welcome Skittles!!!!!!
this IS a very special place; and like you mentioned "we do GET IT"...only those who live it {or are truly compassionate} really understand.
in many ways...RA & AI diseases are for the most part unfathomable to comprehend.
it ain't your grandma's arthritis i say.
Mary you are too funny!
people need to realize that autoimmune diseases effect the whole body & many organs & various systems...it's just not arthritis in joints.
i go nuts when my neighbor bosts about "how wonderful his glucosamine works! and how i should go on it because it'll work!"
ok thanks.
think i've downed more herbs, fish oild, SAME, glucosamine, etc...than i don't know who! this guy doesn't understand that RA is an immune issue.
smiling and nodding is working rather well i'm finding. LOL.
you take good care & we all look forward to hear from you!
join in on our "Moanin'" thread if ya like!...a place to go to "Moan" in the mornin'. 
peace/love
erin