Tell me about life with Rheumatoid Arthritis

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I have reversed my osteoarthritis with the elimination of sugar and dairy, and greatly reducing gluten. I also do frequent effective exercises recommended by my physical therapist. I wasn’t onboard with the recommended drugs and surgeries.

It’s taken a few months, but I succeeded.

PP, you have no idea what you’re talking about. Osteoarthritis is NOTHING like RA. RA is an autoimmune disease where your body attacks its own joints. Get educated before you respond.

Learn about the many consequences of inflammation.

[Anonymous]

I have RA, and when I was diagnosed, I was in a lot of pain (knees, hands, wrists, shoulders, even my jaw). Prednisone worked miracles, but of course, I couldn't stay on that. I tried hydrocloriquine and methotrexate, which didn't help much. My rheumatologist finally prescribed a biologic, and we started with Orencia, because that's what my insurance covered. I've been on it for close to five years, and my RA is very well-managed. No debilitating pain, no progression of joint damage. As others have commented, that's why you take the medication -- to prevent joint damage. I wouldn't hesitate to ask for a biologic. I haven't experienced significant side effects, either, although it does involve an 85$ co-pay with my insurance every month.

One other thing to consider is that it can take a couple of tries to find the right biologic. And they can stop working after a while (as a previous poster mentioned).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have RA, and when I was diagnosed, I was in a lot of pain (knees, hands, wrists, shoulders, even my jaw). Prednisone worked miracles, but of course, I couldn't stay on that. I tried hydrocloriquine and methotrexate, which didn't help much. My rheumatologist finally prescribed a biologic, and we started with Orencia, because that's what my insurance covered. I've been on it for close to five years, and my RA is very well-managed. No debilitating pain, no progression of joint damage. As others have commented, that's why you take the medication -- to prevent joint damage. I wouldn't hesitate to ask for a biologic. I haven't experienced significant side effects, either, although it does involve an 85$ co-pay with my insurance every month.

One other thing to consider is that it can take a couple of tries to find the right biologic. And they can stop working after a while (as a previous poster mentioned).

Curious, what’s the origin of RA?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have RA, and when I was diagnosed, I was in a lot of pain (knees, hands, wrists, shoulders, even my jaw). Prednisone worked miracles, but of course, I couldn't stay on that. I tried hydrocloriquine and methotrexate, which didn't help much. My rheumatologist finally prescribed a biologic, and we started with Orencia, because that's what my insurance covered. I've been on it for close to five years, and my RA is very well-managed. No debilitating pain, no progression of joint damage. As others have commented, that's why you take the medication -- to prevent joint damage. I wouldn't hesitate to ask for a biologic. I haven't experienced significant side effects, either, although it does involve an 85$ co-pay with my insurance every month.

One other thing to consider is that it can take a couple of tries to find the right biologic. And they can stop working after a while (as a previous poster mentioned).

Curious, what’s the origin of RA?

NP. No one knows exactly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I have reversed my osteoarthritis with the elimination of sugar and dairy, and greatly reducing gluten. I also do frequent effective exercises recommended by my physical therapist. I wasn’t onboard with the recommended drugs and surgeries.

It’s taken a few months, but I succeeded.

Non-responsive. Go back to goop, wacko.

[Anonymous]

It seems like there is a big range. I have one friend who was diagnosed in college, currently walks with a cane and parks in the handicap parking. I have another friend diagnosed at 40 and it’s well controlled with meds. She leads a pretty normal life though she lets me pick up the heavy cast iron cookware.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have RA, and when I was diagnosed, I was in a lot of pain (knees, hands, wrists, shoulders, even my jaw). Prednisone worked miracles, but of course, I couldn't stay on that. I tried hydrocloriquine and methotrexate, which didn't help much. My rheumatologist finally prescribed a biologic, and we started with Orencia, because that's what my insurance covered. I've been on it for close to five years, and my RA is very well-managed. No debilitating pain, no progression of joint damage. As others have commented, that's why you take the medication -- to prevent joint damage. I wouldn't hesitate to ask for a biologic. I haven't experienced significant side effects, either, although it does involve an 85$ co-pay with my insurance every month.

One other thing to consider is that it can take a couple of tries to find the right biologic. And they can stop working after a while (as a previous poster mentioned).

Curious, what’s the origin of RA?

Theory is genetic, activated by a virus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It seems like there is a big range. I have one friend who was diagnosed in college, currently walks with a cane and parks in the handicap parking. I have another friend diagnosed at 40 and it’s well controlled with meds. She leads a pretty normal life though she lets me pick up the heavy cast iron cookware.

That’s common.

It’s because of duration. Your friend who has had disease for 20 years is in worse shape than your friend who has had it for five.

I ran marathons until about year 15. I’m now at year 23, and have had joint replacements and a fusion, and sometimes use my placard.

[Anonymous]

What biologics are people on?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It seems like there is a big range. I have one friend who was diagnosed in college, currently walks with a cane and parks in the handicap parking. I have another friend diagnosed at 40 and it’s well controlled with meds. She leads a pretty normal life though she lets me pick up the heavy cast iron cookware.

That’s common.

It’s because of duration. Your friend who has had disease for 20 years is in worse shape than your friend who has had it for five.

I ran marathons until about year 15. I’m now at year 23, and have had joint replacements and a fusion, and sometimes use my placard.

It’s also because the friend diagnosed at college didn’t have access to biologics!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It seems like there is a big range. I have one friend who was diagnosed in college, currently walks with a cane and parks in the handicap parking. I have another friend diagnosed at 40 and it’s well controlled with meds. She leads a pretty normal life though she lets me pick up the heavy cast iron cookware.

That’s common.

It’s because of duration. Your friend who has had disease for 20 years is in worse shape than your friend who has had it for five.

I ran marathons until about year 15. I’m now at year 23, and have had joint replacements and a fusion, and sometimes use my placard.

It’s also because the friend diagnosed at college didn’t have access to biologics!

I’ve been on biologics since 2001.

[Anonymous]

My mother was diagnosed with RA at the age of 55 and died at 69. She never took any medication apart from occasional painkillers. The disease progressed and left her unable to work within months, and with significant joint damage within several years. She was housebound for approx the last five years of her life, in constant pain. She was unable to prepare food or go to the toilet unassisted. She ended up not being able to walk because of the joint damage in her feet. She couldn’t dress herself because of the joint damage to her shoulders and elbows.
Take the damn meds and don’t do this to your kids.

[Anonymous]

My rheumatologist says to get on medicine. The earlier the better so I would not mess around and wait if it were me.

I have high RA factor and swollen joints but it’s not yet RA. We are in wait and see.

My doctor also told me eating sugar makes RA worse for a lot of her patients. I have reduced my sugar to almost zero.

If I drink wine or eat sugary foods, I wake up in pain.

My understanding is that RA and other autoimmune diseases can go into remission. A supportive autoimmune diet — without sugars — can help along with any medicine a doctor says to take.

My doctor is supportive of nutrition helping. For example, extra virgin olive oil contains components in ibuprofen so it’s anti-inflammatory. I incorporate two tablespoons a day. Doctor says go for it if it helps and it does.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have RA, and when I was diagnosed, I was in a lot of pain (knees, hands, wrists, shoulders, even my jaw). Prednisone worked miracles, but of course, I couldn't stay on that. I tried hydrocloriquine and methotrexate, which didn't help much. My rheumatologist finally prescribed a biologic, and we started with Orencia, because that's what my insurance covered. I've been on it for close to five years, and my RA is very well-managed. No debilitating pain, no progression of joint damage. As others have commented, that's why you take the medication -- to prevent joint damage. I wouldn't hesitate to ask for a biologic. I haven't experienced significant side effects, either, although it does involve an 85$ co-pay with my insurance every month.

One other thing to consider is that it can take a couple of tries to find the right biologic. And they can stop working after a while (as a previous poster mentioned).

Curious, what’s the origin of RA?

Theory is genetic, activated by a virus.

They don’t know?

[Anonymous]

I went through a terrible period where I thought I had RA. (I actually have a different autoimmune arthritis that is prayerfully much more manageable). I did a deep dive into the research and there are some books out on people who dramatically improved (cured) their RA with an all natural vegan diet with no oils, sugar, etc. That being said, I would both take the biologics and do a hard-core diet cleanup, for the greatest chance of an extended quality of life. Also, don't push your joints with too much vigorous exercise because yhat can also lead to damage...swimming would be a great exercise to add to your routine.