ,maube somthing lacking in compassion ..not sure ...for my husband I think he is used to seeing me go to work no matter what or the day after surgery ..things like that ..i dont work now ..but in his mind i think he still views me as teh same ..evren though now im am far from being that strong person ...so he may not ever get this .. it adds to all teh emotional part of this disease :(:( the people who have support .family freinds should truly thank there lucky stars ..that is a gift and no doubt they dont feel the lonliness as well .thanks againf or posting this .

RCross 11/23/2013

My hubby is very supportive and understanding. If I can clean house, great...if not that's okay too. He'll do anything for me. A true Southern gentleman. However....he's the type that doesn't always see what needs to be done around the house. For example, if I get the vacuum out he'll offer to do it for me....but he didn't notice the floor needed to be vacuumed to being with.

Sunvalleygal 11/23/2013

That's awesome. My husband still does a lot for me even though I'm very capable of a lot. He's just very supportive on the really bad days and gives me space to rest and take care of myself. He's awesome. Xo

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