I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis 12 years ago (I am now 53), and have since developed additional symptoms. I have debilitating fatigue, unexplained fevers, a “butterfly”rash on my face, severe anemia, frequent nausea and vomiting, pain, numbness, tingling and swelling in my hands, fingers and one of my knees, headaches and “hazy” urinalyses. I have also had 2 hospitalizations (once for 3 weeks) this year for kidney failure secondary to dehydration. My rheumatoid factor has been positive since the time I was diagnosed, but I cannot locate any blood work where an ANA test was performed. My doctor is suspicious that I may actually have Lupus, because of some of these more recent symptoms, and the fact that I have yet to develop any deformity in my joints. I have been on methotrexate and Enbrel for many years. Can you give me an opinion? I do not have health insurance, so I am saving up to pay for the additional blood work I need. In the meantime, I am trying to get some feedback on these symptoms. I also suffer from fibromyalgia, migraines, and have had 5 surgeries on my cervical and lumbar spine. Thank you.

I am 28 yrs old and I can’t take the pain. My doctor wants to do a bone scan tomorrow and will probably start me one some rheumatic drugs. I am already taking the max on celebrx. I am always crying and cant seem to concentrate. I am also extremely fatique. I can seem to find someone to talk too. My best friend is busy with her 4 kids and my boyfriend is busy at work. I just called him and he could not take 5 minutes out of his busy schedule to take to me as i break down and cry.
I do not know what to do. I want the pain to go away. Please
help. I have always been a very upbeat person always smiling….now i can remember the last time i smiled and laughed.
Want to thank everyone for your support and help. Its truely comforting to know I am not alone.

please just tell me all you know about this diseases. i may have it, may not. can you exercise with it?-soccer player. and i need to know if you have to take meds for it, aren’t there other treatment options that have high enough regard to help?
thanks so much!
and i want to know if my kids will have it. what are the chances?

For the past several weeks I have had pain in my muscles as well as my joints. I take 10mg of prednisone daily and methotrexate injections once a week for the rheumatoid. For the first time ever, I have had pain in the area of my clavicles today.

Up until 4 months ago my mom would ride her bike daily, lift weights, walk on her treadmill, and do aerobics. Appx 2 hours of intense movement, 5 days a week.

She did this for years. She has a resting heart rate of 44, a total cholesterol of 127, and a non fasting blood sugar level of 92. Translate all of the above into fantastic health for a 20 year old let alone someone 64.

Now the woman who didn’t even know what a headache felt like can’t get dressed by herself without whimpering, or even hold a fork. She has been diagnosed with a severe form of rheumatiod arthritis. All her joints are so swollen she can hardly move.

But the worst is the dehydration. She drinks about 90oz of water per day and it doesn’t stick. She is constantly thirsty, her eyes feel grainy, her skin is dry and flaky, all symptoms of severe dehydration. Does anyone know how to make the water stay in the bodyto be used? What foods to suggest? What web sites or mediactions to research? Please help
Doctor says “here’s a prescription for Celebrex, try not to use it, the side effects are very dangerous. Best to use aspirin.” Aspirin is having no effect whatsoever. And Celebrex is very scary, she might as well put herself on the liver transplant list now…
Oh, and she juices vegetables everyday, eats virtually vegetarian – not even by choice, red meat puts her in horrific pain the next day – (she swears if she gets over this she will never eat salmon again)

i am 32 years old and have severe arthritis. I cant sleep at night or do the things with my kids that i want to do. are there any natural methods or remedies for it?

I’ve been having severe, sudden joint pain for several months now. It occurs about once a month, and lasts for 3-4 days at a time. It affects almost all joints of my body. It is also accompanied by tingling in my hands and feet at times.

I recently have taken an Allergen test and the physician is wanting to put me on immunosuppresive drops. However, I am concerned with what it will do to my RA? If you have taken the drops, tell me about your experience.

I have controlled RA and I am seriously considering becoming a vegetarian. However, I don’t want to if it means my joints will get even more shot etc…

Would I have to take supplements to offset the loss of meat?

I plan to ask my doctor tomorrow, but I didn’t know if anyone out there knows anything from personal experience.

Also, no mean answers about how vegetarians are lame a$$ people…this is a serious thread.

I gained about 10 pounds within a time period of approximately 3 months. I was then weaned off of the medicine, but in the past month have been put back on it, 40 mg a day. I am on the last few days of this cycle so hopefully it is the last time i will be taking prednisone, ever.

Has anyone had previous experiences with weight gain, if so how did you lose the extra weight and approximately how long did it take?
I look back on pictures from before the prednisone treatment and wish i could get back to having a thinner face, especially before junior prom at the end of the school year.