who has RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS??
i cant believe the stuff is sooo crazy, i hope someone can share pain relief secrets or something…someone who actually has it…thanks
nice to hear from everyone, im 27 years old and RA hit me real hard 7 months ago, about two weeks after the birth of my 3rd child, i first thought that i had slept on my shoulder wrong because it was a little sore, but within 3 days i couldnt move my arms at all, then like clock work, my arms, wrists, hands, knees, and feet all started to shut down on both sides of my body, and the pain was just unbearable, i was in and out of the doctors, thought i was suffering from post partum depression, and tried to put me on prozac lol, i refused to take it cus i had a feeling it was ra, because i watched my grama suffer for many years…….so within a month i was diagnosed, i was first given prednisone and it immediately cleared up everything except my wrists and hands, i have been taking prednisone and methotrexate, and i started on humira about a month ago, its only 1 shot every two weeks and i can already feel a world of difference!
My aunt had it, and b/c of the RA medicine they put her on (Methotrexate), it gave her a rare blood disease and it killed her almost 2 years ago, it sent her to icu for a month, and it shut down all her vital organs.. they shouldnt have medicine like that if its going to kill you. crazy stuff.
I do…I’m 44 and I was diagnosed a year ago, but I’m positive I’ve had it for much longer. I’m a 3rd generation R.A. sufferer. My mother has severe R.A. the worst I’ve ever seen, and her father before her. I’ve always said that this is the weirdest disease but crazy is a good word for it too!! I’m always tired, my hands and feet hurt 99% of the time, with occasional other areas…Can you tell me how old you are? What are you currently taking? I’m currently on methotrexate, Enbrel and prednisone, but I’m still having trouble. I have an appointment with a new (to me) rheumatologist next week in fact to see whatever options I have. I would love to talk more if you want. sarachmom64@yahoo.com. I don’t know if this has helped at all, but I know I would love to talk to someone who is experiencing what I do…
I am a 53 yr. old male, diagnosed with RA approx. 18 months ago. The onset of the disease was very sudden, beginning with a meniscus cartilage tear in my right knee (surgery was required) to a massive inflammation attack on numerous joints, that was so painful & debilitating that I was virtually bed ridden for about 3 weeks. Began with prednisone in large doses to relieve the inflammation, which made me real sick, but had some effectiveness, and methotrexate, which I still use, along with bi-monthly Remicade infusions. I also, unfortunately, suffer from a degenerative back condition, have had two surguries, and am on a pain management routine of narcotics, so the RA was an addition to a once active lifestyle which is now extremely limited. What helps me? Well, I know the meds do, to an extent, but light exercise (swimming, walking) are also beneficial, along with a positive mental attitude. Hey, I’m a professional guitarist & there are days that the RA prevents me from doing what I love the most, but I refuse to let it get me. Mind over matter does work! Also, make sure you’re in sync with your rheumatologist. A compassionate MD is a godsend.
Good luck!
I have RA for about 9 years, (that I know of), the pain is never ending. I became very ill three years ago, ended up in the hospital, a massive amount of steroids and antibiotics because it caused me to have pneumonia. When I came off the antibiotics they put me on Cytoxan (Chemo), but that didn’t help and I ended up with Enbrel, Prednison and Cellcept. I came down with a bad case of sinus infection and asked my pulmonary doctor to put me on antibiotics, since my Rheumatologist didn’t want me to do antibiotics. Then I found a doctor that treats RA with antibiotics and now I feel a lot better.
Eva
Have you also tried Remicade? I use it for my Crohns Disease, but its also for RA.