Rheumatoid Arthritis

I was diagnosed with RA a few months ago.

Here are the reasons I hate it:

1.  "Oh, that's not so bad."
          This, or some form of this statement, is what I hear from most everyone I tell.  I understand that is not life threatening, I understand it could be so much worse, I understand that you look at me and don't see any illness, but don't tell me that being diagnosed with my second non-curable disease is "not so bad".  I'm hurting, I'm frustrated, I'm limited in my activities and I'm sick to death of doctors offices and blood draws and medication changes and being to tired to function.  Yes it could be worse, but to me it's plenty bad.

2.  It's forgettable.
          Because people can't see it when they look at me, it's easy for them to forget.  I am not lazy because I can't go on bike rides with my kids.  I'm not complaining about the crowds or the cost when I can't take my kids to Disneyland.  I'm not taking my state or the weather for granted because I can't hike.  My joints are stiff and swollen, five minutes of teaching my daughter to ride a two wheeler bit me in the butt for two days and my medications make me nauseated.

Other than that, and the fact that I feel like I got hit by a bus, I'm doing fine.  I also know that once we get my meds figured out I'll be doing even better.  But, right now, I'm frustrated.  And so, so tired.