I may have Rheumatoid Arthritis, what can I expect?

To start you off, here's a link for the Arthritis Foundation's homepage. It's quite informative, and you should find it very helpful.

http://www.arthritis.org/conditions/DiseaseCenter/...

My sister and I both have RA, and it affects of us differently. That's something you need to keep in mind-no one can predict the course of your disease, the meds that will work for you, or how well you'll cope with this. That's why it's so important to discuss every little thing with your doctor. Tell him what works, what doesn't, how you feel. All of this is very important in determining your treatment.

During your first visit, your doctor will take a complete history, discuss your treatment options, and probably take X-rays as well as perform additional lab tests.

I take 17.5 mgs of methotrexate once a week, along with 5 mgs of prednisone daily, and 2400-3200 mgs of ibuprofen. Currently, I am in the midst of a major flare. What this means is that I am frequently fatigued, and my joints are swollen and painful. You are familiar with what this feels like. Take heart-there are better days ahead once you begin treatment.

If you are prescribed methotrexate, you may experience some side effects. These aren't so bad, and easily offset by the addition of folic acid in your diet. I take 400 micro-grams daily, and this seems to help. Talk with your doctor about folic acid if he should happen to prescribe methotrexate.

Side effects include nausea, although I rarely vomit. This is worse in the first few weeks. Once my body became used to this, it became less of a problem. When the nausea threatens to overwhelm you, try a few bites of applesauce, yogurt, or a pudding cup. For some reason, a bit of something sweet and smooth seems to cut the nausea immediately. If you've ever had a child, this is very similar to morning sickness.

Fatigue. Not only does RA make you tired, the methotrexate will too. If you are prescribed methotrexate, take it on a day that you can dedicate to rest and relaxation. If you work outside the home, dosing on the weekend would be best.

Hair loss. Minimal, and only for the first few weeks. I've stopped losing my hair altogether, now it's simply a little drier than normal.

Mouth sores/sore throat. Both can be relieved by gargling with salt water. Again, once my body became used to the methotrexate, this became less frequent.

If you are prescribed methotrexate, you will need to have monthly lab work done to keep track of your liver function.

Prednisone also carries the risk of side effects. The most noticable of these will be weight gain. When I am taking 5mgs or less, this isn't a factor. But when I was taking 80 mgs, my weight soared due to water retention. As my dosage was decreased, the weight literally melted off. I have enjoyed a 76 lb weight loss in just 8 months. Most people don't gain so much, but I was on incredibly high doses for an extended period.

My sister takes Plaquenil, and thus far has experienced no side effects. However, due to potential eye problems, plaquenil patients must have an eye exam performed twice yearly.

How does RA affect my life, and that of my sister? In vastly different ways. She is older than me by 13 years, and has had RA for the past 5. She practically runs everywhere, has boundless energy, continues to work and has minimal pain and swelling. Her disease is much more mild, and affects only her feet and hands.

My disease affects every joint in my body, including my jaw and the bones of my inner ear. I don't have much energy, I hobble, and I don't work. My doctor has disabled me, and I have begun the process of applying for disability. I've been sick now for slightly less than 2 years.

I have some joint damage. My toes on my left foot are sliding out of place, as are the fingers on my right hand. Some fingers are becoming twisted. Surprisingly, this isn't painful.

I occasionally suffer pleurisy, which is an inflammation of the sac surrounding the lungs. I currently have a cold, and have been having pleuritic pain for the past few days. If this happens to you, try to take shallow breaths. It helps.

RA is also a disease of the connective tissues and will affect many parts of the body. You'll find that sometimes your muscles ache, and that your veins look and feel like chords. This is normal and nothing to be frightened of.

You'll have days when you can't do what you would like, can't lift anything over 5lbs, and would like to crawl back into bed. If that's how you feel, then do it. I nap daily and it has been a real life saver for me.

I've also found that if I take my prednisone at bedtime rather than first thing in the morning, I wake up with much less stiffness and pain. Days are easier to face this way. My doctor recommends taking prednisone in the mornings, but sees no reason why I can't do what works for me.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a serious illness, but it can be managed. You will learn to live with it just like we all have. You'll find little tips, tricks, and shortcuts to help you through your day, and you'll find that on most days, life's pretty good. Good luck to you.

For more information about methotrexate:

http://arthritis.about.com/od/mtx/Methotrexate_Dos...

For more information about prednisone:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmas...

For more information about plaquenil:

http://arthritis.about.com/od/plaquenil/Plaquenil_...

The above links for methotraxate and plaquenil include loads of information on various arthritis drugs. Most everything you need to know is in the links provided.

Applying hot or cold compresses can provide pain relief in some cases of rheumatoid arthritis. While using this way of relieving pain, remember that ice lessens pain and heat loosens the joints and increases blood flow.

Include balancing exercises in your regular schedule. The two good balancing exercises are water aerobics and Tai Chi. This is because balancing is an excellent way to develop strength without putting unneeded pressure on the joints. But stop the activity immediately if you experience joint pain. Consult your physician if the pain persists for over 2 days.

Imagine for a moment your arthritis completely vanishing right now.

If, in a moment, your pain and stiffness melted away. And your joints all of a sudden functioned like a well-oiled machine.

Like a magic wand was waived, you'd be able to jump up from your chair and run around the room like a kid.

And imagine that you'd never have to suffer as much as a pinch of arthritis stiffness or pain ever again.

I know this sounds impossible right now, but bear with me, because sometimes miracles happen.

It was a gift from a woman on the other side of the world. From the kindness of her heart, she took pity on my suffering and taught me how to completely reverse my arthritis.

Today, I want to do the same for you!

Hi There.

First of all my advice is DON'T WORRY. There are many types of Arthritis and the symtpoms you describe could be typical of several of these types. The Docs took blood and did Xrays to pinpoint your condition. I am 29 and have a type of Arthritis called Ankylosing Spondylitis (or A.S.) which is very manageable and treatable. A lot of Arthritis conditions are treatable so don't despair. Wait until you find out more. In fact, the MORE you know the easier it can make it as knowing more about your condition allows tou to deal with it and handle it more maturely. Wikipedia has lots of useful information/articles of RA and other types of Arthritis. Good luck to you...

I am sorry to hear that your loved one has RA, especially at such a young age. RA can often hit hard and fast; and if the progression of the illness is not managed, it can degenerate into joint deformity. And when this happens, you can reverse the damage that has been done. I'm not trying to scare you about this but it is what has happened to me. I lost the full range of motion for both my wrists joints; and there are now so little things I can actually do. Life is never normal again for me. I cannot enjoy the things I love to do in the past and I have to find some ways within me to come to terms with this. So, for your friends, my advices are: (1) Seek aggressive conventional treatment as soon as possible to prevent progression of her RA. (2) Join RA communities and support groups online. You are sure to gain a lot of advices and emotional supports out there because we tend to understand one another conditions. I myself has RA and I have a personal blog that features my story and journey and what I do to get well. There are many other blogs and discussion groups out there for sharing experiences and tantrums. (3) Try out complementary and alternative treatments towards healing her RA. If a cure is never possible, she should at least work towards a remission. (4) RA is very crippling, depressing for the sufferer and she needs a lot a lot of motivation, support, encouragement and a shoulder to cry on. (5) The person plans on marrying her must accept her illness, understand what she is going through and what she may have to go through in life, be supportive every single time and ready to do a lot of chores (that she cannot perform) on her behalf. One who loves her enough should be willingly do anything for her despite her condition. I will pray that her RA is non-active and will be in remission (which does happen).

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Rheumatoid arthritis is a long term disease which is caused when the immune system attacks the human body. More information on RA, home remedies and treatment available at http://www.aches.in/jointpain.html

pain in the joints

i prsume ur between 25&35`---a friend of mine had this``and she suffered with it regulary untill she had a BABY.now it has gone`