I have had RA for 5 years & despite prognosis I'm doing

I too was under the impression that my arthritis was mild compared to the other patients I had seen at my clinic, but after being taken off my anti inflammatories after a recent DVT I realised just how bad my condition was. I too have had RA for almost 20 years and my flare ups are always \"acute\" in the words of my consultant, but I fight on a daily basis to try and do all the things that I would do if I was \"normal\". I still go to work, although I do not know how long I can continue to do so, but the thought of losing my independance drives me on. One thing I find particularly humiliating is the fact that in recent months I am unable to do the simplest things such as washing and dressing myself. So in answer to your comments, never think that you are not as bad as others, if you were to stop your medication you would realise that you are as bad as every one else with this demoralising condition and that it usually gets worse as the years go by and in my case has caused damage even though I have been on the most toxic of treatment and suffered side effects as a result.

,\" mainly in the hands and feet,\"

Hi

I have been dx'ed with many \"autoimmune \" diseases all due to my having worked with chemicals for many years .Over the past eighteen yrs. Dx'ed with Primary Biliary cirrhosis ( liver ) Pulmonary Fibrosis ( lungs ) Fibromyalgia ( central nervous system ) & just last week Peripheral Neuropathy which is the nerve endings damaged in the peripheral eg; hands & feet .

I was led to believe for many yrs. that it was part of my Fibro ,but I insisted on seeing a Neurologist & after many yrs was finally referred to one . My GP repeatedly told me that ..I was already seeing three specialists & if I had left it to him , I still wouldn't have that dx.

As you can probably tell ..I don't have a lot of faith in Drs

Good luck

Brenda UK

I had an accident many years ago, and have suffered pain and stiffness in my right hip and lower back on and off ever since.

Recently I had an xray that indicated that I had osteo-arthritis in my right hip, and possibly my back.

In January this year I started having lots of pain in my left arm, from the elbow to my fingers and my GP said it sounded and felt like I had tennis elbow..that pain is still ongoing and last week my other arm/elbow started with the same symptoms. At the same time, my hip/back problems began again.

I often have trouble with early morning stiffness and cannot get out of bed properly or walk properly when the condition flares up. Also, I find that I stiffen up after sitting at my computer for a few minutes.

My friend suggested that I might have RA rather than OA and Tennis Elbow, because of how my other arm has started to suffer so soon after my left arm...

Has anyone any idea how the 2 types of Arthritis can be distinguished from each other, and would I need a blood test to see if it is RA rather than OA that I have?

Sudden event injury misplaced one of my bones in my left wrist. Initially it was less painful, but slowly-slowly this injury is developing insidious causes of wrist pain, due to this I am feeling very much insecure with my left wrist. I followed every instruction given by different doctors, but its not working. If anyone can suggest me any other effective treatment for this I will be thankful to you.

Hi,

A few months back I had same problem. I had severe pain in my wrist and unable to lift anything. I found Magnetic Therapy solution from a site www.healthmagnets.co.uk. and it gave me relief from my wrist pain.

I am 25 years old. I am having arthritis problem since last many years. In doctors report they found that this is Osteo arthritis, which can affect bones and joints. But doctors are unable to cure this problem. I am afraid that if this problem continues for few more days I may loose my activeness. Please suggest me any solution.

Thanks

Hi

My wife was also suffering from Osteo arthritis. She is housewife. She had to spend whole day on bed. She can’t able to handle any of the household work. She was very much depressed. One of my friends suggested me to use magnet therapy which gives instant relief. He suggested me an online store Health Magnets Limited, www.healthmagnets.co.uk for such attachable magnets. Hope this helps you.

For centuries magnetism has been used to relieve pain, reduce inflammation and enhance healing. It is believed that magnetic flux aids blood circulation to remove harmful toxins and distribute oxygen, proteins and minerals around the body. There is a site www.healthmagnets.co.uk that will help to get products related to magnet therapy. Magnet therapy is effective way to reduce our body pain even it can be applied to the pets also.

I was formerly diagnosed with RA last year (2006) although I am fairly sure I have had it for at least 13 years. I am 33 now. All my adult life I have struggled with severe knee pain, having had operations and various anti-inflammatories all this time. Eventually the pain became so bad I presented at A&E unable to walk and feeling pretty miserable! Since diagnosis I have received excellent care from a team of consultants and nurse consultants based at my local hospital. I was started on sulphasalazine earlier this year and unfortunately suffered most if not all of the side effects. Worst of all was the nausia and fever but on the bright side it was a guaranteed weight loss!! I was taken off the drug after just 5 weeks after showing high ESR, ALT and CRP levels and now feel reluctant to try anything else - that is until the next flair up I suppose. It's unfortunate really because in the first two weeks of taking sulphasalazine I felt absolutely wonderful. I could get out of bed as soon as my eyes opened and I even managed to keep up with my two young children in the park. My question to others is a) has anyone else had a similar experience with sulphasalazine and what eventually worked for you? b) has anyone found alternative therapies useful in any way?

Apart from this life is great and I refuse to let RA control me or my life.

Hi,

I have had RA for the last 20 years diagnosed when I was 24. I also went on sulphasalazine which worked but then I came off to start a family. When I tried to go back on it approx 10 years later I felt so poorly and just wanted to lay in bed with the curtains closed and not speak to anyone - that was even on just half a tablet! I have been on Methotrexate for the last 6 years and that has made such a difference, but now it isn't working so well and I am due to try a new drug which you give by injection yourself, etanercept, not looking forward to that but I am feeling so tired and have no energy I just hope it helps.

Having been on Methotrexate for about 6 years I have recently been struggling with my RA and am going to try the new drug which you inject yourself called Etanercept. I am interested if anyone else is taking it and how they are getting on.

Hi to all, so far i had never found any serious side effects from either glucosamine or chondroitin. Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate are great supporters of joint health... And are substances found naturally in the body. For the information, i searched for a lot of sites, but i found a site about arthritis. That’s so absolutely neat! that's the coolest thing i saw all day! I think you can find information about your problem... And I now wish you deep rest tonight and a refreshing day tomorrow...!

My Doc has me on Methotrexate and I have to say that I feel a hell of a lot better on it compared to what I was like at Xmas. Not a nice drug BUT........none of them seem to be.

The only reaction I have had with it is feeling sick the day after taking it yuch :cry: . I know its not the same for all but it may be worth talking to your doc about it.

PW

I started taking Sulfasalazine in July 2006 at 4 per day.

In June 2007 my Rheumatologist increased that dosage to 6 per day.

I have had no side effects from Sulfasalazine whatsoever.

The results have been very good indeed. Prior to taking it I was having 'morning stiffness' which lasted until 3pm. Now my stiffness lasts about an hour or so. Sulfasalazine gave me my life back in a big way. It also helped with the tiredness and fatigue too.

At the beginning I got the ghastly taste in my mouth and they made me feel incredibly hot for a couple of hours after each dose, which I have had again, going from 4 to 5 per day for one week, then from 5 to 6 per day. This will pass. Still on two-weekly monitoring for blood, to make sure all is okay.

l have all the symptoms of RA but my Dr is slow at prscribing any meds other than painkillers and anti-inflamitorys. he just keeps sending me to different specialists, but won't put a name to it.does anyone have any herbal remidies l can try for the time being, l seemto have it quite badly in my hands.