Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group one of those moments...

I had one of those moments yesterday - one of my workmates who I hadn't seen in a while asking 'Are you _still_ hobbling?!'. Not much else I could say to that other than 'Yes'.
While he meant well and did want to know how I was going, it was just the way he said it. For the last 2 months I have been walking like a 'normal' person, but it just happened to be that yesterday afternoon my knee started playing up. It caught me at a bit of a low moment as I have a suspicion that, between the knee and a couple of other things, the flare monster is sneaking up. I have been doing my NSD homework to start at the weekend, so will be interesting to see how this goes.
While most people know I have a type of arthritis they don't really understand the finer points. Which does at times make for some entertaining 'helpful' suggestions, such as amputating my problem toe since I 'don't really need it anyway'. What would be left if we got rid of all the bits that bother us?!
Just had to share, since I'm sure a lot of you have had moments like that.

Gosh Kurumi...I wouldn't have hardly anything left! I'm sorry that your fellow employee caught you at such a vulnerable moment, I know that can be discouraging but keep your head up and I hope you have wonderful results with the diet!

Hi,
We understand, while many others simply have no idea. Good luck with the NSD. We are glad that you are here.

Hi Kurumi - interesting on a bad day I could look like a block of swiss cheese. If it were only so simple as one pin point of pain. On the upside, do try the nsd it's greatly helped me. The only times I have issues are when I think I can have something I know I really should'nt. Try it strictly for 2 months and you will most likely never want to go off of it again. The trick is to make sure you get your iodine. One can't say the diet doesn't work when one doesn't check for starches...they are everywhere you wouldn't think they would be. You'll find you are eating healthier also to help give your body the nutrients to keep itself strong. Good luck and much success...Sue!

Kurumi,

One of my close co-workers dubbed me the "Tin Woman" and put a picture on my door of the Wizard of Oz's Tin Man with a pink bow on his head. So, I do understand the workplace...thing! I am alternately called "gimpy" and "bubble girl", depending on the time of year (allergies versus just normal pain). It gets a little old, but they mean well. But boy howdy, I HATE having to use my cane at work, as it sparks a chorus of "are you STILL having trouble??!!" or "what happened?!" They don't understand but they are caring. One of my other co-workers jokes that I just need to take Centrum.

the amputation thing reminds me of (a funny) story, though it was anything but funny at the time (one of the few doctor's visits that actually made me break down and cry).

woke up one morning and my finger was killing me. could hardly bend it. but after being up for a bit and moving it a bit, it felt better. as the month wore on it got worse and worse to the point that all day long it hurt and couldn't be bent. the hand surgeon who i was seeing for a wrist problem at the time told me i tore the ligament at the joint. of course i did nothing to tear it, simply woke up and there it was. when i tried to talk to him about it, he rudely stated,

"we could cut off that finger, and you would be just fine!".....
a doctor said that

so nothing people say really surprises me anymore

but if people mean well, i just let it pass.
if it is mean-spirited, i make a mental note not to open up to that person.
though sometimes they ambush you anyway, and staying clear of them isn't always an option.
then i just come here and share.

sue

My favorite is when my co-workers ask me, what did you do THIS time. Ok, other than my two knee surgeries, i didn't do ANYTHING. I have arthritis. I always tell them I hurt myself while I was beating the snot out of someone who asked me a dumb question. Some of them know I'm joking (although at times, wish I wasn't) and some just stare at me. Those people, never ask me again!

hi sarah,

i do compare notes with my friends.

my friend just broke her arm/wrist, cast comes off in 6-8 weeks: playing soccer, got kicked really hard, bones snapped.
me, ulnar wrist, damage to tendons, ligaments, 2.5 years later, still not completely healed: pouring a pot of hot water into the sink.

my friends appreciate the difference.

for others, sometimes i tell them the truth, love to see the looks on their faces. sometimes i make up stories. depends on my mood.

sue

I DID injure myself punching someone last year! Years ago, I used to do boxing and martial arts, and more recently decided to ask a particularly tough friend of mine if I could punch him in the stomach as hard as I could. I guess I wanted to see if I still had it. (I don't.) He agreed. Children: do not try this! So, I punched him, he said "ow" and I said something I can't type here. I had to go to the ER the next day because I thought I had broken my wrist. I hadn't, but it was very bruised. LOL

He, by the way, was totally fine.