If the two trouble makers would leave the forums maybe a lot of the long standing members would come back. It's always the same two who start the threads that push others buttons and then they bully the other members into such a state that they do not want to return.
You both know who you are...why don't you both get on with your lives and stop adding more stress and pain to others. This was and could still be a great site for all who want to share on ARTHRITIS.
After all, the forums are called "Arthritis Insight."
Errrr did I miss something? What the heck are you talking about?
I have been reading the threads and am just sick and tired.
I am just so sick of the OT posts where these two always end up attacking other members for their views. If you don't agree with them then you are uneducated, uninformed, etc...
I just wish we could feel safe coming here and not feel intimidated. I wish we would stick to the format this forum was built for...and I miss a lot of the old members ARTHRITIS INSIGHT.
I am new here and don't know how the sight used to be. I have a suggestion, post your own threads, in the formatt the way they used to be and email your buddies that you miss. And maybe don't worry about the other threads you don"t like. Just you and your buddies shouldn't leave scince us newbies need you.There's not much talk and help on RA like there used to be and should be since the sight was created for that very purpose.
Just a lot of hot air now...that's why so many left, which is really sad because you used to be able to come here and learn so much, as well as being comforted.
well i noticed another new member, she was going to search the boards for some answers. Thats why i came here afew days ago. And it does seem about every time i think of a question to ask someone has already asked it. i don't know that all get there answers or not. And sometimes it's just a bunch of us newbies on here all full of questions and no answers. But there is comfort here, i think people are afraid to answer medical questions. I personnally don't expect medical advice. I do like it when people share there symtoms, so i may know what to expect. I can't expect a bunch of people who don't feel good to just pamper me and answer all of my questions. But i put them out there anyway just to get it off my chest. People just chatting sometimes i guess does them alot of good scince they don't feel well and need human contact and freinds. But yes i would love all of the arthritis information i could get right know. Because i am so newly into it. As for fibromyagia i have plenty of experience and don't mind sharing my own experience and support as i know how miserable it can get. But please feel free to help us with RA, thats what we came here for and alot of new members keep joining. i have noticed that.i am going to go to bed for now. my hand has done alot more swelling today. How long does an attack of RA swelling last i guess more than six weeks, this is my first i am at 5 weeks. Anyway good night. Hope to here from you soon.
Hi Lisa, I haven't seen you posting for awhile and was wondering how you're doing. Hope that your meds are still working and life is treating you well.
Recently it's been quite pleasant on the forum and everyone seems to be getting along. There are always the negative off-hand topics started that are directed at one or two individuals, but for the most part it's been a quiet time on the forum. Of course there are the OT debates which are usually very informative and useful. If you read the OT threads about health insurance, ceasing smoking, you'll be pleasantly surprised at the useful information you can pick up.
The OT threads serve a purpose, and you may not see or understand what that purpose is, but for the members of the forum who participate on a daily basis we understand. In case you truly don't comprehend - it separates the non auto immune disease threads from the disease threads. The reason is, for people like you who find the non immune disease related threads "distastful" and "intimidating", then you don't have to read them because they're identified as being OT. If you read them and find them "distastful" and "intimidating" and they make you sick, then it's really no one's fault but your own, because you chose to read them. What is "distastful" to you might not be distastful to someone else. It's a matter of opinion.
Just a word of advice. It will make your next visit to AI forum more pleasant - no one can push your buttons unless you allow them to. It's all up to you. So come to the forum and post about your health, welcome and give advice to the newbies, and support the truly suffering on the forum and ignore the rest. Lindy
Well said ,Lindy. I thought we had solved this problem by listing O/T on the subject line. It's really true that you can't please all the people all of the time.
Myself, I need humor in my day. And something else to talk about besides RA. On this board, we get it all. It just seems so simple, if you only want to read about RA related subjects, then don't read the O/T's.
That's the problem...there's to many OT threads and not enough RA threads. Just because I do not post all the time does not mean I am not here everyday. So if you come here to just chat, why not PM each other.Lisa -
In the same thread that you said people are attacking others for their views, there are also apologies offered and accepted and people trying to explain a stand on an important issue to them.
From where I sit, Arthritis Insight is an amazing board. We've managed to find a way for most people to relate to each other and to help and encourage each other during the bad times.
Besides support, this board works hard at acceptance of alternative medicine, diet, and health and healing in general. They actually discuss current health care and politics in the news. People on this board are probably the most well informed and articulate RA audience out there. And this translates to whatever question is asked, somebody who pops in might know the answer and at least point the other person in the right direction.
So, if you know people that have left - ask them to check back in.
I'm proud to say I'm a member of Arthritis Insight.
Pip
Blessed, there are no unwanted posts or posters. I'm sure that there are others that agree with you. Because we don't agree on this particular thread doesn't mean that your opinion is any less valid than mine. There's room for anyone and everyone on the forum. That's the beauty of it. It even allows you to curse using characters.
Like Jasmine said, there's advice and support within the OT threads. They're not all just chitchat. Since I come to AI forum for insight and support I seem to find more of that than bulls#!t. I'm sorry that you find more bulls#!t than insight and support. I went back and read several months of your posts and each time that you started a topic you had a great response and many, many supportive and insightful repsonses to your topics. You were never ignored and people seemed to be genuinely interested in supporting you. I read both your insightful and your angry posts, and I much prefer your positive insight.
You have a lot to offer the forum and it would be beneficial to you and the other forum members if you continued to share your RA experiences and offered advice and support. Lindy
I have been coming to this board for ...hmmmm. dare I say nearly 8 or 10 years on and off...something like that. Many new people have joined, many of the original people I knew "way back when" have left and formed their own boards and I pop in and read occassionally.
With that stated, I have formed many friendships, read many true to life accounts of the struggle of this disease and the complications both physically and emotionally that it causes. I have read about good RD's and bad RD's and have encountered a few bad RD's myself. THis sharing of information has been of great value to me, yep, even the off topic information because it informs me. Education through individual experiences and information from those in certain career arenas are crucial to our survival both of this disease and of life in general; and I appreciate all the input.
Some posts go off base, mine have been a perfect example, posting about my sisters' grandchildren. That ws not RA related at all...but it was the joy I felt and wanted to share;joy does not come easy for those of us who struggle with this disease. My daughter post, another perfect example; she wants to move out of state and is researching it extensively. YEsterday she mentioned Oregon. BEcause I will more than likely move with her at some point and help raise my grandchildren it concerns me. I need to research the health care and availability of RD's,Primary care physicians and environment in Oregon. These are important issues for me to consider. YEs it is in the future for me but it is important that I learn about these things. How fortunate I am that perhaps , just perhaps someone reading these posts lives in Oregon and can help direct me in the right direction like in my post to people living in Canada. It makes a difference.
THen there is the fact that many physicians read these message boards as well offering help and guidance.Individuals from a variety of career choices ad their expert advice and that gives us all "heads up".
I cannot allow myself to focus entirely on Rheumatoid and all that it has done to deteriorate my body. I have to focus on other things as well for my own sanity.
I appreciate the OT's even when I do not post. I appreciate the prayers for my nephew ( not RA related) who is struggling daily with cancer. I appreciate the prayers and good thoughts to aid my brother and his family through this horrible time of his life even though it is off topic.
Each of us have our own idea of how a message board should be and sometimes that cannot be controlled. If you begin your own message board: that is wonderful, I really take my hat off to those that can dedicate so much time and effort and care for others to do that. I am unable to do that, but have great respect for those who do. I suppose it goes back to the old saying that if you do not like the conversation in a room ( or on a message board) don't go there, hang up the phone if you are being screamed at sort of a thing.
I do not intend this to be disrespectful, just knowledge. We can only control what WE do, we can suggest and try to influence and convince other people but when it comes right down to it we only have control over our own behavior.
I hope this helps you understand why many of us post OT, it is my account of why I do this and the insight and assistance I have gained from it is very valuable to me. Bear in mind not all OT's are appropriate on any message board.......but sometimes you have to put up with some of the crap life shells out along with the good stuff.
jode
Hi Milly, I'm new to this site also. I joined about 1 month ago. I too have RA and Fibromyalgia. You and I have a double wammie. I just lost 2 dogs in the last 2 weeks. One was 17 and the other was 12. Everything hurts. I think most of the pain is fibro, and my joints in my toes wrists and fingers hurt. Are you on Enbrel? Ive been on for about 4months and I'm not pain free, but it is a little more manageable. Let me know what meds you're on for the RA and Fibro. I'd like to be able to talk more about the RA, and find some answers to my questions. You can message me here. Take care, and God Bless you. Dotti51
Well I missed the bickering completely....and that's really unusual. O.o
Like Kelly(Jasmine) said, even the OT chat thread ends up being a bit about RA - every day. We can't "just PM" each otherk, because our conversations and discussions are with more than just two people at a time.
I dunno, I almost feel as if this thread was just made to rile things up. I've been very happy with the board lately.
I am new here also.
I was made to feel very welcome and told no matter the question it's never dumb and ask.
For me there is so much information here. Sometimes too much to take in so new into this. But also to me it felt homey. If that's the word. Welcomed. Like the posters wanted to get to know you for you and not just "someone" with RA. That felt good. And the OT if someone ask me about say my kids. And I can talk about them that makes me feel real good inside and sometimes that is the best meds for me.
I started one new thread when I first started. I don't know much but try and offer hugs and prayers because I know people sometimes are just down and need them. RA is more than just RA. If anyone knows what I mean.
Now I know to use OT if I ever begin a thread not related thanks.
Sorry...did not know that everyone was so happy with what the forums have become. I stand corrected. Was not trying to stir up the forums.Blessed I really don't understand what you're going on about. I still cannot find where anyone was bickering. Perhaps you could PM me, so I'm not so lost.
What do you mean by "the forums were going to be in a constant mediamorphoses" ?????
Honestly, I've never known an online forum not to be in a constant state of change. People come and go, and people themselves change over time. I tend to think of online forums as sort of like a virtual informal conversation - like you would have in your living room (like this forum), or in a bar (like the political forum I help moderate). You never quite know what's going to happen, who is going to show up, or where the conversation will lead - and that is part of the fun. Something stinks about his whole post
Pip
Whatever Phats...you would say that. You are one of the most combative members on here. Everyone has an opinion and the right to express it. This just happens to be mine.I know this isn't going to be received well, but I'm going to say it anyways. I think you need some time to evaluate your motives and thinking here. You started this whole thread with a very nasty tone. Everyone on here was very nice to you. In my opinion, someone should have ripped you a big one because you are way off base. But, that is my opinion. No one ever said that you couldn't post your opinion. In fact, I think you have been doing that. Additionally, you have been encouraged to stay and contribute to things. I stand behind what I said, you are stirring stuff up. I don't care what you think about me. I know how I have conducted myself on these boards as of late and I could care less what you think about my behavior.
Your emotions are all over the place. You are criticising everyone and then apologizing all over yourself. I'm sorry, but I think you need to get a grip on whatever has your feathers ruffled. You pull this crap everytime something gets in your crawl and quite frankly, I'm sick of it. If you don't like it, don't post, don't read it, don't come to this website. This place has been great for several weeks and I think you are just stiring crap up as usual. Maybe YOU need to get a life and find something constructive to do.
Phats
< =text/>_popupControl(); Bleargh. I have to agree with Kelly that forums change all the time as people come and go and people themselves change all the time. I haven't belonged to a forum yet that doesn't go thru changes. And I belong to 4 of them related to RA etc.
Sometimes there is bickering. Not everyone is going to agree with everyone. Even best friends sometimes have their little squabbles. Most of the time people here shake hands and call a truce. Even I just had a little squabble with a long time friend. We took it to PM's as not to shake up the board. End result...kissed and made up. With so many personalites and so many walks of life...it is virtually impossible to agree with everything all the time. It's just in the way that it is handled. Sometimes some things just need to be taken with a grain of salt too. Someone may just be having a really rotten day and things that are said just may not come out right.
Some people may post negatively about the pharmaceutical companies...insurance companies...hospitals etc. because all they really have had is bad experiences. That is really all they know. Until they are shown something different or experience something different than that...that is what they are going to post about. When you have one bad experience after another...feelings tend to be very strong about that. Even tho I have had mostly positive experiences with those things...I can understand that many people have not had such positive experiences that I have and really need to vent about it. Hopefully with me having mostly positive experiences in these subjects, I can shed some light and hope that one day they will find a positive experience and they can begin to heal from the poor treatment and poor experiences that they have had.
In the end it is the individuals choice on what to post and what to read. If someone feels a post has been made to rile up the membership, maybe just skip that post or post a positive experience that relates to the post.
Sorry Grammie,
But, I respectfully disagree. Lisa clearly posted to start trouble, that or she can't communicate with other humans. Either way, she got what she wanted which was a bunch of people posting to her lame thread. She is starting to remind me of Roxy.
Phats Lisa, I know this isn't going to be received well, but I'm going to say it anyways. I think you need some time to evaluate your motives and thinking here. You started this whole thread with a very nasty tone. Everyone on here was very nice to you. In my opinion, someone should have ripped you a big one because you are way off base. But, that is my opinion. No one ever said that you couldn't post your opinion. In fact, I think you have been doing that. Additionally, you have been encouraged to stay and contribute to things. I stand behind what I said, you are stirring stuff up. I don't care what you think about me. I know how I have conducted myself on these boards as of late and I could care less what you think about my behavior. Your emotions are all over the place. You are criticising everyone and then apologizing all over yourself. I'm sorry, but I think you need to get a grip on whatever has your feathers ruffled. You pull this crap everytime something gets in your crawl and quite frankly, I'm sick of it. If you don't like it, don't post, don't read it, don't come to this website. This place has been great for several weeks and I think you are just stiring crap up as usual. Maybe YOU need to get a life and find something constructive to do. Phats Mouthpiece, As usual, you don't have your facts straight. I have *never* posted to an OT-daily chat. That isn't something I participate in, but there are many others here who like it. So be it. I do read it from time to time and get a kick out of reading them. The solution was to label things that didn't directly have anything to do with RA as OT. That way, you don't have to read if you don't want to. Instead of bitching, why don't YOU come up with a solution? I don't have a problem with the way the boards are. In fact, things were quite peachy until you dug your way out of your sh*thole. You are psychotic, plain and simple. Go take your meds and settle your ass down. Ps, not *everyone* here is emotional. PSS, 95% of the time? Are you sure you can back that up? I don't think so. Go back from which you came. Blessed - Whao - you're crossing the line. Please, can we all just get along. Pip So, let me get this straight.... you want this board to be strictly
RA, nothing fun, uplifting. You just want medical related information
and everything else should be PM'd? I'm sorry, but that isn't the way
this board works. I hope it never goes to that. We are HUMANS with
RA. For most of us, it doesn't define who we are. We all have
significant issues surrounding our RA, but it isn't who we are. The chit-chat is what keeps some of us going thru the days/weeks. Phats You did have your "2 cents in." You are the one who needs help. You can't converse like an adult, you always have to act like a child. And "yes" I can back it up...I say 95%. OK, what is wrong with what I posted in Aug? Nothing that I can see. I agree that we need to have other things to talk about other than just RA. I think you will find it hard pressed to find a website that is just strictly RA. The others that I occasionally browse have topics other than RA. We are more than just this stupid disease. Why don't you start your own website? Apparently no one can do anything to please you, so you should really start your own. Then you can run it the way you see fit and you won't have to worry about the rest of us? What I said was that I don't participate in the daily chit chat. That doesn't mean that I don't enjoy other OT threads. That also doesn't mean that I don't read them just because I don't post to them. I'm done discussing this with you. I'm sorry, but you have major issues that need to be addressed. Normal people don't make posts out of the blue like this post. I don't care who you were talking to or referring to. You might have something constructive to say, and of course you have your own opinion, but your delivery leaves much to be desired. Phats Ok, here's my 2 cents. I really enjoy this board. I like the OT topics and I like the Ra topics. I read as many as I can and post if I have anything of value to offer. I, personally, like the OT chit-chatty posts because above all else I am a person who has the same daily struggles as any person has, whether they have RA or not. I choose this board over other chat type boards because we all share one common thread, Arthritis. This is my disease NOT who I am. I refuse to let this disease define my entire person. "Hi, my name is Steph and I have RA." But underneath that I'm a person who has a 2 yr old, pre-divorce issues and a variety of likes and interests. I find all I need here. As others have said read what you like. Don't read what you don't like. It's a choice. Yours! And also the choice of all others on this board to post OT topics when their inner person is more important than their RA person. Sometimes we all need to give voice to other things besides just being RA people. And this is probably why you see more OT posts than RA ones up front. It's not all we are. Lisa, while I disagree with your post, I appreciate you sharing your opinon with us. There may and probably are others who feel the same way as you do and you have brought this to light for all of us. That being said, my suggestion would be if you see an RA related thread that you would like to have posted closer to the beginning, why not "bump" it. If it's of interest to others, then it will most likely stay close to the top of the list. Petty bickering should be relegated to PMs. As to obnoxious posts, what I see is the pot calling the kettle black. There's an easy solution to this. Don't feed the trolls. Don't like it? Then don't respond. Easy. With no active mods on these boards, it means people have to comport themselves as, you know, adults.
Phats, there's no other way to say this but one way...YOU ARE JUST A BITCH!!!! Always have been and always will be. Since I have been a member you have been HATEFUL to everyone 95% of the time.
This thread was not directed at everyone, just a certain few and they know who they are (as far as the bashing goes).And yes I am emotional...as we all are. This forum is supposed to be about ARTHRITIS. Hence the words "ARTHRITIS INSIGHT". It is not an all around BULL sh*t chat room. I see to often where peoples posts regarding their RA have gotten bumped down due to needless conversation.
To tell YOU the truth I'm quite sick of it!!! You always tell people if you don't like it...blah, blah, blah...instead of trying to be a part of the solution your always part of the problem. When anybody has gripped in the past about too many OT's you have always told them if you don't like it blah, blah, blah. YOUR THE ONE WHO NEEDS TO GROW UP AND GET A LIFE!!!!
Meeemmmooorriiieeesssss
Like the corner of my miiiinnddd....
MISTY WATER MEMORIES!!!!!!
Hmm Phats...does this post sound familiar? It's yours from August...
And by the way...you did not have to read my post. Since all I ever do is stir the pot according to you.
Seek help. Weren't you the one raising HELL a month or so ago because people used words that weren't to your liking?
Do as I say, not as I do?
[QUOTE=JasmineRain]Seek help. Weren't you the one raising HELL a month or so ago because people used words that weren't to your liking?
Do as I say, not as I do?
[/QUOTE]
What are you talking about JasmineRain?
Do as I say, not as I do?
[/QUOTE]
What are you talking about JasmineRain?
[/QUOTE]
So sorry - I had you mixed up with another poster who was ragging about language. Again, sorry - I'll try to think more clearly before I post next time.
LOL - remind me not to post again after the Packers lose and I've had 2 beers
Takes notes for Nobel Prize contest re alcohol consumption.
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