Hi Jenni

I agree with Sara. I think this is the only place I can be completely honest. When I ask questions I really do want the answers, as things have not been at all plain sailing for me. I like to know the worst as well as the best; for me it has sometimes been the worst, but I take great courage from the fact that there are others on the forum where their worst is far worse than mine. It actually makes me feel grateful for what I can do - rather than keep focusing on what I can't anymore.

I have really bad depression too with all this - and I feel a great sense of togetherness when I know others are in a similar state too. It makes me feel not so isolated and that in itself is a boost - and a little step on the way up. I am in a much better place mentally now than a few months back... although the body is still rather 'wonky' - although humira and my hands like each other (so I can type easily), but my knees & shoulder are still waiting for their 'wonderdrug' (if there is one!!!)

All the information ... successes and unsuccessful treatments - has also helped inform me of what I am willing to try next, and what to expect. I also have some pretty disastrous reactions to many drugs!

So I vote for honesty every time.

And, you Jenni, have been a great inspiration to me (and I am using the traffic light system - brilliant) .

love Anne xx

hi Jenni,

when i joined the Forum i wondered what to expect.

you don't get the chance to meet so many others outside of here with RA.

re the Drug side of things i have learnt so much on here, and would be wondering why i still wasn't under control a year on if not for reading other's stories.

as for the RA itself ... i have to think to myself we all get it at different levels, so i try to think to myself maybe this is where i am at now and hopefuly will stay there ( even though not controlled yet ) i still just about function.

hopefully i have the Humira to look forward too soon, although scared about taking it hoping it will be the one for me.

so please post freely from my point of view, i know you have been through so much by reading all your posts and there's nothing you don't know about RA and the Drugs,

Suzanne x

Hello all,

I feel that we should always be honest on here - I am. It is the one place that I feel I
can speak openly and freely and honestly.

So all post freely on here, no point otherwise unless we can be honest on this site

Rose

Hello Jenni

I think you should be honest sweetheart. Every one of us react different to medications. Our disease effects us all in different ways. But the crucial thing is , we all understand absolutely totally how it makes us all feel.

There are times I feel my family would be better off without me because I am dependent totally on my husband. There are lots of things I cannot do with my children, and it is not always easy to concentrate on the things I can do with them. It frustrates the hell out of me.

It is scarey when I hear the specialists tell me they are having trouble treating me and I will be in this wheelchair forever. That in itself scares me, but when I hear what you have been through Jenni and it is very similar to me, well you give me inspiration.

So please just be totally honest.

Love
Belinda
xx

Hi Jenni

As a returned "newbie", I agree with all the comments here that you should be truly open and honest. You've already helped to lift my spirits - it sounds as though you're in a very different situation to me - reading your trials and tribulations makes me realise I should be thankful for what I have, not complaining as I have been doing!

Please use the forum for yourself to express your frustrations and emotions, just as you have encouraged me and others to do.

Mylo x

Honesty wins all the time for me - we can definitely be honest on here, it`s one of the few places we can be. Let`s tell it exactly how it is and leave spin to the politicians.

Kathleen C x

i agree kathleen, sometime when things are really bad i know i can come on here and talk about how i feel and know there are friends on here who will support me, even if im feeling bad with a flare i come on and there is aalways someone to talk to or can give me wee bit info so i am always honest about how i feel and hope we all get through each day as best we can this is the only place where i can moan to people who know what im moaning about take care
sylvia xxx

Agree with everyone, if you can't be honest here, then where else?

Nina x

Hi, Jenni,
Please feel free to say things AS THEY ARE. As Vicki says, we can always come back another time if its not the right time for us.
It is too easy to reply "I'm fine" to casual friends and even family when we don't want to disappoint them. I think we all rely on
honesty on this forum as it is "closed" to intruders. We don't always have the answers but usually have a fair idea of the problem.
We all have lives to lead beyond the trials of R.A. and these colour our views but have everyones well being at heart. I wonder what
is behind your question as it has never occured to me that anyone would not be honest. Am I too trusting? We all long to hear that
you are improving but realise you have many more "irons in the fire" than the majority of us. Do take care Anne