Just joined...took me a while

archaeobard
archaeobard Member Posts: 30
edited 23. Sep 2012, 05:10 in Say Hello Archive
Hi everyone, clearly I have just joined this forum. It's taken me a few years! My name is Kat and I was diagnosed with RA in 2001 when I was 26, so I've had it for 11 years now.

I have good support through my partner, but sometimes lately I've been feeling the need to discuss my disease with others of a like or similar condition since pain and increased disability has started to wear me down a little. I thought this would be a good place to start.

I read through a few threads as a guest before I signed up and people on here seem to be helpful and funny which are the two things needed most when coping with the ups and downs of arthritis.

I hope to enjoy myself on here, contribute and help if I can and generally hope to have found something I can turn to when I want to scream at the world and tell it all to go away. That's not to say I'll be blubbering all over the place, but I do think the forum may act as a pressure relief valve where at least I know people will be completely understanding of each other's issues no matter how trivial they may seem to someone without arthritis or other chronic conditions. Sometimes that might just be browsing around and seeing what is going on and having a laugh.

Anyway, I am glad to be here and now I am off to do some more browsing!

Kat
Pain's just nature's way of saying, 'Hey, you're alive!'

Ares in "Forget Me Not" from Xena: Warrior Princess.

Comments

  • knuckleduster
    knuckleduster Member Posts: 551
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello Kat

    Welcome to the forum and I'm sure you will find many virtual friends here, advice and support :D . I've got OA from neck to toe and have had one hip replaced already :oops: .

    It is difficult when you are having a bad day as you don't always want to complain to your husband/partner. Sometimes I feel like throwing a plate or two, but then I would have to clear up the pieces :roll: .

    Good luck with the forum - there are many topics from books, poetry ,jokes, etc. Hope to see your name again.

    Janet xx
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,697
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello Kat. We’re glad you’re here too. It’s a good place to be if you have arthritis with, as you’ve already found, lots of support and a fair few laughs too.

    I also have RA but I’ve had it for so long that I also have OA too. I was diagnosed at 15 but that was 51 years ago and the meds were nowhere near as good as they are now.

    Having a good, supportive husband or partner is a huge asset but, as you’ve discovered, sometimes it’s just nice to be able to talk to people who get the whole thing without having to have it explained. (Though, if you do want to explain it to someone, try googling The Spoon Theory. It’s very good.)

    There are some good, kind people on here and, through it, I’ve made some genuine friends. I hope you will too. Please join in anywhere. We don’t bite :wink:
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • tillytop
    tillytop Member Posts: 3,460
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello Kat and welcome from me too!

    I'm really glad you've found us - we are a friendly bunch and you will be made very welcome.

    Hopefully I'm not repeating what someone else has already said (I did read this thread in full but I'm a bit addled at the mo :roll:) but you will find that Living with Arthritis (LWA) and Chit Chat forums are where most people "hang out" so do just feel free to join in anywhere.

    Look forward to "seeing" you around.

    Tilly (another RA'er) xxx
  • archaeobard
    archaeobard Member Posts: 30
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks for the welcome. I've also got some OA in my knees that has developed over time Sticky. My right knee is basically bone on bone, but apparently I am too fat at the moment (to put it bluntly) for knee replacement according to my specialist....something else I am working on <sigh>. I got stuck in the 'it hurts, move less, put on weight, it hurts more, move even less, put on more weight' cycle. Trying to break it though. I believe talking about things will help with my motivation in general, so thanks all again for the welcome.

    Kat
    Pain's just nature's way of saying, 'Hey, you're alive!'

    Ares in "Forget Me Not" from Xena: Warrior Princess.
  • 7worlds
    7worlds Member Posts: 302
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hey Kat. Welcome to the forum. Im in the RA club too.

    7Worlds
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,332
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Kat

    Welcome to the forums from me too :)

    It's lovely to meet you. I think you will have plenty to bring to the forums yourself and should be a real asset.

    Of course you must have seen, (as you've been peeking for w while - I did too before I took the plunge!), this is a place where you can come at times and bawl your eyes out and get the support of your online friends - gives the family a break doesn't it :wink: We have been there or are there and so truly understand.

    A good laugh or distraction too - there is plenty of that on here mostly on chit chat. If you like reading we have a fairly new book-club and a cafe to just pop in to chat. Our word games might just stimulate the brain, but in my case I think not :roll:

    Anyway

    Lovely to meet you

    toni xxx
  • archaeobard
    archaeobard Member Posts: 30
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks 7 world and Toni. The book club sounds good. I love to read. I've got a library with around 2000 books and try to read at least one book a week from all genres and areas so I'll have a drop in.

    Kat
    Pain's just nature's way of saying, 'Hey, you're alive!'

    Ares in "Forget Me Not" from Xena: Warrior Princess.
  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,280
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Kat
    And a warm welcome from me
    Like you say just to be able to talk to people that understand some of what you are going through is a great help...
    We are a bit mad but that does help,
    I do hope to see you posting more very soon
    you take care
    Barbara xx
    Love
    Barbara