I guess I got very very lucky in many ways. My now boyfriend (who will be moving in in about a month) lives in my old home town, 5.5 hrs from where I'm living now. We've been together for about 10 months, but we've known each other since 1992.

He is VERY understanding about RA and has read all he can find on it to know where I'm coming from and how life affects me and so on. He's more than willing to take up the slack when I'm not doing well. A complete lifesaver and total other half of me. For the sexual aspect, I'm not sure. We have not done that yet, and I have not been with anyone since 02 in that way due to me being on the asexual spectrum. My boyfriend is even fine with that (he is NOT a cheating sort and dislikes the fact people just jump into bed with anyone or go from relationship to relationship. He hasn't even slept with anyone since 04 because he was cheated on and literally gave up). Somehow, I have one heck of a godsend of a man in my life. I wish everyone would have that. Everyone deserves pure real true love.

I am blessed with an amazing Husband we attend church and put God first in our life. I was diagnosed with breast cancer within the first 2 yrs we were married. It had spread to the lymphnode. Did so much chemo and radiation. He was super amazing. My 4 kids was so good thru it all. Then during radiation I was diagnosed with Lupus, Fibro, RA. I was basically useless for a long time very depressed. Because before I had gotten sick I was so active and cleaned my house loved to work in the yard etc....that all changed. He tried to take up all the slack but it is a lot. Between working and driving me to doctors apts, hospitals taking care of 4 kids etc.But he never once complained. But I can often see it on his face he gets frustrated. I look fine now. I think the hardest part for people in our lives when dealing with us is that we look like we are just fine. But if they only knew half of the pain we were feeling they would understand. It definitely effected our sex life because I hurt all the time I have RA in hips, knees, ankles, toes, shoulders, neck..etc. But once again he is not a cheater and stands by my side and waits patiently. I am here for you if you need to talk Paula. God Bless you.

Alexis, I know what you mean. When you look fine and basically I look healthy. But some days I can't get off the couch. ugh. Then hubby comes home from work and asks what I did today. Haha. Just makes it so hard. Glad you have someone to help you!

Yes a dreadful invisible disease to many. They seem to think your ok. But you just want to scream and say , not on the inside! Finally got to the point where if they would say things like what's wrong now? I simply say look up the disease and find out, :)

My husband tells me all the time that I have nothing to prove,because I rather try and do things myself instead of letting him help me. We've only been married four years,so sickness and in health came pretty early for us.things have changed so much since the diagnosis,but he's been right here by my side. He knows my pain tolerance is pretty high,so when I say I'm hurting,he knows the pain is unbearable. He tells me too let him know before it gets bad but I try and deal with it myself first. He and my children are my only support system. Everyone else think it's nothing wrong with me because I look the same. My mom has RA also but she lives 40miles away and doesn't drive. She wants me to move back and go to her doctors. I tend to loose the strength in my hands and can't put on my socks or shoes,or even pull my pants all the way up and button them. It frustrates me because I feel so young yet helpless with a family to take care of. I had to stop working but I got my disability benefits within six months,which further more let me know my health is screwed.