I decided to download a few pages, and have them as handouts, for the people that
needed to know how this dease affected me I went to, https://ra.newlifeoutlook.com/what-does-rheumat... It's an eye opener. Maybe you'd like to do that, too?

I tried and tried to get my in-laws to comprehend what I have been going through with RA, lupus, fibro, and Graves' disease. My rheumy even gave me some literature to give them that explains autoimmune disease, but they left it sitting on the table. Truthfully, the pain of being disbelieved is as painful in its own way as the disease. They are no longer in my life, I just couldn't bear it anymore. My own family is much better, and we have many members with autoimmune disease, so there is support and comfort with them. And my husband is just wonderful. I'm very lucky that way.

I was diagnosed with RA and Sjogrens many years ago. I also have osteoarthritis. I have been dealing with the symptoms since I was eleven years old. I look normal on the outside so no, people don't believe I have anything wrong with me. I have always lived my life with the attitude that I have it, it doesnt have me so very rarely do I tell anyone except the ones that need to know. My family is supportive but have never let me feel sorry for myself which I am so thankful for.

In my experience, family and friends do not understand the severity of RA. Mine tend to think of it as a ‘bit of an inconvenience’ which can be quite upsetting if I’m having a difficult day. Although, to be fair, unless you have actually experienced it I am sure you couldn’t possibly understand the complexities that accompany RA.
One day I can be cuddled up on the couch, clutching my hot water bottle and a couple of days later I am painting the bathroom !!!!!!!!!
This disease just doesn’t make sense. I try not to talk about it too much as I’m sure they think it all in my head.

All of you are right. I think it definitely should be called something else. Something that reflects that it is an immune disease. It seems that no matter what you tell people, or what you have them read, they think, plain old "arthritis". It's too bad that there are so many doctors, that don't test for R/A. Why is that? My Doctor told me, I had RA, before I even had a symptom! And, like many of you, I just thought it was arthritis. The kind that cripples hands. My specialist told me, that there is also a blood test, that tells you if your hands will become crippled. Some R/A sufferers don't get that. I told my Mom, once, "I am having a terrible R/A flare up". She replied, "I know, my hands are hurting, with this weather, too."
????? She doesn't get it. Rename it. What should we call it?