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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/9/2010
Posts: 77
Location: Hampshire
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Hi everyone I haven't posted for a while as things seemed to settle. I had an appointment with the consultant on Friday for a review and although my bloods are fine he has increased my sulfasalazine from 4 to 6 per day. I am also on hydroxychloroquine and dicolfenac. I am now being referred to a Podiatrist as the arches in my feet have collapsed  !! My feet are my main problem area along with pain in my ankles and the tops of my arms. I thought I was coping quite well since being diagnosed in September but I am finding that I am getting quite tearful as I cannot walk the distances that I did before. I think the reality of having RA is really starting to sink in and it's making me feel very low. Hopefully I will start to feel more positive soon it's good to be able come on here and post. Take care everyone. Debs
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,157 Location: Huddersfield
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Hi Debs,
It's great to hear from you again but sorry you are feeling so low.
Try not to worry, what you are feeling is quite "normal" and we all know what you are going through.
Do we ever come to terms with having a chronic disease? I have had RA almost 10 years now and recently have been feeling very resentful about it. I keep thinking I just don't want this anymore, I've been taking toxic drugs for 10 years and for what? I am able to do less than I could at the start. It maybe would not be so bad if I could see some improvement!
In the end I know I am not going to see an improvement but at least my joints have been prevented from deteriorating like they would have done without the drugs but knowing that doesn't stop us from wanting to be better!
So don't beat yourself up thinking you should have come to terms with it by now, at least it shows you still have a fighting spirit! Better than just sitting back and accepting the illness.
You will get through this, we all do, and I hope you soon start to feel much brighter and can look forward to Christmas.
Love and hugs, Doreen xx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/8/2010 Posts: 914
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Hi Debs, I really feel for you just now, as Doreen says we have all been there. Feeling the way you feel right now is quite normal, in fact this weather is playing havoc with us all I think. I have been quite low myself this last couple of weeks, I am not going on a hot holiday again before the winter, I think it makes it much worse. Think I will stick to the summer,  and Austria is our haunt for next year. Try to focus on Christmas, things will start to improve soon. Take care Love Lorna xx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 838 Location: Nottinghamshire
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I think we all go through phases with our emotions. At the moment I'm not too good. Just had a few tears, I'm getting feed up of feeling like I am, frustrated at not being able to do what I want to. I'm not in terrible pain, but I just ache so much everywhere and have no energy I don't think I will ever come to terms with it all, it was and still is a shock to think that this is happening to me., when I thought I looked after myself so well.
My feet were a problem too, just the same as you my arches collapsed and it was a problem to walk. I had some inserts made and they really do help, so be patient and hopefully you will have the same results that I had. At least your consultant is on the ball and sending you to see the podiatrist and not just leaving you to get on with it, small consolation I know but from what I've read on here some consultants are like that.
RA is such a roller coaster of an illness, ups, downs and then ups again. A while ago I had my sulf.......? increased from 4 to 6 a day and it did help. I think that the fact that you have been told to increase your meds doesn't help much psychologically, it's probably made you wonder if it was undercontrol to the degree that you thought it was.
I hope you are feeling better soon and things start to improve for you.
Take Care
Paula x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,689 Location: Durham
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Hi Debs, Sorry you are feeling so down. I agree with Paula - we get these phases no matter how long we have had RA. Every so often something comes along to remind us that we`re not able to do all the things we used to do. Ecen when the RA is under control, there always seems to be this crushing fatigue. In town, everyone seems to be rushing about, while I`m at my usual tortoise speed, and it`s so annoying. My arches collapsed too, but my insoles do a brilliant job, so hopefully you will see a difference when you get yours. RA is such a difficult disease with which to cope, as very often no two days are the same, but try to take just one day at a time, and be kind to yourself. Kathleen x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 327
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Hi Debs
So sorry you're feeling so down at the moment. As everyone else has said, these 'low' periods do pass and we get back to what we RAers think of as 'normal'. Hope you feel brighter soon and able to enjoy Christmas.
Anthea x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/25/2010 Posts: 1,289 Location: Buckinghamshire
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hi Debs,
sorry you're feeling low at the moment, think we've all been there.
don't think this cold weather helps our cause either.
having such painful feet is bound to make you feel low and tired.
you could always ring the NRAS Helpline for a chat i've found them so helpful, as you say the reality has set in and that brings it home.
don't think i've come to terms with it 6 months down the line still ... but i find this Forum such a help knowing we are here for one another.
take care,
Suzanne x
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/9/2010
Posts: 77
Location: Hampshire
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Hi Thank you for all your replies. It really does help to know that people undertstand. Friends and family have been very supportive but I think it's difficult to fully understand if you do not suffer from RA. I am looking forward to the Christmas break as I have 2 weeks off. I intend to have a good rest and completely chill out. I hope everyone has a lovely Christmas. Love Debs xxx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 10/18/2010 Posts: 45 Location: Barnsley
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Hi Debs I've found the pain and the drugs the easiest things to cope with. The main bits that I've struggled with is accepting that I have to be slower and can't do as much. Like you said, not being able to walk as far. Even simple things like not being able to go on a 4 hour shopping spree, not being able to perch on the high stools at one of my favourite places to eat etc are the worst things. I think we're all allowed to feel bitter and upset that the quality of life we had before has gone. Like you, I was diagnosed in Sept which feels so long ago, but in reality it was only 3 months ago! We've been told we have a debilitating, life long, life changing condition and then we beat ourselves up about the fact that we haven't got our heads around it in only a few weeks. I'm starting to realise more and more that with this illness it will take much longer than a few months to come to terms with it. Especially as (in my case anyway), I seem to be discovering new things that are hurting every day. I found quite a good motto the other week - 'Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional' which I find quite fitting to my case of RA! xxx Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/19/2010
Posts: 384
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Hi Debs,
Glad to hear that you are going to chill for two weeks the rest will certainly do you the world of good.
For many of us who are still quite new to this it can be hard, realising this is for life , finding our way around it and the best way to deal with it.
I don't know what I would have done without this site.
Take care
Anne x
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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/18/2010
Posts: 3
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Dear Debs,
Sorry you are feeling down- we all feel those things. I was diagnosed 3 years ago and am still mostly in denial.
Today is the best I have felt for ages- no pains at all! I am making the most of it.
My advice is to keep moving, even a little.
Love to you. Chill out, be kind to yourself and have a good Christmas.
Annemarie xxxxxxxx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/20/2010 Posts: 1,749 Location: Somerset
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Hello Debs
Wondering how you are now. Hope things are easier for you. Did you ring the RA nurse.
Hers hoping your keeping warm
Rose x
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/9/2010
Posts: 77
Location: Hampshire
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Hi Hope all had a lovely day yesterday. I don't feel too bad at the moment helped by the fact that I am on holiday and not working!!!! Still have painful feet and the tops of my arms ache but I am taking it easy and resting a lot. Hubby and I have just taken my father in law's poodle for a walk and it was lovely to to be out in the fresh air. I am now going to chill out on the sofa and try to resist eating too much chocolate!!!!!!  Take care everyone. Love Debs xxxx
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