Comments on: 13 Ways to Help People Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis

By: Rebecca Richard

Rebecca Richard — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 01:22:22 +0000

PLEASE don’t treat me like I am contagious or something. I struggle each day trying to have some kind of normal life, and friends and family avoiding me because they think I’m “sick” makes it worse.

By: jacqueline

jacqueline — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 08:15:32 +0000

Jane, I picture RA like the stages of mourning. Anger, sadness, denial, acceptance, back to anger and so forth. I was diagnosed almost 3 years ago. I too wish I had known more about the disease. I have learned who my real friends are and have had to have numerous family meetings. It can be very frustrating at times. On this web site Kelly has listed, or people have, support groups in their area. When I was diagnosed this web site helped me tremendously but so did a friend I had who had RA. It was so nice to talk about how frustrated I was…or sad because I didn’t like my “new normal’. I hope you find someone or a group in your area to share your heartaches with. There is always us…and I would give you a big hug if I could. Praying for toy Jane! )

By: Jane

Jane — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 13:57:30 +0000

I just wish people would notice — especially my own family. The only time my family ever even bothers to help is when I have like an RA attack – -when it is instantaneous and I am so hit upside the head I collapse. I try not to say anything anymore because if I say something hurts then I get a long list of what pains other people are dealing with. I’m sorry — I’m so mad at the moment but I read a few minutes ago I can share what I feel and I won’t be judged. Maybe the whole problem is inside me — that I still cannot accept myself when I am hurting and so tired I can’t think — I had a really good summmer. I had some pain but not much. I had stiffness but i am used to that now. i never had energy for a while (I started taking MSM and it really gives me energy)and then bam! The RA Monster strikes out of the blue and throws me in bed. I had forgotten how nasty it is, how relentless, how unpredictable. My loved ones who do love me so much and I them up and leave me to do it all at home…complaining doesn’t help and waiting for them to help doesn’t help because things need to get done and they don’t get done if I don’t do them.

I’m just so darn tired and overwhelmed. Thanks. I’ve gotta go.

By: Rebecca Richard

Rebecca Richard — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 01:53:51 +0000

I wish I had known more about RA, before I was diagnosed. This has helped me though to understand when well-meaners say take some Tylenol for arthritis…or things like that. I hate when my knees and feet are not working, people look at me and I just know they think I’m faking, because maybe they saw me yesterday or last week and I was walking fine.I wish the world was more imformed so that RA sufferers could deal with the disease, and not stress so much about dealing with what people think and say about you as a person. I wish friends and family truly understood whenI can’t open the mustard, I REALLY CAN”T. I have a disease that won’t let me.

By: anne loder

anne loder — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 02:31:29 +0000

I wish we couuld put if you really loved me don’t try to sale. Me your re latest get rich while annoying your friends scheme .If I want to try it I will find you people waste my time .energy etc. If it worked like you say it would be headliine news.My doctor and ins would love for me to be cured so they no longer had to pay for me. .

By: Mary Pearson

Mary Pearson — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 04:07:02 +0000

Kim, I wish you great success in your fight to feel half human again. You will read many scary things so keep your humor. It is a hard road. So many other problems can come from this disease so be prepared.

By: Venya

Venya — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 03:20:41 +0000

Don’t tease me about using plastic plates and serving dishes!
Laugh with me as I sit while you dance.
Don’t pity me.
Ask me about it. Ask ask ask. When you see me limping ask me about it. Don’t tell me I’m too young for this. Please call ahead before dropping in as the house will probably be a mess if the curtains are closed. Don’t roll your eyes at me. Accept me. Don’t tell me at least it’s not something worse. Please offer support and your ear. Remember who I was, if you knew me then. Mourn that person, as I have, and help me transition into my now. A hug – gentle now – wouldn’t hurt either. Thank you.

By: Coopy

Coopy — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 00:29:23 +0000

In a perfect world: Stop accusing us of …
1. Having broken spirits or weak faith.
2. Stop telling us we are lazy or not trying.
3. Instead of judging what we can’t do, encourage what we
are able to do.
4. Don’t use your Ph’d, MD or any other d on us. We’ve
been there and back again.
5. Pray for us.
6. Hope with us.
7. Believe in us.
8. Be silent… sometimes that is all we need to regroup.
9. Stop asking… “did you………” “can you……” etc.
10. Show others where we can meet up with like people.

Just be our friend.

By: Boni

Boni — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 21:18:21 +0000

Take me for a curry! My husband understands because he sees the evidence – the swelling in my hands visibly reduces as I tuck into my (very spicy) curry at our favourite Indian restaurant.

By: Turtlemom2

Turtlemom2 — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 18:58:41 +0000

Angelfood Ministries shut down for good back in 2011 – as I understand, because of mismanagement. They were a few miles down the highway from us, and we used to get their food boxes from time to time. The quality of meat wasn’t good, and the boxes had at least 5 boxed foods (poor quality protein, too much fat, too much sodium, too many carbs) each month. I found I could save the same amount of money or more by being very careful, but getting good fresh foods and good quality meats. Going to the grocery is getting to be very hard on both of us, but we plug along. Good Harvest, in Loganville GA has taken up where Angelfood left off, but they don’t cover all the same areas.