I'm just wondering, which is more important to you....living longer, not shortened by RA or the meds, or living with manageable pain? In other words, would you be willing to bear more pain to live more years, or would you be willing to live fewer years but with a better quality of life?
For me, it's definitely about the pain control and quality of life.
NO PAIN DEFINITELY.... although still not before hubby!!Ray, what does that mean? Cause you're a guy you're supposed to be superman or something? If it hurts that bad, you cry. It's got nothing to do with manliness. Pain can bring anyone to their knees, period. Go ahead my man, if it hurts, cry and release some of the tension the pain causes.
Ray, would you believe my husband cries when he tells stories about old baseball players? Anyone who doesn't cry at some point from this disease is made of stone. Besides, crying supposedly releases toxins, so it's good for you!Live fewer years, but have better quality of lifei'm deffinatly with shorter life if it was pain free...thats a really good question i really had to think about it...for me it was an issue about how much time would really be cut of? if it was like 20 years i would consider dealing with the pain to then have the oppertunity to see my future grandchildren or my children achieve their goals
I think pain shortens life. It is one more form of stress. Inner GlowI have had this discussion several times with doctors during the course of various treatments. I would like my pain to be managed well enough so I can enjoy my family, and ,hopefully, do a bit more traveling with my precious husband. He has been right beside me through this and has shed many tears, because he can't make me better.
But, I do NOT want to be alive, bedridden, unable to move because of pain, and an emotional burden on my family. And when my time is over, I most certainly DO NOT want people to say "at least she is out of pain now"
Yes, it is rarely as black-and-white as pain free verus an extra 20 years.
I remember a couple of years ago my old PCP wanted to put me on one of the statins for high cholesterol. He could not understand that I was more concerned with additional muscle pain that with the possibility of cardiac arrest, no matter how clearly I spelled it out for him. I got a new PCP and started taking Zetia and plant supplements instead.
I actually dealt with this issue. I was concentrating on my heart issues, when my RA became bad.. I remeber posting on the Heart borad..(if I dont get this pain under control I'm not going to care if my cardiomyopathy is under control" If I cant control my pain, what its the point? Live to 100 and hurt every minute?
Managable pain..fine.. pain on a 7 or so every day ok.. its when I'm crying out with every move, sobbing into my pillow all night long, that another 20 minutes seems futile, let alone 20 years.
[QUOTE=Nini]And when my time is over, I most certainly DO NOT want people to say "at least she is out of pain now"
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