It is funny we have been talking psychology. Every two weeks, I get a conference call from Brett and a counselor. I really like her, I wish I could see her. Anyway, this is company paid as I am not the only RR wife that has issues with how much time we spend apart. Anyway, the counselor said something that really opened my eyes. She said- be careful - it sounds like you are using Brett like a treatment for your RA. Brett can't fix your RA and the pressure you put on him, trying to make you feel better could make his sobriety more difficult.
It hit me like a hammer. I really need to learn to deal with this damn disease. The counselor said it was not a good idea to move until we have learned to cope with RA in our relationship as it will only add more stress. That dissapointed me but there may be some truth to it. So what do I do? First step is I am going to try to find a support group. I have tried in the past looking for an ra support group but there are none in the area but I thought a chronic pain or disease support group might be out there. I prefer people that you feel have an understanding how you feel. That is not easy to find in a counselor. I think I have received a lot of that kind of support here.
I exercised today and so I am feeling really up. Exercise is like a drug to me, when I can do it, I feel so much more optimistic. I also got on the scale at the gym. I have now lost 12 pounds of pred. weight. That is enough to make my day
I kind of feel like you do...using my husband as treatment for my RA. I lean on him so much. But it is hard to deal with on your own. I think a support group is a great idea. I guess it's why I come to the boards...to get support that way. Face to face support may help even more though.
That is so exciting you have lost that prednisone weight!!! I need to get my butt to the pool! I miss my exercise addiction as well...it is like we need to grieve it's loss..at least for the time being
You sound better.
Try looking at the web sites for hospitals in your areas. They might list support groups.
Gee Ms. Roxy, you are sounding a whole lot BETTER! I'm so glad for you. Also, congratulations on the weight loss. I'm with Deanna being envious of your weight loss. I have to lose some weight soon. I got a really big job ahead of me,
You hang in there gal, Trisha ps. I think this post will bring me to 100, A senior member
But I was good girl and did my exercises.
The weight loss is huge for my self esteem. I don't know if it will work for you but I will share with you a typical day for my diet. Breakfast -Whole oatmeal, I put frozen berry mix while cooking then it does not need a sweetener or a smoothie For milk I put almond milk on cereal and in drinks. I thought almond milk would be so gross but my brother put it on my cereal when I was visiting, it is vanilla flavored and I swear - it is tasty. I have been trying to avoid dairy because I have read it can be a flare trigger. Lunch I either have a salad with tuna on it or half a bagel with lowfat cream cheese and salmon. Snack - either rye crisps with low fat cheese or sardines or hard boiled egg or any veggies or fruit that is in there Treat - health food ginger snaps - ginger is supposed to be antiinflammatory Dinner - a lean meat and all the veggies I want I also make a smoothie every other day that lasts two days. It has ginger, blueberries, low fat yogart, pomegranate juice and cherry juice, frozen bananas, protein supplement, and tons of other supplements and vitamins. juice popcycles for treats and a small square of dark choc. if I need a choc. fix Believe it or not, it is a tasty diet. Then I try to never go two days in a row without at least a walk. More strenuous exercise when I can and I can more often now that I am doing it in the pool. I hope this helps somebody. I have been losing about two pounds a week. Ten to go to feel pre ra but where I feel best - would be 20 pounds. I changed from wheat to rye and oats as wheat is supposed to be an inflammatory. I also don't eat potatoes, tomatoes, or peppers. Trust me, I am not bragging I am just happy it is working and hope it can work for someone else. Congrats Trisha on your AI promotion
Hi Roxy Congratulations on your weight-loss - your daily diet is so healthy. I was overweight all my life until 5 years ago (I'm 40 now). Talk about 'silver linings to clouds', it was actually my arthritis that finally motivated me into eating healthily and starting to exercise! (I kept falling over and my doctor recommended building up my leg muscles to prevent it and I knew I needed to improve my diet too.) Over the following two years my weight slowly reduced and my fitness improved. Way to go Roxy!
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