Anyone Have RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis)?

[Registered but logged out]

I'm a regular user but logged out for privacy.

I'm in my mid-30s and just found out I have RA. For months I have been waking up with pretty severe finger pain and it would last a few hours into the morning routine. I just thought I was overusing them during the day with diapers, toys, bottles, etc. but even on the weekends with rest there was pain. The pain is sometimes throughout the day and then back usually in the evening before bed.

After visiting my pcp it was confirmed. I haven't started any medication yet.

I'm just worried about how this will work with the daycare. If the medications will allow me to continue my daily activities and do all I need to do to get things done and keep things going.

I'm a little worried about how the pain may progress and how bad it could get.

Is anyone else living/working with RA? Do you have any advice at all? I'm pretty scared.

[Cat Herder]

Check out "patients like me" RA boards. I think you will find everything you need to know, there. lovethis

[Breezy]

My mom was diagnosed with RA a few years ago. It was almost a given she would be as all of her sisters also have it and my grandma had it pretty bad as well (fingers and toes were all crooked).

It started out manageable and she didn't need much but OTC meds for the pain but over the years it has become more and more severe. She takes prednisone in the mornings and Methotrexate once per week. The Methotrexate she usually will take on a Friday night because the dosage they have her at makes her extremely nauseous until about noon the next day.

She is also doing an RA infusion trial which was (is) very risky. Its a drug used for cancer patients and has shown it helps a lot for RA symptoms as well. She was very much on the fence about trying it because of the risk involved but they monitored her through the whole thing and it has helped TREMENDOUSLY with the pain and stiffness. She goes in for another infusion later this month. I think they are every 3 months? 6 months? Something like that.

Her DR got her into the trial because she tried an injection (Enbrel) and had a bad allergic reaction to it.

But, all in all she says moving helps her so much. If she stops and rests she stiffens up. The mornings are the worst and she is in the most pain after laying in bed all night. She takes her prednisone and then a hot shower and usually feels better. When she has a flare up (like this weekend) she takes some time to soak her feet in the jacuzzi tub with epsom salt and it helps soothe joints and relax.

At night before bed, she usually soaks in the tub as well.

She has it severely (and she smokes and doesn't eat as well and as much as she should) so I hope none of this information was scary!

I hope this helps a little!

[itlw8]

I don't but a freind does and she is still working at 58 One thing I found before my total knee replacements is that Fresh pineapple works wonderful for relieving inflamation. It has to be fresh or frozen not canned.

no cure but great for symtoms.