Rheumatoid Arthritis; We as sufferers hear it more than we like too but those we wish understood it don’t hear it enough. We feel its pain more than we want while others don’t understand our pain enough. This is our Rocky Road with Rheumatoid Arthritis. So Where Do We Turn?
Where Do We Turn when our pain has gotten the best of us
Where Do We Turn when that pain keeps on getting the best of us
Where Do We Turn when all of our medicines fail to end this pain that just won’t leave us alone
Where Do We Turn when our options to get better seems to be fading away
Where Do We Turn when we have so much to do but our bodies just can’t stand up to the task;
We know you are there
So Can We Turn To You when we have to look at ourselves and face what so many refuse to see “We Are Sick” with a Disease that stops our mind and body from responding to what our heart wants us to do
So Can We Turn To You when we try with all that we have to be strong but find that our strength has slipped away right before our eyes
So Can We Turn To You when our words to all feel like they’re spoken in a language that no one seems to understand
So Can We Turn To You when we are forced to play down the controlling effects of Rheumatoid Arthritis
So Can We Turn To You when we open our mouths to speak but swallow our words because the truth about what we’re enduring may seem impossible in the eyes of many
Still we want to know
Can We Count On You when we’re made to feel like our truths about Rheumatoid Arthritis are just cries of pity and selfishness
Can We Count On You as we face this Monster all alone as many in our circle walk away from the load they fear is just too much to carry
Can We Count On You when we realize our world is full but RA makes us feel empty and lost
Can We Count On You as we cry those endless tears of frustration, sadness and loneliness
Can We Count On You because others that we thought we could depend on has slowly isolated us because of their own misunderstanding of Rheumatoid Arthritis;
Our lives are full of needs for so many things. Our need for understanding, support, to be pain-free, to find medication that works, rest for our minds and above all strength to handle it all. These are just some of what we need in our lives and some of what we are fighting so hard for. But who can we really turn to and who can we really count on to help us through our struggles and our fight with Rheumatoid Arthritis. As it stands, we are faced with so many difficulties not only brought on by this disease but the stigma of What It Is Interpreted To Be By Others. We fight with all of our might just to make it one day to the next but it seems that Understanding has its own place in our battle.
I say it again and again, no one understands the gravity of this disease. As we reach out to others for support and understanding, it is not for selfish reasons, nor is it for pity but nothing more than what we really need. The more we all understand this disease the better it is for everyone involved. They ask, we answer, we talk, they listen, they talk, we listen and this is how it should start. That is what it should be about and how the understanding should start. So, understanding that RA is one of the most devastating diseases that I as a sufferer can tell you about is the truth. Again, because we look okay doesn’t mean we are okay. Having someone in our lives that understand what that means and being someone we can count on is one thing that will make this just a little bit more tolerable. So as we turn to you, look into our eyes and see our truth: What We Have Is Real And It Is Devastating.
Rheumatoid Arthritis makes you sick, it makes you sad and it makes life lonely. Don’t let us go down this rough road alone. These are not cries for anything other than what they are, our cries to be heard. Don’t let these 2 words (Rheumatoid Arthritis) fool you by thinking they are something they are not. They are much bigger than the eyes can see.
Be Blessed.
photo credit: alexasfotos/pixabay.com
RA AND THE FAMILY FIT 
March 14, 2016 at 6:23 pm
Though this post was AMAZING, what stuck out to me the most was “because we look okay doesn’t mean we are okay.” I can totally relate. It sucks to have to explain to people, to outsiders looking in, what is actually going on inside our bodies. Understanding is key and a sure way to show support.
March 14, 2016 at 7:01 pm
Thank you and I do understand.
April 1, 2016 at 7:06 pm
The thing most people do not understand is all the OTHER body parts affected by Rheumatoid Disease. [Arthritis is only one symptom of this condition, hence the gradual shift to calling it “Rheumatoid Disease.” Here is a non-inclusive list:
Lungs – affect the membrane lining the lungs, leading to pleuritis and fluid collection; rheumatoid nodules can form in the lungs, also
Reduction in red blood cells = anemia
Treatment to suppress the immune system may lead to low levels of blood platelets, a condition called thrombocytopenia
Felty’s syndrome, a condition in which the spleen is enlarged and the white blood cell count is low in people with rheumatoid arthritis. Having Felty’s syndrome may increase the risk of lymphoma, a cancer of the lymph glands.
Rheumatoid nodules under the skin occur in 20% of patients with Rheumatoid Disease. These can occur on elbows, forearms, fingers or heels. These nodules can occur in the heart and lungs, also. In the lungs this can lead to hemorrhage.
Rashes of the skin
In the eyes, uveitis, iritis, scleritis and episcleritis can affect vision and eye comfort. People with Rheumatoid Disease are also susceptible to developing Sjogren’s Syndrome which leads to extreme dry eye and dry mouth
A collection of fluid between the outer membranes of the heart and the heart muscle itself – pericardial effusion. This is life-threatening
Pericarditis – inflammation of the membranes around the heart – is life-threatening.
We who have Rheumatoid Disease are at increased risk of heart attacks just as people with type-2 diabetes are. We are also at increased risk of stroke. This is because inflammation of the blood vessels – both veins and arteries – can occur in about 15% of patients with Rheumatoid Disease.
WebMD has lots more information and much more detail than I included here. The thing to remember is, nearly any part of your body can be affected by Rheumatoid Disease with resultant symptoms which depend upon the part of the body affected.
April 1, 2016 at 8:39 pm
Amen. Terrific information and you are right this is exactly what people do not understand.
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