hello everyone this is my first blog.I have had R.A. for two and a half years,and am just starting to cope and accept it.but struggle a bit.

[xmas]

I find that often i feel unwell and the tiredness is the worst so social life goes down hill.It comes and goes ,does any one else get to feel ill with R.A.?

[Hidden]

Hi, I've been diagnosed for 5 months and I know what you mean about the tiredness. If I have a busy day I feel really fatigued. It's like when you're coming down with flu and you just feel tearful and out of sorts. I find taking a couple of paracetamol and just relaxing quietly helps a lot at these times. Rest is so important but luckily my husband is very understanding of this. What meds are you on?

Paula x

[caggy]

You have to learn to rest, its the only way to have the normal days, fatigue responds only when we try to hard to be normal, there's nothing normal about RA take your time and relax as Paula says. may you get better days in the future.

Carol

[sylvi]

Like my two friends have said rest,rest and more rest.I find i'm not worth much after lunchtime. Like they have said before me we feel out of sorts, tired,weepy exhausted,fretful,angry with yourself because you can't do what you want. Nights out have to be planned,no trips out during the day if i'm going out at night. I went up the village this morning,i have spent the rest of the afternoon in my recliner. Now i'm bathed and ready to go out,but i am sitting here until i go out.

Sylvi..xx

[Hidden]

Hi there,

although you haven't said much I think you've probably hit the nail on the head. I think I'm still at the stage of wondering what on earth is going on & something tells me this stage might last some time!

My social life has definitely suffered partly thru' lack of energy & because evenings are not my best time of the day but also because so many of my friendships seemed to involve the occasional booze up. I'm 56 - it's hard to change the habits of a lifetime & relate to people in a different way but that's what I'm aiming for.

So glad to hear that you are starting to cope and accept your RA. Any tips??

Christina xx

[allanah]

Really good to see you on the site. Yes, yes and yes in answer to your question!!! I get exhausted and go to bed and wake up exhausted and then am too tired to do anything and if I do, like I went to London last weekend, found it hard and have been exhausted since! Just think there is light at the end of the tunnel and things will get better when the treatment starts to work for you, honest!

Axx

[Hidden]

I have been on holiday in Italy for a week - away for 2 weeks and I'm shattered. Nobody understands that on these drugs and with this disease I'm not in their shoes. Plus husband snores so loudly all night that even ear plugs make no difference. I think RA (inc PsA)is the most isolating disease which is why this site is so invaluable. Welcome here anyway I hope it improves your social life no end. Tilda x

[helixhelix]

Yes, trying to find a new way of life that you can manage to work round the RA is hard. I find that if I don't have enough rest, and quiet times, I get useless and grumpy and achy. So social life is now rather different, no nights down the pub after work for me. I think you do slowly adapt, but it's hard. Polly

[Dotty7]

Tired, tired, tired. Definitely too tired for my previous job, teaching in a secondary school. I seem to stay well enough for life in general IF I don't do much before 10.30am, am in bed by 9pm, lights out by 10pm at the latest, do only one activity in the morning and one in the afternoon, with a proper break for lunch, and avoid germs. Under that regime, life is almost normal.

[jonsi]

yeah, its the tiredness that gets me and i get hot sweats oh man its horrible.i cant seem to keep my eyes open after 2 pm, so i need to have an afternoon nap or i cant function.

blog away xmas , dont be a stranger.

[xmas]

so pleased with all the comments i recieved from you all.So understanding about this illness and the way it affects us thank you very much you really have helped me.I guess i need not feel guilty anymore because of my constant tiredness.I take methotrixate and hydroxchloroquine plus folic acid and tramodol.My life has changed but i am still me.If i remain positive and refuse to worry about other people not understanding RA i will survive.