A family member of mine that also has rheumatoid arthritis and I were joking about our plight the other day. We joked that while 'other' doctors we see (orthopedic, chiropractic, pain specialists) give us a range of treatments that help the pain or fix secondary issues caused by our RA, our rheumatologist state that this is your life, this is how you'll always feel, here are your scripts! LoL I have to laugh because although that sounds sarcastic there is a lot of truth to it! I saw my rheumatologist yesterday, and in many different ways was retold the fact that this is how I'll always feel and he doesn't expect it to get much better.
My rheumatologist told me yesterday that he doesn't expect me to ever feel much better then I do now. He doesn't expect me to be able to ever work a normal job like many people do. I was told that we need to hold off as long as possible on me getting my IV port because I will need it the rest of my life, (my veins have started to scar and several are not producing blood...which makes giving me IVs and drawing blood difficult). And I was told not to put too much faith in each surgery or procedure I have because I will only get so much relief with each one. It may sound negative, but it is the truth, and I do need to know the truth, the reality of life with rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia
My 'other' doctors seem to be there to make me feel better. They treat isolated joint and muscle groups to give me isolated relief, one by one. And I appreciate their effort, their positive, we can make a difference attitude. I need this too.
In truth, we need both. We need the realist. We need the doctor that doesn't sugar coat it and isn't going to try to simply make us feel better with their words. Much like in life we need those that will be honest. We need those that will tell us the hard unsettling truth. They tell us that the road ahead is going to be tough, that there will be ups and downs but that we have what it take to make the journey. In addition we need those doctors that will help make the journey a little bit easier. We need the surgeries and procedures that will take away a little pain or improve our function. We need the soft tissue work and relief of injections, acupuncture and chiropractic care. Just as we need those that will lend us a hand, give us a hug and be our friends as we travel the ups and downs of this great journey called life.
I had a doctor, my chiropractor, that I met in 2011 give me the best advice I've received in all of my years of being treated for RA and Fibromyalgia. He asked if I had a team in place. I said, uh, no. He said you need a team. Your team should ideally consist of a rheumatologist, a physical therapist, an occupational therapist, a masseuse, a chiropractor, an orthopedic doctor, a pain specialist and a psychologist. And possibly a nutritionist and acupuncturist. Best advice ever! That translates into life. We all need several different people on our team in this life. Each one of us needs people from different walks of life on that team, just as I need medical professionals from many different fields.
Our teams helps us get through the real stuff, the tough stuff, and through the ups and downs of this great journey called life! And they help us celebrate the good stuff! Do you have your team in place?!
~Jess
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