rheumatoid arthritis

[marysmerrycats]

I have R.A., and was just wondering how many people have heard much about it, or know anyone with it?
I am not looking for info, just curious..

[Soledad]

My grandmother has it. It was quite disheartening for her as she was a lacemaker and general crafty person (crochet, knitting, sewing, etc.).

How long have you had it? I take after my grandmother quite a bit and often fear I'll get it as I often get aches in my wrists and fingers.

[Cookiebaker]

My nephew has (had) it...I'm not sure how he has been doing with it lately. He was 3 or 4 when he was diagnosed, and had a couple of really bad years. He's 13 or 14 now, and seems to be doing pretty well.

[marysmerrycats]

I've known about it for about 21/2 years.
Soledad, if you are worried about it, ask your dr. for a blood test, they can tell by the sedrate count.

Cookiebaker
wow, 3 or 4 years old? I guess Ididn't realize children could get it, but I guess anyone could! how did it affect him while growing up?

[neko1]

A woman that I work with has it, it gets pretty bad sometimes.

[marysmerrycats]

it started with my hands, so bad I could hardly use them, at all. it was really bad, I was so clumsy. then the meds helped that, then last Sept. it started in my knees, to where I could hardly walk, the dr told me that I will need to have them"scraped out" with the next year or two and within 5 years I will need replacemnets! THAT scares me! I can walk okay now, but at times it gets bad, kind of off and on, right now it is almost normal but there are times when I feel like I'm ready for a cane or wheelchair!
tylenol 3 helps sometimes.

Michelle
what meds is your co-worker on, if you know..?

I am on methotrexate, after a while my body stopped absorbing the pills, they weren't helping anymore, so now I have to take a shot once a week I hate that!
it can be upsetting sometimes, when I have trouble walking.

[marysmerrycats]

I bumped this post, because I am just wondering, IS there any other members on pt with it, or that you know someone?

[marysmerrycats]

*bump*

[anna_66]

And sometimes it is so painful for her, expecially in her hand & legs, and then sometimes in her shoulder. She has to have cortizone shots.

[Rachel]

My neighbor at the house we lived at previously has it. She developed in in her thirties when her son was about 2 years old. She is now 60. The disease has progressed considerably but she has never let it stop her from doing what she wants to do. She and her husband are avid sailors and intend to take long trips on their new boat. How she manages I don't know, but she does.

[marysmerrycats]

anyone else?

[marysmerrycats]

How she manages I don't know, but she does.

well it depends how bad it is, and it does come and go, I have days I would never know anything was wrong, then the days that I can hardly move.

[marysmerrycats]

[emily_the_spoiled]

Marysmerrycats, there are some new drugs on the market for RA that work MUCH better than MTX (and without the side effects). It sounds like you are already seeing a rheumatologist, maybe you should ask about some of the new biologicals. I know that they are quite expensive, but it might be worth a try for you.

The knee replacement surgery may sound intmidating, but once you have it done you won't believe the difference in your life.

Unfortunately RA is generally an inherited condition, so your children may develop it or just carry the genetic code. I know that my maternal grandfather had it when he was alive and it now looks like my sister might have it also.

[moosmom]

Mary,

I can feel your pain. Although I don't have RA, I DO have arthritis in my back and neck from working for 20 years as a paramedic on an ambulance. Lifting all those heavy people down flights of stairs on a stretcher didn't help things any. My back goes into spasms sometimes to the point where I can't even move. It is NOT fun. Hang in there!