Some Answers for Rheumatoid Arthritis Just Bring More Questions
If stress weakens my immune system, why doesn’t that cure me?
And other weird questions about RA no one will answer…
Many people advise me to avoid stress since it can weaken the immune system. I’m sorry, but there’s just something funny about that. I’ve been sort of afraid to ask, but don’t I WANT my immune system weaker? Don’t I take meds to knock it to its knees? Doesn’t that make stress my friend? If I could just get enough stress, wouldn’t I be cured?
Some of these RA questions just beg to be asked
They are just too embarrassing to say out loud. Why do medicines for Rheumatoid Arthritis have to make you feel lethargic and gain wait? We can barely move around already. Why can’t treatments for Rheumatoid Arthritis make you lose weight and have more energy like the ones for ADHD?
Here is a really tough one
When I say, “I CAN’T,” why does everyone hear something different? There must be something wrong with the reception. People hear, “I don’t want to.”
Listen, I do not even mean to say, “Well, I would do that, but it would hurt.” I REALLY mean, “I CAN’T do that right now.” I should probably just say it louder. That works with the TV when the reception is bad, right? Just turn it up.
I have more questions about living with Rheumatoid Arthritis
If rest is so good for me, why does it make me so stiff? How am I supposed to sit down and rest when my knees and hips don’t want to bend? If we have made so much progress in the world, how come shoes were custom made to fit in the pioneer days, but there are so few to accommodate Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Another: And why am I told to protect my joints on one page of a “living with Rheumatoid Arthritis” book. And then on a different page of the same book, I am encouraged to exercise using those same joints. Why is the exact same motion considered to be dangerous in one context, but healthy in another context?
More ironic questions: Why do people think if you have Rheumatoid Arthritis, moving to Florida will cure it? (I live in Florida; No go.) Why do people tell us “No pain, no gain”? What are we supposed to gain from pain anyway?
And here’s one: Since there are so many cures for RA on the internet, why doesn’t my doctor know how to cure me yet?
I would like to take a vacation someday. I hope it won’t reduce my stress so much that it would increase my immune activity. That’d be bad for my RA – and really stressful.
Recommended reading:
10 Dumb Questions About an MRI for Rheumatoid Arthritis
21 Things to Know About Finding a New Rheumatologist
Medical Records Tip for Rheumatoid Arthritis: Read the Doctors’ notes
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Why doesn’t methotrexate cause hair loss on my legs instead of just my head?
Good one!
Great questions. Why does my doctor tell me that combination treatment can lead to remission and I still can’t get my current med plan to work? And does remission with RA actually exist or is it just some ploy for us to pay for useless meds?
LILI!!!
Are you reading my mind?
Remission is tomorrow’s post!
great minds…
I love your blog it made me laugh out loud, so true and you put such a great spin on it good job, love it !
This is hilarious!!! I want to print this out and show my rheumatologist!!
Sometimes I think remission is all in your head!!
I found a link to your blog and have found the info you provide quite helpful. Pretty funny too.
MW, MA, Fred:
Thank you for laughing with me! That is one purpose of this blog…
Very funny!! Off topic, but it reminds me of one I heard the other day, a variation on the philosophical question: “If a tree falls down in a forest and there’s no one around, does it make a noise?”
The variation I heard in an TEDTalk by Ken Robinson is: “If a man speaks his mind in a forest and no woman hears him, is he still wrong?”
I am not touching that one. We are so glad we have male RA’ers and docs in our group…
I was also wondering whether since a tree falls in the forest and makes no noise; if I have pain and no one believes in it, does it really hurt? Not quite as funny though. Too close to home.
Kelly Young, thank you for starting my new year off the right way..I just found this website and I feel like I am home….To you and all the wonderful people here, Thank You for getting it..It has been a long time since someone has understood…I look forward to sharing and listening with all of you.
Welcome, Patti. It is great when you figure out you are not alone. I am often helped by what others write here too.
Ok im totaly angry now.. I take a bunch of meds my fav being the prednisone cause it does make you feel “happyier” and more speedy but the food cravings and the eating packing on 30 pounds in 3 months.. wtf is that about?? its kinda like speed why cant we lloose weight like the speed freeeks and feel good too?? not fair..
No, not fair. Nothing about RA is fair. True.