Comments on: 20 Things Not to Say to a Rheumatoid Arthritis Patient

By: Kelly Young

Kelly Young — Mon, 21 May 2012 16:48:05 +0000

Hi Imogene,
I’ve met people who have milder RA or respond to treatment and they feel like that, but what I wish others knew is that that has NOTHING to do with our RA. I’ve heard that more than once and it can hurt. I hope your hubby will read some of the many thousands of comments here to see the wide range of experiences w/ it.

By: Imogene Micklea

Imogene Micklea — Mon, 21 May 2012 15:45:29 +0000

I was floored last night when I was telling my hubby about this site and all the wonderful info here and we got talking about the need for me to get stuff done ( ie dishes) and he looked right at me and said well my friend at works wife has RA and says she does great as long as keeps moving and that sitting down and resting is the worst for her so maybe I just need to push through the pain and everything will be better

By: Marie

Marie — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 15:35:35 +0000

I heard a few new ones this week (I’m in a major flare):

-I had the same problem until I eliminated corn from my diet.

-you should really go see my doctor. He is not a rheumatologist, but he cured all my pain from food allergies.

-reflexology is great for things like that.

Ok, I will get right in that.

By: Steve Schonberg

Steve Schonberg — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 20:33:47 +0000

Yup #3 is my favorite–”I have arthritis too, my wrist always bothers me when it rains” lol Really? You poor thing.

By: Elaine

Elaine — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 12:15:38 +0000

Good morning Kelly,
Yes I called right away and I am on their cancellation list. I want to thank you for you this web site it has been so encouraging and informative. By reading the onset stories I realize that some people wait years before they are diagnosed. I dont’ feel that my ra has gone to some of the extent that others have. And I realize that I was fortunate to have a PCP that diagnosed me. When I get all my thoughts together hopefully I can write an onset story for the site.
Again, Thanks

By: Kelly Young

Kelly Young — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 19:12:56 +0000

Sorry you have to wait so long Elaine. Did you ask them if they have a waiting list you could be on in case of cancellations?

By: Elaine Hawkins

Elaine Hawkins — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 17:30:49 +0000

I have recently been diagnosed with RA, March 9th, 2012 and I have already had some of these responses at least 6. Very true that some people don’t understand. My first appointment with the ra doctor isn’t until June.

By: Jamielynn

Jamielynn — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 21:10:51 +0000

I’m lucky in the sense that my family and co-workers got to see what Iritis and Episcleritis did to my eye. It was like something from a gory movie. There was so much edema on my eyeball that I could not close my swollen eye lids over it. And the redness on the white of my eye turned an almost purple color. I was swollen from the brow bone down to the top of my cheek bone.

When it comes time for me to tell people about RA I’m going to remind them about my eye and tell them that the same thing, inflammation and swelling, is now happening in different parts of my body. That will put things in perspective for them.

By: Shauna

Shauna — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 19:58:02 +0000

Dear Miss Becky and Miss Kelly, I wish I could say I let this one roll off my back but even after a lifetime of emotional and physical abuse this one has haunted me ever since she said it. This coming from the woman who took it upon herself to tell MY nine year old daughter that abortion is “murder”. I have no idea what it is like to know or feel a “mother’s” love. To take comfort in the arms of unconditional love and support. When I was nine and told her my knees hurt she pushed me away accusing me of “just wanting attention”. I grew up lonely, isolated and fearful with a heart full of love to give. I kept it, somehow, somewhere safe and gave it all to my daughter that I wanted so much. In turn she is the most amazing, loving, compassionate and devoted daughter and young woman and I couldn’t be more grateful and proud. My daughter has a loving relationship with her grandmother which is why mother is still a part of my life but I have since decided that mother is much too toxic to remain a part of my life and my daughter understands. I have not told my daughter what her grandmother said, there would be no point.

By: Kelly Young

Kelly Young — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 18:06:46 +0000

I hope you will have other women in your life who will affirm that you are valuable just because God created you. You are. That has been a big help to me at different times.