Constantly up in North Carolina

RA is similar to OA ony in that both can be extremely painful. I have both and have fibromyalgia.

Also of note is that RA is a systemic auto-immune disease : your body thinks it is protecting you by attacking your synovial lining. And, in most cases, it confinues to behave this way for the rest of your life.

OA is a degeneration of the bones. Can hurt terribly when one gets to the point where bone is on bone. I had simultaneous bil-lateral hip replacement due to this degeneration.

On a daily basis, the RA pain is moderately controlled by meds. However, the inflammatory nature of RA is incipient.. Even when on steriods or feeling relatively well, there is some level of internal strife as white cells continue to believe it is their job to engulf and destroy first, the synovial lining, then the bones.

My on-going fatigue is a minimum of 5 on the infamous 1-10 scale. I have lost strength in my legs and arms, even though I walk vigorously for 50 -60 mins. each day. It is difficult to maintain concentration. Every physical space in my life—home, car, office—is full of notes else, I would forgot some essentially deviation from my daily routine.

I’m in a flare now . The fatigue is overwhelming. Getting up and doing anything feels beyond my mien. Even my brain is tired, as it must try to find ways to compensate for my limited energy, weakness and lack of motivation to do anything. I fell totally overwhelmed because what was imminently do-able a month ago is now staggeringly difficult. I cannot phathom how I can find the energy “to do”; so I don’t pay attention to my brain and just do. It helps that
I walk with my dog : taking care of his needs is a powerful motivator.

Lastly, the flare has been going on for 6 weeks. My currents meds have been increased to little avail. I try a new drug next month. But, always, I wonder how long this will last and if I have the stamina and self-love to keep pushing when the thing I most want to do is lie on the couch with my dog and “just be”

Char

Also of note is that RA is a systemic auto-immune disease : your body thinks it is protecting you by attacking your synovial lining. And it confinues to behave this way for the rest of your life.

OA is a degeneration of the bones. Can hurt terribly when one get to the point where bone is one bone. I had simultaneous bil-lateral hip replacement due to this degeneration.

On a daily basis, the pain is controlled by meds. However, the inflammatory nature of RA is incipient.. Even when on steriods or feeling relatively well, there is some level of internal strife as white cells continue to believe it is there job to engulf and destroy first, the synovial lining, then the bones.

My fatigue is a minimum of 4 on the infamous 1-10 scale. I have lost strength in my legs and arms, even though I walk vigorously for 50 -60 mins. each day. It is difficult to maintain concentration. Every phsical space in my life—home, car, office—is full of notes else, I would forgot some daily essential.

I’m in a flare now . The fatigue is overwhelming. Getting up and doing anything feels bey ond my mien. Even my brain is tired, as it must try to find ways to compensate for my limited energy, weakness,an lack of motivation to do anything. I fell totally overwhelmed because was was imminently do-able a month ago is now staggeringly difficult. I cannot phathom how I can find the energy “to do”; so I don’t pay attention to my brain and just do. It helps that
I walk with my dog : taking care of his need is a powerful motivator.

Lastly, this has been going on for 6 weeks. My currents meds have been increased to little avail. I try a new drug next month, But, always, I wonder how long this will last and if I have the stamina and self-love to keep pushing when the things I most want to do is lie on the couch with my dog and just be

Char

of or serious enough to pay for a doctor.Pain signals are processed in the brain - so it has to be involved

somehow linked with anxiety and depression to back pain. The key to

improving your back symptoms and your emotional state lies in your ability to re-kindle your sense of control

and personal power