Pain Tolerance / RA Stoicism Archives | Page 2 of 4 | Rheumatoid Arthritis Warrior

“Fine Thanks, and You?” and 5 More Stupid Things I Say

1) “Do you want your rubber duck?” The favorite rubber duck has a squeaker which lets water in. Squeezing the water out of that duck brings severe hand pain. Not quite as much as the softer Thomas squeaker toys. (And water also hides in the duck so it has to be squeezed for two days.) 2) “I...Continue reading 68 Comments » Read more

RA Reality Versus “The Lie”

July 5, 2011May 15, 2018 Kelly O'Neill 116 Comments Pain Tolerance / RA Stoicism, Patience & living with RA, Rheumatoid arthritis pain

When everything looks normal but it’s all wrong Countless times I’ve said that I would gladly be wrong about RA. I’d gladly be delusional instead of this sick. I often say “If only I actually were crazy. Then, I could take medication and at least believe I felt better.” Of course it’s a facetious remark, but...Continue reading 116 Comments » Read more

The Tug of War of RA Awareness: Privacy of Pain & Agony of Disclosure

March 23, 2011May 15, 2018 Kelly O'Neill 60 Comments Celebrities and Rheumatoid Arthritis, Pain Tolerance / RA Stoicism, Patient advocacy, Rheumatoid Arthritis awareness, Transparency & living with RA

This week’s post on Rosalind Russell raised some important questions. A comment by Ronda was highly critical of Russell for the way that she hid from the public the severity of her suffering due to Rheumatoid Arthritis. How can we raise awareness if we hide how bad it is? It’s a good question. Rosalind Russell was...Continue reading 60 Comments » Read more

Patient’s Rebuttal to RA Pain Catastrophizing Claims

February 11, 2011May 15, 2018 Kelly O'Neill 44 Comments Communicating about RA, History of Rheumatoid Arthritis, Pain Tolerance / RA Stoicism, Rheumatoid arthritis pain

Part of me would like to back down. But this pain won’t let me. Is it ironic that I encounter the most cruel RA pain in years at the same time I encounter this argument again about RA pain, catastrophizing, and depression? Relating pain, catastrophizing, and depression to RA Ironically, an article called “Pain, catastrophizing, and...Continue reading 44 Comments » Read more

The Hypochondria of RA Pain: Do I Smell an Elephant?

February 10, 2011May 15, 2018 Kelly O'Neill 31 Comments History of Rheumatoid Arthritis, Living with chronic illness like RA, Pain Tolerance / RA Stoicism, Rheumatoid arthritis pain

Hypochondria is an elephant in the room with RA pain The elephant house was always my favorite place at the zoo. We always knew when we were near it …by the smell. So, how can an elephant creep into a room? They don’t exactly tip-toe. Maybe what happens is that nice people don’t discuss certain things, so no...Continue reading 31 Comments » Read more

Some Rheumatologists Don’t Understand How Much It Hurts

January 4, 2011May 15, 2018 Kelly O'Neill 55 Comments Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, Pain Tolerance / RA Stoicism, Rheumatoid arthritis pain, Talking to doctors

Some rheumatologists say they don’t believe their patients It is one thing to act like women are catastrophizing when they claim that Rheumatoid Arthritis hurts so much. But it’s another thing when it is done to children. Unfortunately, I’m familiar with being disbelieved by doctors. But I’m still shocked that they do that to children. Over the...Continue reading 55 Comments » Read more