Rheumatoid Arthritis Community: Support Group

Undiagnosed RA

RA runs in my family. Father, mother and two sister plus various aunts, uncles and cousins. I just found out...

Posted by sandy46219

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R.A.

I was diagnosed 18 years ago with R.A. but have been remission for 13 years. I have recently been told my...

Posted by dillowsharon

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Reply: RA and Diet soda?

RE RA. i HAD PAIN IN MY LEFT LEG, THEN SOMEONE TOLD ME IT MAY BE THE SIATIC NERVE. IN A FEW DAYS, I DUG ITO A...

Posted by buudd

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Reply: New to Methotrexate and I am having MORE pain than...

Hi irisheyz52, I think that it would be best for you to speak with your doctor about this worsening pain...

Posted by atti_editor

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Reply: Methotrexate Side Effects

There are several things that may help mouth sores. If you take Folic acid you could ask for you dose to be...

Posted by ladylee1115

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Reply: RA and disability at school

Hi, I am sorry to hear that you have RA. I have degenerative arthritis, just found out last week and...

Posted by artistjcbebe321

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Anyone with Degenerative Arthritis??

Hello, I am wondering if any one with degenerative arthritis and what career do you have? Is this current...

Posted by Anon_23422

Hello,

I am wondering if any one with degenerative arthritis and what career do you have? Is this current job better for you comparing to others in previous?

I have degenerative arthritis since all my life without realizing that, and I am only 33 years old, will be 34 next month. I recently found out from the doctor last week. Reason, I had an accident with the box hitting on my collarbone and shoulder in the freezer room 3 weeks ago, by picking up the box that had white cakes in it. I am a cake decorating. Now, I cannot do the cake decorating probably for 8 weeks.

I am an artist by heart, and passion. I am a painter, and a comic artist and that is my side art business. I just got the new job as a cake decorating three months ago.

As the doctor order that I cannot drive with both arms due to my right arm that is injured needs to rest, and avoid much of movement till I get recovered. So, there is not much for me to do at Wal-Mart that is where I work as a cake decor-- my boss does not have any thing to offer me to work as a temporary job except hanging clothes and cleaning.

I did try with cleaning, it was so pressure on my arm side even I did not use it, mostly using my left arm, and that was big impact and I was in pain later at night and the next few days.

The same thing goes with hanging clothes with just left arm. So now doctor orders, my left arm cannot lift anywhere overhead. It has to stay down as long it has to be all under the level at my ribs. I thought of computer job related such as typing, data, shuddering papers... something simple..

But no, there is nothing except cleaning, and hanging clothes and that I HAVE TO WORK. I am so frustrating, and my boss seems does not get it.

So, I am serious reconsidering a different career however I am not sure if I am over reacting with degenerative arthritis because I am still in shock with the news and I am upsetting especially I am an artist mainly in my right hand and my right side is disable for a long while!! I cannot drive, I cannot lift things with the left arm, and I cannot do a single damn thing!

Not just degenerative arthritis, I have issues with the bursa itself that is not firm enough between bones. It is in my spinal, and both of my shoulders. That explains why I often feel pain on my spine all the way down, and a huge headache.

If I just try to overcome with doing things, I get the suffering from the pain all night, and the next few days. There is no win-win unless I change the career???

Please advise, Thanks so much!View Thread

Posted byAnon_23422

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Reply: In so much pain and no one can tell me WHY!

I understand the pain that you are suffering right now. However since the doctors knew better about your...

Posted by cjonathan675

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RA?!

have polyarthritis in all my joints. i have mild swelling in my joints except my elbows. mostly effected are...

Posted by fnfiacco

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Reply: ALL 3 OF MY DISEASES

Vitamins aren't going to do a thing. Don't waste your money. My hunch is that since you're not taking the...

Posted by ca_lynn

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Reply: Has anyone tried Omega XL?

thanks stevan for your comment. I am in extreme pain. Side effects? I m not taking such supplements...

Posted by david_gomes

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Reply: Dietician or Nutritionist Referral

Hi dgraha2, This article has some foods and diet plans that may help with RA inflammation. I...

Posted by atti_editor

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Reply: So confused, thoughts anyone?

It sounds like your doctor is not listening to you. I feel as we are the ones suffering with rheumatoid...

Posted by gurlly

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The Pain In My Left Foot

It'd hadn't been very long since I've had these symptoms. Every morning...when I get up out of bed to stand...

Posted by krystalon

It'd hadn't been very long since I've had these symptoms. Every morning...when I get up out of bed to stand on my feet, it just hurts for me to try to walk on my left foot!

The pain happens to come from the bottom of my left foot at the arch. It was nothing that I'd done...it'd just started hurting, just out of the blue! I was concerned that maybe it might be from consuming a lot of soft drinks...or just plain fatigue!

I'm only 39 years old...could it be arthritis? I'd never thought of myself as suffering from arthritis! Could my body be just now starting to age? Could this just be a sign...meaning that the time has come for my body to begin aging?
If so, I sure wasn't not expecting it!
I mean, I'm practically not able to walk as fast as I had before. I feel like I can't even run. I could literally feel the pain in my foot as I walk. It seems to hurt all the more as I get up in the morning to stand up. I practically stumble as I walk! I clearly cannot walk normally!

Then, after a few hours of standing and walking around...the pain isn't as intense. But, then...if I happen to had just stood up on my foot from sitting a couple of minutes, then...that's when the pain starts up again.
I dread it...with a passion! I wish it wasn't the problem...but, it is...and it may not go away! However...it could be helped if I take a certain pill. I could take medication to try and make the pain go away...but, usually, medicines just don't work, t all! I simply believe that meds are just invented...they don't really help symptoms! Medicine don't really heal the consumer. Meds are just simply taken, aren't they?
Meds really don't do anything...they are just taken, and people just simply hope that there will be some kind of hope!
But, the meds that really 'do' help...are so unaffordable...that for those who really need it, are not able to get access to it!

It's just simply shameful...that that's how society is, today!View Thread

Posted by krystalon

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:The Pain In My Left Foot It'd hadn't been very long since I've had these symptoms. Every morning...when I get up out of bed to stand...

The Pain In My Left Foot

It'd hadn't been very long since I've had these symptoms. Every morning...when I get up out of bed to stand...

Posted by krystalon

It'd hadn't been very long since I've had these symptoms. Every morning...when I get up out of bed to stand on my feet, it just hurts for me to try to walk on my left foot!

The pain happens to come from the bottom of my left foot at the arch. It was nothing that I'd done...it'd just started hurting, just out of the blue! I was concerned that maybe it might be from consuming a lot of soft drinks...or just plain fatigue!

I'm only 39 years old...could it be arthritis? I'd never thought of myself as suffering from arthritis! Could my body be just now starting to age? Could this just be a sign...meaning that the time has come for my body to begin aging?
If so, I sure wasn't not expecting it!
I mean, I'm practically not able to walk as fast as I had before. I feel like I can't even run. I could literally feel the pain in my foot as I walk. It seems to hurt all the more as I get up in the morning to stand up. I practically stumble as I walk! I clearly cannot walk normally!

Then, after a few hours of standing and walking around...the pain isn't as intense. But, then...if I happen to had just stood up on my foot from sitting a couple of minutes, then...that's when the pain starts up again.
I dread it...with a passion! I wish it wasn't the problem...but, it is...and it may not go away! However...it could be helped if I take a certain pill. I could take medication to try and make the pain go away...but, usually, medicines just don't work, t all! I simply believe that meds are just invented...they don't really help symptoms! Medicine don't really heal the consumer. Meds are just simply taken, aren't they?
Meds really don't do anything...they are just taken, and people just simply hope that there will be some kind of hope!
But, the meds that really 'do' help...are so unaffordable...that for those who really need it, are not able to get access to it!

It's just simply shameful...that that's how society is, today!View Thread

Posted by krystalon

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RM

how many times can you get septic RM?

Posted by An_258937

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New here

Hi all! I have been on every NSAID known. They work for a while then nothing. Finally!!! My Rheumy has...

Posted by sissen1899

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Includes Expert Content

Reply: Anyone using Actemra

I started Actemra four days ago. Remacaid and Orencia didn't work. I'm on methotrexate and meloxacam. Have had...

Posted by orange28

22 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Anyone using Actemra I started Actemra four days ago. Remacaid and Orencia didn't work. I'm on methotrexate and meloxacam. Have had...

Reply: IS THIS RA?

Hi buudd, Here are some symptoms of RA that you may want to look through. The best thing for you to...

Posted by atti_editor

Take the Poll

IS THIS RA, OR CAN IT BE ANOTHER PROBLEM. I STILL WORK OUTSIDE AND IT GOES AWAY. (USING MATTOCK, BENDING OVER A LOT.... THANK YOU

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:IS THIS RA? Hi buudd, Here are some symptoms of RA that you may want to look through. The best thing for you to...

Reply: New to RA

Methorexate is a cancer drug. Why can't the rheumatologist put you on that? Also Rituxan is used for...

Posted by newportrilady

Take the Poll

Am I crazy

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:New to RA Methorexate is a cancer drug. Why can't the rheumatologist put you on that? Also Rituxan is used for...

Reply: Scared with advanced RA diagnosis

Most biologics have copay assistance cards. Sometimes pharmaceutical reps leave samples at your doctors...

Posted by newportrilady

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husband with RA

Last year, at the age of 28, my husband was diagnosed with RA. He is currently taking methotrexate, humira,...

Posted by An_258793

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IS THIS RA?

Dear Madam or Sir, My symptoms are: pain radiating from left hip down leg to ankle. (seems in bone) ...

Posted by buudd

Take the Poll

IS THIS RA, OR CAN IT BE ANOTHER PROBLEM. I STILL WORK OUTSIDE AND IT GOES AWAY. (USING MATTOCK, BENDING OVER A LOT.... THANK YOU

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:IS THIS RA? Dear Madam or Sir, My symptoms are: pain radiating from left hip down leg to ankle. (seems in bone) ...

Reply: Newbie with RA

One of my normal, every day, symptoms to my RA is that I'm really tired and weak. A common side effect of RA...

Posted by An_258731

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Newbie with RA One of my normal, every day, symptoms to my RA is that I'm really tired and weak. A common side effect of RA...

Reply: afraid to start methotrexate

I have been doing acupuncture for about month. I've been having good results.

Posted by rhorho5

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Reply: RA Manifested in the Lungs

The first thing I learned about RA is that everyone is different. I had intermittent joint symptoms until my...

Posted by redherr

The first thing I learned about RA is that everyone is different. I had intermittent joint symptoms until my mid-30's when it manifested in a full-body flare resulting in my diagnosis. Within three years, I went from daily jogging to barely walking. Then, at 39, I suffered a massive PE and during the treatment, they discovered I had nodules and fibrosis in my lungs. Meanwhile, none of the standard treatments for RA had any effect on my disease. I survive on Prednisone (20mg) and pain medication, and probably will for the remainder of my life. It sounds to me like your doctor(s) are approaching your disease the best way they can by targeting the problems in the lungs. I would say that they must be doing the right treatment because your breathing has improved. With RA of any form, improvement is the ultimate goal. The downside to turning down an over-active immune system is that you are especially vulnerable to infections of the lung. What is a minor cold for most, will leave you struggling to breathe. My advice is to get your annual flu vaccination and do your best to avoid contact with people who have colds/flus. You will catch things and have setbacks, but if you pay attention to your symptoms and get treatment when needed, you will be able to avoid further complications. I also advise you to be vocal, ask your doctors questions, so you can better understand the treatments and your prognosis. And ask your doctor if there are other options or why he/she chose this treatment. The hardest part is that improvement is a very, very SLOW process. Although you would like to be off Prednisone, it may take time. (Note that 5 mg is a very low dose and many people live on it with few problems.) I also strongly recommend deep breathing exercises such as those done Mindful Meditation or Yoga. There are free videos available on YouTube to help show you how. I have used hem to reduce hyperventilation and increase lung function. Learning to breathe slowly also reduces the anxiety faced with shortness-of-breath. I am sorry to hear you have to deal with this harsh version of the disease, but know you are not alone. It is hard, but when we learn to cope with the changes in our life, it gets easier to accept.View Thread

Posted by redherr

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:RA Manifested in the Lungs The first thing I learned about RA is that everyone is different. I had intermittent joint symptoms until my...

Biologics- Thank God for Remicade

Hi, I am new here, but want to pop in with some feedback for you. I have been on Remicade for close to a...

Posted by create2live

Hi,
I am new here, but want to pop in with some feedback for you.
I have been on Remicade for close to a year. I tried Humera first, and it didn't work for me.
My brother was also on both, and though Remicade helped, it did not do enough and he began having massive migraines that never went away, so he stopped and is working with doctors for other solutions.
I have some side effects with the Remicade, but considering the fact that for the first time in years I can go to family functions and so long as I am careful and don't over due, I actually enjoy myself, they are worth it.
Biologics are not for everyone, but if your RA is bad enough that you were referred to them, I would try it out.
The other thing to know, is that if you are on one of these, you do need to be aware that your immune system is being suppressed- that is how they work and what they are supposed to do.
However, I am on the top dose of Remicade, and I haven't had much in the way of issues. I do see that things like a scratch takes a little longer to heal, and I have learned not to take herbs and vitamins to boost the immune system (duh! lol) . I also stay away from people who have colds, flu etc.
I am still having issues due to fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis, but my AS, which is very similar to RA as it is an inflammatory arthritis that strikes the whole body with a focus on the spine and connective tissue, is under control. I am delighted by this as a year ago I spent most of my time is such overwhelming pain I could not walk or even make a pb&j sandwich in one go. The inflammation in my pelvis and low back would not allow me to stand for that long. Now I can do all sorts of things that I thought would be gone forever. I thought I was going to be in a wheel chair shortly.
So yes, there are issues, but oh my dear Goodness, there can be blessings.
Good luck to you.
Kind regards,
AnastasiaView Thread

Posted by create2live

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Reply: muscle cramps

Thanks! I will give the pickle juice a try. You have RA? Is it under control? How do you know it is under...

Posted by wendyj12

3 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:muscle cramps Thanks! I will give the pickle juice a try. You have RA? Is it under control? How do you know it is under...

Reply: Starting Humira

Hi there Biologic drugs are a real breakthrough. If you are ill enough to qualify and your specialist...

Posted by mike201

3 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Starting Humira Hi there Biologic drugs are a real breakthrough. If you are ill enough to qualify and your specialist...