Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Hi! I am new to this support group and I am hoping it will help me to cope with my RA. I have been living with it for 11 years now, I am 32 years old. At 23, I had my first total hip replacement, 6 months ago, I had my second one in my other hip. I have also recently learned that I will need ALL my joints either replaced or fused. I have a 4 year old son. I can hardly walk anymore, so I was prescribed ankle braces, they worked like a miracle at first, but I think I became dependant on them and now they are hardly working at all. I need them though, it's like I can walk as well as BEFORE I had them. I am deteriorating physically and mentally. I'm just wondering how some you ladies cope, when no one can understand what you're going through, what do do you do when you're at the bottom of the pit?

Sorry to hear that you have gone through so much...and I too feel that no one can understand what I deal with each day...I try to smile through the pain..when someone will ask "How are you doing"? I know they are being polite, and I have come to the conclusion, that I can't really expect others to relate to what I am going through...unless they have RA...when I am at the bottom of my pit...I sometimes think back to how life was before RA...I was athletic , healthy, and never let the grass grow under my feet..I try to remember the good times..and the positive things in life...you have a 4 yr. old son, he must bring you joy...and if people around you don't understand...remember there are plenty of us here online that do realize what you are going through...to me, just knowing there are others out there, gives me a sense of being, and helps me through the really bad days...so hang in there....

Thank you for replying and letting me know someone is out there who truly understands. My husband does his best, he's truly WONDERFUL, but he can only do so much on my emotional level, so it's great to know I'm not alone.

Some days, it's harder than others. But sometimes, I tell myself that even if I complain, that doesn't make the pain go away. So I try and force myself to focus on something else, i.e the beautiful sunrise that is coming up, the way my baby sounds when she laughs, etc. I'm still in pain, but at least I haven't missed out on all the other things in my life.

When I really need the inspiration, I think of the painter Renoir. He had RA, so badly that he had to wedge the paintbrush in his hands. But he still made beautiful paintings, because that was part of him. Somethimes I think of that, and it puts into focus what really matters for me.