was diagnosed with ra six years ago. i am in sales and marketing so hthere is lots of lifting and walking and standing and talking and smiling and smoozing when i just don't feel like it. i've never liked people touching me. i was diagnosed with fibro two years ago. there's lots of hugging and hand shaking in my work. it hurts. i reading everything today, i realize that i'm very fortunate to have a wonderful family that helps me out. my employer allows my husband to come with me to work. he drives me around and sets up my booths when i can't do it. i give my kids my water bottles so they can open it for me. i'm not bragging, i'm just so sorry you don't have that. please try to speak to your family and tell them what you need. you need to make you first. you need to get your rest so you can deal with all the other stuff. i now take a muscle relaxer so i can sleep through the night. that made all the difference. i still have pain and have lots to deal with, but sleeping through the night helps me make it through the day. talk to your doctor about it. i'm sending you a big hug. *HUG* we all send you a *HUG* and want to help you feel better. do you talk to people at your doctor's office? that helped me alot to get ideas. look at the ra foundation website too. *LOVE* *HUG*View Thread