Hi!
I was wondering if anyone can either share some tips or direct me to a
helpful source on dealing with intimacy issues with a partner who has RA.
Obviously, I'm talking to him about it too, but I'd like to be able to suggest
some things to make it better. This is admittedly a rocky issue for us, and
I'm sure lots of you have ideas on how best to deal with this, talk about it,
etc. Feel free to PM if you don't want to say anything too personal or
graphic here.
Thanks!
-sk
Okay..at the risk of upsetting a few peeps here I am going to "name drop" just becuse I am not the expert on this, but I know where you can get some good advice. Check out www.rasushi.org and go to the "Love in an elevator section". There are threads posted on this topic, and there are a few married men with RA that post and reply regularly on the topic. One of them also has his wife post from time to time and they are great on this topic.
Hope this helps, sorry I didnt have more direct info for you.
Hi Starry welcome to the board. RA and intimacy is a huge issue for couples. Not like it isnt for people without RA and now lets throw in this nasty disease.
I am the one with RA in my family and my husband and I have been thru some intimacy issues. The best thing I can tell you is to always have open honest conversations about it. It would be more helpful for me to help you out if you let me know what kind of intimacy issues. You do not have to publicly post them. Send me a PM if you are more comfy that way. I have done a lot of research and some writing about RA and intimacy issues. I have been married for 15 years and it is still a huge part of our lives and I want to keep it that way.
What you and your husband are experiencing is very normal for couples that are dealing with RA. Send me a PM and I will be glad to help you out the best I can and talk with you about this.
starrykitten,
This site might give you some helpful info:-
from the UW Medicine - Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine website.
Also::- http://www.arthritis.co.za/intimacy.html
"Intimacy in Arthritis" by drdoc on-line
Another one for those specifically suffering from spine and neck problems:-
http://www.spine-inc.com/glossary/s/sex.htm from the website "spine inc."
Starry, it is the drugs and pain that weaken the body and erode the interest of intimacy. Even your partner is willing it lacks of concentration and the blood in your partner's body is not excited to get amorous - no power anymore
I take wild lingzhi and I realise I have a power of a "tiger" for intimacy and yet it reverses the disease, rejuvenates healthiness WITHOUT drugs. In fact this herb is so precious and a treasure.
Once your partner improves the body health than intimacy will come naturally
Good luck!