rheumatoid arthritis?

[anniemae]

Does anyone have any experience with this? I have been having knee joint problems and have had x-ray's and mri, physical therapy etc. I just saw my ortho today and he wants to test me for rheumatoid arthritis. I am kind of shocked as I have heard this can be serious. What is the treatment? I know it is chronic and will continue to get worse (if i do have it), but how do you live with it? Is it debilitating?

He was concerned because I mentioned that my knees are stiff in the morning and my fingers also hurt in the morning.

Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[dejr_8]

My wife has a mild case of RA as part of her LUPUS.

RA is a very treatable disease. Look into the anti-TNF drugs (humira being one) that are very powerful treatments for RA.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

My cousin has the debilitating RA. It started with her when she was a teen and now she is in her 30's and while she still works, she is deformed from it. I would imagine her liver is what is going to kill her from all the drugs she has taken over the yrs to combat the disease.

My brother's GF has it and is fine.

If you do end up having it, I am sure it is mild and very treatable.

 

[brittsmum1998]

I've been on a combo of drugs including Remicade by IV once per month, methotrexate, ridaura (gold pills) and a couple of minor ones.

The most important thing is rest. Also try to get some form of excersize if you can. I've got it all over including my ribs/lungs.

I've had it for years. I know that they can do a blood test but in order for the test to come out positive you have to have had it for at least a year. I don't know if they've come out w/ new tests recently.

I have an excellant rheumotologist (sp) who is really up to date on the new meds. I actually get remicade at her office instead of hospital which is much more personal and comfortable.

I wish you luck .

 

[TnTsParty]

My DH has been dealing with RA and gout for almost a year now. It got really bad flared up last Nov and I had him go to a rheumatologist. She tested him for everything under the sun and the best diagnosis she came up with is gout and imflammatory arthritis. It has been kept under control for the most part with methotrexate and Allopurinol. She does want to start him on an injection but I don't know which one. I do know that he has to get his blood drawn and checked before each appointment as they need to check the levels in your system because the drugs can cause liver damage but without the drugs the joints end up becoming so destroyed that a person would not be able to function.

Good luck and keeping my fingers crossed it isn't RA. But the best thing is that if it is RA it is manageable but I do know it takes time.

 

[DeluxePrincess]

I was diagnosed with RA just this past spring. I suggest you seek help from a rheumatologist. They have the training and background on the treatments that will be best for you. I was told that one of the hardest parts of RA is finding the treatment that works best for you with minimal side effects. Your general practitioner may not be aware of the best treatments.

I first sought help from a rheumatologist when I woke up with severe morning stiffness in my fingers, feet, and knees. Some days were worse than others. Then, my knees were throbbing in pain for at least half a day and I had to walk the steps like I was 75 years old (I'm 40). I have been taking meds for RA since May and so far they are working well. My rheumatologist told me that I was lucky to get a diagnosis early so, although I may have to fight this for the rest of my life, the damage would be worse if I waited to seek treatment.

anniemae, I'm glad you started this thread. If it turns out you do have RA and need support, PM me anytime or keep the thread going. I'm kind of a newbie to it myself, but it's good to know you're not alone.

 

[Simba's Mom]

My wife has a mild case of RA as part of her LUPUS.

RA is a very treatable disease. Look into the anti-TNF drugs (humira being one) that are very powerful treatments for RA.

My SIL takes shots of Humira every week for RA. At first, it was difficult to think of giving herself shots. But once she discovered how much better the drug made her feel, she had no problem.

 

[brittsmum1998]

My DH has been dealing with RA and gout for almost a year now. It got really bad flared up last Nov and I had him go to a rheumatologist. She tested him for everything under the sun and the best diagnosis she came up with is gout and imflammatory arthritis. It has been kept under control for the most part with methotrexate and Allopurinol. She does want to start him on an injection but I don't know which one. I do know that he has to get his blood drawn and checked before each appointment as they need to check the levels in your system because the drugs can cause liver damage but without the drugs the joints end up becoming so destroyed that a person would not be able to function.

Good luck and keeping my fingers crossed it isn't RA. But the best thing is that if it is RA it is manageable but I do know it takes time.

My rheumatologist said that while the meds are always helping, it will only give you some good days not "all" good days. She did say that many people come to her "too late". Their major organs have already been affected from scar tissue due to the RA and there is nothing she can do to reverse or help this.

I think the earlier it is detected and medication started, the slower things will deteriorate.

 

[LBAK]

A good rheumatologist is the key. It took me years to find the drugs that work and I'm on methotrexate, azulfidine and Plaquinel (for Sjogrens syndrome). I've been on this combo for 5 years and I"m holding my own. During a flare we switch it up a bit and I'm on an anti-inflammatory every day.
RA presents symetrically. It usually effects both knees, both wrists, both elbows, etc. Take the time to get the right diagnosis and be patient until meds kick in, it can take a while.

 

[anniemae]

thanks everyone. I have basically been crying since yesterday. I made the mistake of looking up info and it scared me to death. I am almost positive this is what i have as I have all the symptoms, but am trying to just wait for the blood results. I am particularly sore and stiff this morning, barely able to get out of bed. I guess I just have to get used to it and be brave for my family, I don't want them to know how scared I am.

My ortho said that if the blood work comes back positive, I will need to go to a rheumatoidologist. the waiting is the worst, I just want to know so I can start treatment.

thanks again to those who took the time to answer me! I really appreciate it.

 

[DeluxePrincess]

thanks everyone. I have basically been crying since yesterday. I made the mistake of looking up info and it scared me to death. I am almost positive this is what i have as I have all the symptoms, but am trying to just wait for the blood results. I am particularly sore and stiff this morning, barely able to get out of bed. I guess I just have to get used to it and be brave for my family, I don't want them to know how scared I am.

My ortho said that if the blood work comes back positive, I will need to go to a rheumatoidologist. the waiting is the worst, I just want to know so I can start treatment.

thanks again to those who took the time to answer me! I really appreciate it.

I know how you feel. RA is also a tricky disease to get as far as bloodwork goes. My rheumatologist said that sometimes it doesn't show up in the blood, especially early on. At times, they have to diagnose you from symptoms, xrays and MRIs. If you are told you don't have RA, but the symptoms don't go away, please see a a rheumatologist! ((HUGS))

 

[FLAngie]

thanks everyone. I have basically been crying since yesterday. I made the mistake of looking up info and it scared me to death. I am almost positive this is what i have as I have all the symptoms, but am trying to just wait for the blood results. I am particularly sore and stiff this morning, barely able to get out of bed. I guess I just have to get used to it and be brave for my family, I don't want them to know how scared I am.

My ortho said that if the blood work comes back positive, I will need to go to a rheumatoidologist. the waiting is the worst, I just want to know so I can start treatment.

thanks again to those who took the time to answer me! I really appreciate it.

Hang in there. If you do have RA it is very manageable in many people. No matter what the blood test says, you may want to go to a rheumatologist anyway. I saw my Dr. for two years for my RA (it started after dd7 was born). He 'diagnosed' many things and put me on many meds but nothing worked. Finally he sent me to my rheumatologist (which I absolutely love) and she was able to diagnose me pretty quick. My RA bloodwork always came back negative but she said that happens sometimes. The other test she ordered were able to confirm it. Like another poster it took a little while to get the right meds and dosage. You will have bloodwork pretty regularly to make sure it is not affecting your liver. I started on methotrexate pills and then injectable and am now on Humira (pen injectable) and it is working pretty well. I still have some bad days, but overall the meds are working really well for me and I have very little joint damage. Let us know if you have more questions. Good Luck!

 

[NotUrsula]

Do you swim? It's very good exercise for RA patients because it is a good muscle workout that does not stress the joints.

Severe RA runs in my family. I haven't been diagnosed yet but I probably will be before too long; both of my older siblings have been. My mother spent the final 10 years of her life confined to a wheelchair because of it, as her ankles had collapsed sideways and prevented her from bearing any weight on them.

 

[anniemae]

Well, the dr. called me at home yesterday and I do have RA. I am devastated as I was trying to convince myself it was something else. I suffered a bout of platars faciitis recently and thought maybe it came back and was throwing my knees out of alignment. No such luck.

I will call a reumatologist tomorrow and try to get in asap as I heard it is good to get treated early. I am scared because I lived with the pain for while thinking it would go away, and it took my ortho doc a while to finally test me for it, after physical therapy and after an mri since he thought the fluid in my knee was from a torn meniscus.

I just hate this, but I am kind of happy to finally have a diagnosis so I can start treatment.

 

[cassiez76]

once you get med's you should start to feel better. i have PA (psoriatic form) and started on humira. it worked great on my joints, not spots. enbrel is also great.

 

[minkydog]

thanks everyone. I have basically been crying since yesterday. I made the mistake of looking up info and it scared me to death. I am almost positive this is what i have as I have all the symptoms, but am trying to just wait for the blood results. I am particularly sore and stiff this morning, barely able to get out of bed. I guess I just have to get used to it and be brave for my family, I don't want them to know how scared I am.

My ortho said that if the blood work comes back positive, I will need to go to a rheumatoidologist. the waiting is the worst, I just want to know so I can start treatment.

thanks again to those who took the time to answer me! I really appreciate it.

Awww. As you know (now) Google is not your friend. Stop looking stuff up until you get your labs back. If you're positive ther will be plenty of time to grieve, educate yourself and get on with things. Fact is, it is more probable that you do not have RA. I hope that is the case.

I had the whole workup a few years ago when I started having a lot of pain in my hands and feet. I have a strong family history of RA, so like you, I was scared to death. Then I really thought about it and decided that I was wasting a lot of time being upset about something that I didn't even know if I had. And as it turns out, I was negative. I have osteoarthritis, which is bothersome enough all on its own, but I felt like I dodged a bullet. Two of my sisters have been worked up too. One has OA like me and the other turns out to have RA. Now that she is finally being treated appropriately, she has MUCH less pain and MUCH more function. Sis feels like she got her real life back. My brother has had form of RA for about 20 years and has chosen to be unmedicated. He distrusts the medical establishment, so he has more limitation and much more pain than he has to have.

Thankfully,there is better treatment for RA than there has ever been. I hope you prove negative. Although, as my sister says, it's better to have a diagnosis than to not have one. At least you'll know which direction to go once you have your answers. Best of luck to you.

 

[DeluxePrincess]

I just hate this, but I am kind of happy to finally have a diagnosis so I can start treatment.

I felt the same way. I was devastated to get the diagnosis, but a bit relieved to know what was bothering me and that I could finally start treatment.

 

[arminnie]

Hang in there. If you do have RA it is very manageable in many people.

Forget the horror stories you read about on the internet. Treatment had made HUGE progress in the past 20 years.

I have several family members and friends with RA. Two of the men lived until 83 and 92 respectively. It is not a death sentence.

One of my cousins has had it for about 20 years. She was very young with a tiny baby when first diagnosed. She literally could not even change a diaper in the morning back then. Now she says it is almost not an issue as the treatment options have gotten so much better.

It is trial and error in the beginning - not an instant solution. But there is not reason that you should not have a long a productive life.

I know how it is to find out something is wrong with you. I got diagnosed with arrythmia (heart flutter) about 15 years ago. I thought I was dying. Honestly I probably don't even think about it once or twice a year now.