Hi all, is it 'normal' to be spending most of your time shattered on sofa?

[lifebeginstoday]

Hi there, in lotsapain waitin' for another steroid inj on Fri.there MUST b more than this?! Feel v disfunctional n isolated. J

[jo100]

I was feeling just like you a few months ago. Sleeping all the time, feeling dreadful, mental fogginess. However i am now a totally different person. Flare now gone and im on antidepressents as well as my dmard's. Feeling normal again. Life will get better again. Please be honest to your family and gp about how you are really feeling. Hopefully you will get in the right treatment soon. Xx Jo

[Hidden]

Hi there, basically the same as Jo above - I've been where you are and could not believe what was happening & feared it would last forever. One of my grown up sons came to stay at the time & was just horrified, really upset. Things have changed massively since then. Why not just keep blogging here while you are stuck to that sofa? You'll get support and reassurance & a few laughs along the way.

And let yourself rest 'cos hopefully you will be able to be more proactive soon enough.

Christina x

[Hidden]

You are not disfunctional or isolated- you have us J - the normal ones. I've been feeling crap all day and yet I have no pain at all just now - but no energy and nothing to give to my family or friends either. So in that sense you are completely normal - normal for us lot anyway! Take care - things will improve soon I'm sure. Tilda xx

[LuckysJoy]

Hi There, I dont know about "normal" but that is where I spend modt of my time, Especially when I am in agony, I am in bed, just cant do anything else x

[Beth58]

Hi all, what's normal, normal is what's normal for you not everyone else??

Sorry your feeling so rough at the moment but these phases do pass and we do get better, as has already been suggested perhaps a chat to your GP and let him know how you feel mentally, there are things he can give you to lighten your mood.

Good luck, hope you feel better soon.

Beth xx

[Dotty7]

Like Tilda, not in much pain but very tired. It comes and goes. Hang in there, watch TV, listen to the radio, read if you can summon the concentration, sleep, enjoy any times when you do perk up but don't be disappointed if the fatigue returns - it's not you, it's the disease.

[asasmum]

Well said everyone. I am feeling just like you J. I have since coming off the Cimzia with terrible side effects. Now waiting to try infusions but hsp disputes are delaying the dates. I can truly empathize with you today and for the past 2 weeks. I was hoping to visit family some 100 miles away but that never happened but I know this state of being for us will pass and like everyone says just watch the tv-jeremy kyle,loose women,bargain hunt !!!!!!!!!!!! I am sure we can all remember the tv programmes off by heart ha ha ha ha I cant hold a book even with pains so TV is my saviour even if i miss half of it for falling a sleep. Also like others say spak to GP as they will understand the low mood and give you something for it. Hope this helps. thinking of you today Asa's Mum xxxxx

[Fussie]

Hiya, I have often asked myself what is 'normal' and what I class as 'normal'. Pain, exhaustion and depression are now my norm, having said that anti depressants are helping, I think the DMARDs are helping, and on a plus side I have a fab healthcare team, and a great support network both in and outside work. You need to take one day at a time, and on the really bad days take each hour as it comes. Everyone here is helpful, and its nice to read that you aint alone with this cacky disease.

[caggy]

Hi J, just to add more support, make yourself as comfy as possible and relax this time will pass, and just like been said before it will pass, then you will be 'Normal' as 'Normal' can be with RA, you are very special and have lots of friends here who know exactly what you are going through, and going through is the answer, keep blogging it's good therapy and worth the pain! even if it's just in the cheeks ha ha. Love Carol

[caggy in reply to caggy]

ps Steroids are great but will give highs and lows of feelings, I didn't know this untill it happened to me after the second one.

[lifebeginstoday]

Hi

Well, I am shocked by all your kindness and support! Thanx for caring. Particularly hard day for me yest in many ways but actually managed to wash my hair today! Kept puttin' it off cos it's 1 job too many. Anyone else put off the 'lookin' afta themselves' jobs because it's extra exhaustion and my arms feel like dead weights when washin/combing my hair. Shoulder v stiff n dull achin pain down arm to swollen wrist, THEN jabby pains in fingers. Had this off n on for few mths now. Anyone else have this?? Is this common with RA?

Thanks again everyone, I appreciate you.

J x

[helixhelix]

'Fraid so. Another of the joys of RA. The inflammation knocks the stuffimg out of you, and then your body adapting to the drugs is also draining, so it's a slow process. Steroid jabs can be little holidays from it all.

You learn to prioritise. Well that's my excuse for ignoring dust, creased clothes and other irritating domestic jobs. But do make sure you eat properly, and try to take a little exercise even if it's only a few stretches and the range of movement exercises.

And it's very early days for you (I know it may not feel like it), so things should be hugely different by Christmas. So just hang on in there, and try not to get too despairing. Pollyx

[Hidden]

Hello J really identify with putting off stuff, i do that all the time and then beat myself up for being lazy, unmothering, unwifely etc....i have just so much energy and can only do do many things. For some reason housework always seems to come bottom of the list. I desperately need hair cut and coloured but am putting that off cos its just too hard at the minute.

Really hate have shoulder and arm pain so disabling, you have my sympathies.

[helixhelix]

I recommend developing a passion for the Tour de France, as somehow watching sport doesn't count in the category of doing nothing! Hours and hours of gentle wheels turning.......

[sallyeb in reply to helixhelix]

Fab isn't it - an excuse to sit down for hours every day .......

[helixhelix in reply to sallyeb]

especially when you don't have to be embarrassed about the UK cyclists performance.....

[lifebeginstoday]

Hi Polly, I must be changing as I'm actually looking 4ward to the Olympics and Paralympics. The only sport I watch is Wimbledon usually. Hubby loves Grand Prix which is like torture to me cos of the NNNNEEEEEOOOOWWWWMMMMMM>>>>>>NNNNEEEEEEOOOOOWWWWMMMM

(noise makes me feel really ill!).

I'd prefer to be in the car racing personally - bit of a tomboy by heart.

[helixhelix in reply to lifebeginstoday]

Cycling is much more peaceful as a spectator sport, and lovely landscape to look at as well (-and I don't mean the Lycra-clad cyclists)

[Hidden in reply to helixhelix]

i always watch tennis but have developed a fondness for golf, those little balls nearly going into the little holes. can't get into the Tour de France think my brothers put me off, they cycle and I spent so many hours watching them watching the cycling.

[lifebeginstoday]

LOL! Might give it a viewing myself!

[Jan66]

Hi, also. Feeling terrible today (due to dentist yesterday) but will take it really and easy, the secret is not to feel guilty about it!!!!

My guilty pleasure is pre-recording films off the telly to watch in the afternoon. Just watched 'the boat that rocked' which was such a laugh, made me feel like dancing! Best wishes to all Jan

[minka]

yep i can relate to this j

thought get up have somthing for breakfast cup of tea fag get back in bed then i said to myself co on computer for a bit.

its off puttiing trying to keep ya self tidy and hard to do but try your best.

and you must keep moving a bit or your mussles will start to shrink with lACK OF USE.

i know its hard but keep everything moving as much as you can

i did to much yesterday and im paying for it today.

fatique is realy bad but push and push

i whish i could sleep in till 8am that would be great from 10pm when going to bed.

going swimming later on cos they have good showere and i dont need to stand in bath cos thats bleeding hard on my legs.

mine all kicks in at night about 8pm im nackered but try to make it throught to 10pm

so yes i sympathise with this but ive not been diagnosed with it yet bloods showing up normal dont know what the correct test is for this yet.