Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

I was officially diadnosed in May 09. But have had symptoms since April 08.
Origionally started on methotrexate and plaquenil. For the most part I did ok. But the methotrexate made me feel bad some of the time.
Earlier this year I started taking Lodine and Arava. The Arava had bad side effects so I recently had to stop it. I am still taking the Lodine. When I go back to the rheumy in a few weeks I guess we'll see what's next.

I was diagnosed last September. I was extremely fortunate in that I was being treated for about 5 years for sjogrens syndrome and when I discussed the change in my symptoms with the rheumatologist, he immediately said it sounded like it might be RA and took additional tests. Sure enough, it was. I have been on methotrexate, plaquenil, and several months into treatment he added immuran, which I don't ever recall anyone else on the site discussing. He said it's been used for RA for about 20 years and can be effective for some patients. So far it has helped me, and my pain and stiffness have been manageable. The worse part for me at first was the damned fatigue, which is getting better.
My doctor told me to not be upset if one treatment doesn't work, that there are a lot of possibilities and he will keep working to find the right combination. He also said that with the new biologics and aggressive, consistent treatment, the disease should be manageable. So I hope he's right. I don't think I have had the horrible flares that some members discuss, so I do think it is different in each person. Just hang in there. I am always impressed with the willingness of members of this site to share concern and good wishes, as well as information, with each other.

I think I should say, "How long have I *not* had RA. Well, I've had symptoms off and on for six years, but definitely, not RA. This past year has been an almost contant flare, but not really what's considered an "RA" flare. It's more of an auto-immune thing that causes migratory, symmetrical joint inflammation and pain. Oh, yeah, and swelling,(unrelated, I'm sure).

The best course of action in my rheumy's opinion, is to ignore it-- I mean *me*-- Ignore *me*. Oh, yeah, but run LOTS of labs. labs definitely make me feel better. And the bills do to. They take my mind off of the stiffness, really.

oh yea. i forgot about plaquenil *L* i've been on that the whole time. i've never gone off it. over those 20 something years plaquenil was the only steady med. i kept goin up and down with prednisone and methotrexate. i've tried many things and sometimes i get mixed up or forget .. i am soo bad to forget *L*

Hope you goys got that my above post was 100% sarcasam! :)

Hello I was diagnosed with RA when I was 15 and I am now 25. When I first started treatment I was put on naproxen and started taking gold shots. I was young and not getting the gold shots like I was suppose so my doctor then (Who was horrible, made me cry every time i went, fought with my mom) took me off and put me on Methotrexate which worked great. I would still be taking it if I hadn't been trying to get pregnant for the last six years. So now I am just on arthrotect and for the everyday stiffness and inflammation it works really well. I hope this helped and stick in there it can get better.

I am so happy to read so many replies. It makes me feel better to know even those that have had RA for many, many years still manage to lead productive lives. Thank-you for your responses.

Had a flare when I ws 6 years olds then it vanished until 4 years ago. Very subtle sporadic symptoms until it really flared up in April 2006 (brought on by stress). Like 'CinnamintStick' on page two mine was mostly in my lower body to start - not classic RA. Wasn't diagnosed until Jan 2007. I'm RF negative and a SED rate of 21 (only 1 above normal) puts me in agony.
MEDS in this order: diclofenac (then off when Rhuemy put me on treatment), prednisone-MTX-SulfaZ-Plaquenil, tapered off prednisone, MTX did nothing but make me really sick, went off MTX and fought with my doc until he put me on Arava in March 2008, Arava does nothing but being a good little patient I'm still taking it because it doesn't make me sick.

Now (June 2009) showing signs of joint damage and really bad RA nodules and Rhuemy is putting me on Enbrel (finally, about freaking time) with the Arava and I take the NSAIDs for pain as needed.

Fingers crossed but if I don't see signifgant results with the Enbrel I'm going to be really upset. I've waited far too long already! I've accepted my fate at this point and will try anit-depressants if the emotional aspects of this didease start to get the better of me again. But for the moment my pain is better and I'm finding ways to cope. If you have bad knee pain I highly recommend a toilet seat lift!!! So much better!

Just diagnosed at the end of April, started on mobic until I saw RA dr. he added sulfasalazine and have been doing well, most symptoms have disappeared except for right hand moderate stiffness and it comes and goes during the day. I do exercise, stretches I got from an ra site and swim when I can. I am back to doing most everything except stoop or kneel. Some days I get real tired but generally am me. 2nd ra dr. visit tomorrow so we will see what goes on.

Renee