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Date: 27.05.2011
From: mads

Subject: paranoid me

A number of people keep saying to me that since i have got diagnosed i have got worse, one suggested it could be psychosymatic (spelling?) I am searching for a non violent polite reply - any suggestions?
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Date: 27.05.2011
From: Lee

Subject: Re: paranoid me

I think once youre diagnosed you do seem to keep looking for something wrong or any little ache or pain i get worried im getting worse.

It probably is psychological to an extent as you know its there so thinking its going to get worse.

Dont worry I do the exact same thing
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Date: 27.05.2011
From: cookie

Subject: Re: paranoid me

I could think of a choice reply hon but id get barred off here lol
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Date: 27.05.2011
From: mads

Subject: Re: paranoid me

Cookie, chance it.
Lee it certainly isn't psychological, its physical and i am not talking a little ache or pain - If only i was. This is crippling disability. With the medication i am on i think it is only going to get better, so i am not sitting around looking for something to confirm that i have ra - it is right there blocking every movement i make!
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Date: 27.05.2011
From: Lee

Subject: Re: paranoid me

apologies i think i must have misunderstood what you meant
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Date: 27.05.2011
From: bsk

Subject: Re: paranoid me

Mads, I had a friend who suggested the same thing to another friend about me. i.e. it is a psychological thing. I challenged him on it and he totally backed down. I've had people say to me that they have RA and they manage without any drugs and they are fine. Well, good for them. I don't manage at all without drugs.

They do say stress can make one flare up and, for me, that is true sometimes but not always. However, my arthritis became progressively worse until I started on anti tnfs. For some people it is that kind of illness and even though I am doing better I have bad days often.

Until they walk in your shoes, they have no idea what it is like. Ignore them!
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Date: 28.05.2011
From: Lee

Subject: Re: paranoid me

I think mine is a combination of both as once I got diagnosed with PA I became more and more aware of each pain and burning sensation which got me upset and stressed.

My PA is managed well atm but once the consultant gets to see me again I want him to get me off Tramadol and Naproxen as I seem to have been worse mentally and socially since starting these meds.

I know they really are helping me with the pain but if im feeling social anxiety,more depressed and panic attacks going places where ive been before etc I think they might have something to do with it.

I am sorry for saying some of it is pyschological, it doesnt help me thinking about it more and i know some others who are constantly in pain so thinking about it more too wondering if that pain is related or is it just a spasm or tireness.

I dont think sulfasalazine is the med for me and certainly the cortizone injections are a waste of time.

Apologies for rambling.
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Date: 28.05.2011
From: mads

Subject: Re: paranoid me

thank you all
no problem Lee, i think the medication makes me very uptight and badtempered (well lets blame it on the medication anyway)
Sometimes when i wake in the morning i don't feel the familiar ache and i think right it is going to be an ok day and then i get out of bed and as soon as my knees take my weight- every step is agony - i sit in restaurants and can disregard the burning pain in hands and feet but when i go to get up again i need a table or something for support to rise.

There must be varying degrees of the illness because i too couldn't function without the drugs and i think the metx is starting to work because there is a distinct lack of swelling in my hands and ankles.

I broke both knees in an accident years ago and the pain is really similar to learning to walk again after that.
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Date: 28.05.2011
From: kirst

Subject: Re: paranoid me

in the past when ive had people say oh you seem fine today then comment that its all psychmesmic (what mads said lol) ive told them what i deal with. at one point i went mad with a frind when she commented that i seemed fine one day. I explained that on good days when i appear 'fine', are the days when being in constant pain can be ignored because of the help of many pain killers. I explained that there are days when i can go to the shops but like most on here the feeling normal stops when you have to climb up stairs or use support to get up out of a chair. There are always moments where i think 'oh im as i used to be' but they are few and far between.
for me being depressed on the odd day is normal when suffering with a chronic disease. so if i get a comment about it i simply say "you give it a try for a few days and then tell me there is nothing to be down about"...that ususally shuts people up lol.
think my reply has turned into a bit of a vent, so sorry if its gone off topic :)
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Date: 28.05.2011
From: mads

Subject: Re: paranoid me

good vent kirsty couldn't put it better myself
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