Do people take you seriously?

[Heather]

When someone finds out you have RA, do they realize how bad the pain is? So many people walking around moan about little aches & pains, calling them arthritis, I wonder if it dulls the perception of what people with RA are going thru.

[Mockingbird]

I don't think that people unerstand, I have good days and bad days. I also think there are doctors that understand but really can't do anything for you. I often wonder how much longer I will be able to continue working, somedays are very difficult.

[andrew25]

Well most of the people who knew how painful RA is would certainly take it seriously. Many of my family members would always inquire about my health and aches since they knew how painful it will be.:)

[naturelover]

I would state the one who are feeling just pain and calling it has arthritis should first go and consult a doctor. I do not want blame them for their moaning for simple pains. But this simple pain only takes one day to confirm with RA.

[kageyd]

"But this simple pain only takes one day to confirm with RA." You said this, and I don't understand. How can anybody confirm RA in one day? It takes a complete blood test, and often the results of the blood test are ambiguous or internally contradictory. What just "takes one day." I'm very new to RA, and my rheumatologist is making it clear that I may not know for sure for a long time whether what she thinks is RA really is. Thanks. Kageyd

[crimson]

One day for me is not enough to confirm if you have really RA and you have to undergo a lot of tests to confirm if someone has an RA.

[leighdu]

Agreed, it takes way more than one day to confirm RA. Sometimes it takes years if they are not looking trying to diagnose RA specifically, which is what happened to my sister. As far as the original question, I have found that those who do not have RA and are uneducated about it really do not understand. It's hard to explain the pain you feel to someone who thinks there is some magic cure out there or that you are not exercising enough or eating right. Other RA sufferers understand better than anyone else, which is why I love forums like these.

[naturelover]

But this simple pain only takes one day to confirm with RA.

My simple language put a doubt of the expression. What I really want to mention is "If we postpone in consulting a GP for the pain, one day it will lead you to get confirmed of having RA," by which time RA will control of one's body.

I feel sorry for the small bit of confusion. Anyway, I always want a permanent solution for RA.

[debby]

I know a lot of people dont take younger people with RA seriously, some of my friends and family dont.
I think they think its an old persons illness, and cos i look fine and trying to get on with things, that there is nothing wrong. They cant feel the pain or the exhaustion that goes with RA, oh i wish they could have my body for a few days
:D

[prasanth5]

Yes. People certainly take the sufferers seriously. They would be curious to know about the symptoms of the ailment. Only those who suffer from the ailment would be in a position to talk about the symptoms of the ailment and therefore they pay a great attention to what the sufferers say.

[crimson]

They have to take this seriously so that they will know how to handle it if in case their loved ones suffers from it or worse, they will be the one suffering it.