I understand how you feel, I go through that too sometimes.  I'm sure most
people with any form of arthritis do.
Personally I often feel really down being 37 with RA.  Putting on weight
from prednisolone, not being able to exercise how I once could because it
hurts too much.  Having to take all these meds when I didn't have to before.
letting my husband do most of the more physical housework because it hurts
my arms too much.  Having my dog look sadly at me because im too tired to
walk her again or I can only last about 1/4 as long as I used to be able to
walk her.  It does suck, a great deal.  im with you on all that.

I hate that I have a disease too.  I also dislike the comments about oh
arthritis I know so and so with that have you tried this and have you tried
that.  The first 100 times I tried to explain the difference between RA and
other forms of arthritis but after a while you just end up smiling and
nodding and don't bother trying to explain it anymore.  I particularly cant
stand the comments of how well I look, that I don't look like there's
anything wrong with me.  I could be in heaps of pain standing up or trying
to hang out some washing but because I look so well it makes it hard for
people to understand that you really are not all that well.

Vent all you like, I don't mind reading vents as it is comforting in a way
as then I know its not just me that does it.  At least you keep looking and
hoping for a cure, I do that too even though everytime I'm disappointed its
nice to still have optimism don't you agree?  I think we will all have hate
the world times and also accepting times and they will come and go.

does anyone really just ever accept they have this and not question it and
get angry at it now and then?

I'm sorry your feeling so bad about it all right now.

Kim

Yes I understand...I am only 47 and I get tired of people looking at me and
saying...Well you look good...or even worse I think is when people look at
me and say "Man do you look tired!"
Throw in FM, psuedogout on top of OA,anxiety and depression....
Yep go ahead and vent...Like Kim says....We then at least don't feel so
alone even though I wouldn't wish this on anyone...
And you know that excercise to help FM....Well what if it hurts your OA too
much to excercise....I love to swim and I do that, but last night I was up
half the night because I was hurting so bad from swimming yesterday...
So I guess let us just vent together...
Big HUGS
Cindy

Hi M,     Welcome to ASA.   You have come to the right place where people
understand what it means to live with arthritis.    I am male,  diagnosed as
having RA by three Rheumatologists.   It started at age 38 and I am 65 now.
I started taking Disease modifying drugs when I was 45 and my life started
to turn around.
   I do not think you have OA with what is taking place with you.  I am not
a doctor but I think you have one of the inflammatory types of arthritis.
Please see an RD and get started on going back to work and living life your
way.   People making those remarks are just ignorant of what living with
arthritis is all about but in this newsgroup,,,, we know,,,, we have been
there with you and will be with you through it all.   We talk about the best
way to do things.  We talk about the medicines with doctors,,,, operations
,,,, recovery,,,ect.ect.
   Please see a Rheumatologist and get started on a better tomorrow.
Harv

Hi,

I think we've all been where you are so we can understand to a degree.
I was 37 when I first got sick.  I know about losing those things you
once enjoyed doing.  What you are feeling now is a normal process.  I'm
sorry you feel bad and I hope that coming here talking about it has
made it a little bit easier for you.

debbie m.

NOBODY@blahhhblah.blah wrote:

Gripe away, kiddo! I'm prepared to listen.
(I've snipped the rest but I did read it first)
I have only just been diagnosed, and that was by my GP, so
I'll switch things  round a bit:
Now, this is cold comfort, but I, having lost the last
remnants of my sight some years back (accidental damage), have
experienced some of the frustrations  you speak of.
I've also had the old "My father went blind too!" and the "Have you
been blind all your life?"
and the like.
And of course, some people seem    to assume that because your eyes
don't work, then your brain must be equally functionless.
A local bank's investment advisor recently lost me to another outfit
by doing just this,  after only two meetings!
I miss a lot of things too:reading text on the printed page, walking
about freely without depending on a conductor, for example.
I don't think I ever experienced depression or anger; for one thing,
it was caused by two (count 'em, two) separate incidents, both
involving carelessness or stupidity or recklessness on my part, take
your pick!
The left retina detached following a traffic accident in which my
motorcycle was hit by a car coming through on red (I should have
looked right before starting off on green, not left) and some nine
years later, I came out of a pub after a good deal of boozing, crossed
the road in a nonchalant manner with hands in pockets, and
nonchalantly tripped on the  kerb and smashed my face into the
sidewalk ... real clever thing to do, huh?
the concussion, of course, caused the right retina to come apart at
the seams, although several operations over the next four years or
so held things together for a good time so the deterioration was
gradual.
I seem to recall I tried to look on it as a challenge, and found
ways to circumvent the increasing difficulties, electronics mainly
but some I devised for myself.
I also looked for things to keep my mind occupied, so I wouldn't end
up sitting staring blankly at the wall all day.
Why am I burdening you with all this boring stuff, I hear you ask.  Well, maybe
it's a way of saying, like  with the other replies you've had,
'there are others  out there with this and other disabilities,  who do
know how it is  and can empathize with you  
in this, and you are not alone, also, in letting it get you down.'
Being a newbie to the condition, I'll let the others advise in more
detail, and shut up at this point except to hope you find better
treatment as a result  to help you.

--
Ian
(Probably the best-dressed Town Drunk in town)

Oh sweetie, gripe, rant, kick sand out of the sandbox even!  It's *not* fair
and occassionally it just darn well sucks.  Some days you just have to let
the feelings escape.

It's frustrating to be angry at something you can't really get your hands
on.  I plan on cutting the word "arthritis" out of thick foam - just so I
can punch the living daylights out of it and then say "there, I beat
arthritis".  Won't help my joints but my spirit will feel better, lol!

And get thee to your doctor.  When the symptoms change it's time to review.
It sounds like you've take meds for anxiety/depression for a while -you
already know how pain is a circle that makes all three worse.   Iif you
don't already have one, get a referral to a rheumitologist and get the pain
controlled.  Maybe we can't do the things we'd like to, but we have a right
to be comfortable doing the things we can.

Here is a hug and a shoulder to lean on.  I have chocolate to share.....

Skip

I've been AWOL of late, but I say - Go for it!  Gripe away!  We hear ya more
truly than most can.  I can say from personal experience that pinched nerves
are among the most miserable of things out there.  Hey, just tell them you
have severe spinal problems - the general public often seems more sympathetic
to "back problems" than to arthritis, maybe because more folks have
experienced major back problems.  And I watched my DH deal with a frozen
shoulder - I cannot imagine the pain and frustration of haing both at once.

I've been pretty fortunate in not having too, too many of the comments
everyone hate.  I've gotten the "you're too young" line a lot (not as much as
I used to, sniff, sniff) and I just chcuckle and say, "I wish!  Mine is due
to a confused immune system and it can happen at any age."  But I digress....

Oh, I've been pretty lucky with the loose comments, but one really got me the
other day.  I mentioned something coming up and the person said something
along the lines of, "oh, so you'll be playing catch-up like the rest of us!"  
Hunh?  I've been playing catch-up for 20 years and have long since had to
accept the fact that I will never be able to "do it all" again.  But the
circumstances were such that I couldn't say that.... sigh......  Since when
does acceptance of your limitations have to translate into "leisure" to
others?  Oh well.  My intent isn't to turn your thread into my own gripe
list, but just to say you have a right to get fed up and we're a good place
to let it all out so you can get up tomorrow and try to get through another
day.

WOW, this is like reading something I would write.  I know exactly how you
feel almost that we could be identical!  I to miss the long walks, actually
just about anything.  I have a gym membership but as late I am only using
the sauna there.  I have the osteo in my lower back, and RA in everything
else.  I am only 49.  People see me at the store, and say oh my you look
great, so glad you are doing better. Better, that didn't come from my lips,
just theirs, and I usually just say oh thanks, I use to say don't really
feel well, but they don't want to hear that.  I told my mom I wish  big huge
purple dot was in the middle of my forehead , then people would see
something is wrong.
I wish you well, have any drugs helped you at all>  I am taking MTX, and got
a scrip for enbrel but am holding off for a couple more weeks for that, I
have come down with bursitis of the hips, boy that is not fun, and now it is
sciatica running down the same leg. YIKES
Well didn't mean for this to turn into me whinny, just wanted to let you
know I know EXACTLY how you feel.
Hang in there
Becky