Comments on: Don’t Lose Hope!

By: Claude

Claude — Sun, 30 Mar 2014 21:35:59 +0000

People who can come through so much so young like you are amazing. I don’t know how you do it, I’m finding it harder the more pain I’m in day by day.
I only hope I can get treatment soon and things turn around, I feel quite pathetic feeling the way I do when I know that others suffer worse but having chronic pain is so hard to cope with. I’m finding It hard to continue working anymore but can’t give up my job, I feel like my husband doesn’t understand how much I go through so therefore I feel alone in this. Its bringing me down more than ever before so I really appreciate you sharing something so personal just to let us know we’re not alone and that there is hope.
Thank you RA guy and everyone else that shared on this post.

By: Faith

Faith — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 05:58:32 +0000

Hi RA Guy and fellow RA’ers,

Thank you for sharing your story in such a direct and straight forward manner. It helps to break the stigma about how deeply affected we are by RA. The risk of depression and suicide among people with RA is very real. I was inspired to see that people email you for help. People need to know exactly what to do when darkness strikes. You’ve given practical suggestions of how people can reach out for help.

I struggle with depression and thoughts of suicide, too. I was at the top of my profession when RA robbed me of my career, the place I was living, the people I worked with, and the direction I thought my life would go. Adjusting to this life is hard work.

I appreciated your honesty about things in your life that were contributing to the depression and how you built a better support team. I am finding the same. I’m in the process of finding a new rheumatologist, my counselor is excellent, I need a better physical therapist.

I can totally relate to those people who posted about the social isolation. That is one of the hardest parts of living with this disease. I live alone and have grown children. We all have some friends/acquaintances but life with RA seriously curtails being able to go to events. People also start to fall away. I haven’t figured this part out yet but am hopeful that I’ll be able to develop some network of real-life friends who are there for me.

I do have a strong faith in God. This has saved me on so many occasions when the isolation seems endless or a new challenge is difficult to cope with. I also believe we are hear to continue to help one another and to have a positive impact on others. Helping doesn’t have to be some big project. It can be as simple as truly caring about how someone else is doing.

RA Guy? I also loved that you kind of gave a big picture perspective and specific things you did to improve your life. A belief that there is hope, that quality of life will improve is so important. I am writing today because I need to connect. The despair was rather intense.

Thank you and continued blessings to you as you help hundreds or thousands of people !!

By: Beth henshaw

Beth henshaw — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 20:51:21 +0000

Thanks for this. When I was *finally* diagnosed, and sero negative to boot, I was at a very low point. The repeated phrases like ” I have RA.” Or “what am I going to do now?” No, one was understanding of what I was going through. And more importantly, the darned prednisone at high levels made my depression and mania all the worse! Do you know what helped? Talking with other RA sufferers. I kept talking. And learning (real books about RA) and reading real websites. I’m in a place now that is better. And dropping my horrible bedside manner rheumy to much to do to a more human one makes all the difference. Also, adapting to the NEW life. Changing how I do things and finding new enjoyments. Much hugs and love, Beth

By: Sally

Sally — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 17:15:59 +0000

This article is 100% terrific and spot-on – RA Guy, my hat is off to you! As the child of a parent who committed suicide, I would strongly support everything you say. Never lose hope! Everything is temporary and will change, and just like you pointed out so well with your story, you never know what will happen. Also, to those of you even thinking about it, you have no idea of how deeply your loved ones will be hurt by your suicide. My mom died almost 40 years ago and it still hurts. Even though I have had big ups and downs during my RA journey just like most of you, I consider suicide not an option. And even at the worst things have always gotten better. Love to all you heroes and heroines!

By: denise

denise — Thu, 31 May 2012 01:14:52 +0000

thanks for making us all feel better ,with ra and osteo conditions,never give up or into it…fight…