I was a " do it all" go-getter. Full time job, a speaker/helper to parents online and in person, and vice moderator of my church. Then the symptoms started. Before I saw the rheumatologist. I could hardly walk, terrible pain, and was so tired. I kept working because I loved my job. They were making all kinds of accommodations for me. It was hard changing from helping to getting help. I went through medications quickly and on Enbrel. I was almost back to the old me but I had learned that I no longer could "do it all". My husband was grateful when I found a medication that worked. He retired before me so he was helpful around the house. After he died I found that I couldn't lift a plate in the cupboard. At that point I got determined to be as strong physically as I could or I couldn't live by myself. Basically I had a " talk" with myself.I started exercising two times a week. I am physically and mentally stronger than i was seven years ago. And I had to become ok with saying that I am disabled. (My hands look like the pictures in the book.) I do what I can. I miss my embroidery - I feel fortunate that my doctor had another medication after the Enbrel stopped working. I am patient with myself and others. (I worked with special needs children from 3 to 14 for 31 years.) My hope is that I can continue finding ways to compensate as I age.

At first I was angry and thought why me? Then I realized that being angry didn't help matters either and I was going through some other things in my marriage and the stress made me feel worse and I didn't get any help from my husband and he still expected me to do everything by myself while he was let's just say having fun with with the other females. I decided to get a divorce and I started to lose weight and my joints were thankful for that. I decided to find my old self again and I started loving myself again and I took better care of myself and I have compassion for those who had RA and I don't feel sorry for myself because I realized that there's those who have it worse than me and I was learning to take take it one day at a time and eat properly, rest and relax and pace myself. I was so happy to join myrateam so I could help others with their RA and share what I was going through and and learn how others were going through. I no longer feel angry and that makes a big difference on my health and my outlook. I'm still learning how RA affects our bodies and minds. I pray 🙏 that someone will come up with a cure for RA maybe not in my life time but for others who might come down with it. Remember just stay positive and actively moving and get plenty of rest etc...

Constant pain has a way of getting on our nerves and it's easy to lose control sometimes.

@A myRAteam Member
I usd to take Lyrica and I had brain fog all the time. I wouldn't be able to speak what I wanted to say. It was in my head but the words had a hard time coming out of my mouth. Check to see if any of your meds cause that. I stopped taking it about 2 months ago and it seems to be getting better.

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A myRAtea...

Very well explained, Gale. This support team gives us a forum to discuss our problems. Then we can often carry on our positive thinking within family and friends. 🌸🌷🌸 angelaceleste