Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...
Hi all, I'm new to this site and new to RA. Diagnosed in late December after an all out attack on what felt like every joint and the tissue in between except my hips and back. Labs are positive. I'm a retired registered nurse so I knew that I needed to research the latest info and I have to say that I really admire those of you who have been dealing with this for years. And your positive attitudes amaze me. There's no denial here, just lots of questions. Like is it normal (ok I know that NOTHING is normal with this disease :).) for the RF to go up when you first start on mtx?. Mine went from 2646 to 2709 after a month on 7.5 mg. I have a great doc who will work with me to get the best results we can and I'm currently seeing him once a month to draw labs and adjust the meds. So, I started on the 7.5 mg mtx, a tapering dose of prednisone, 1 mg of folic acid 6 days a week and mobic. We've increased the mtx to 10 mg and I'm just finishing up the 2nd tapering dose of prednisone. Had some pretty traumatic side effects for about 6 weeks but they have been tapering off to what I consider tolerable now even with the increased dose. My pain level is very reasonable which is why I'm wondering about the increase in the RF. Any ideas? I'm sure I'm going to have many more question as I progress into my new reality.
By the way, I've been following the discussions here for a while and have learned some things that have been and will be helpful in my future. So I thank you for being here.
By the way, I've been following the discussions here for a while and have learned some things that have been and will be helpful in my future. So I thank you for being here.
I would also strongly suggest a personal health log to track your good days and bad, as well as any other references to your daily routine, stress, weather, diet and the like. That way you can possibly detect your pain / flare triggers and help give info towards your care. As well as "prepare" a bit for them.
depot
As far as numbers, I wouldn't worry about them in the slightest. My sister has MS. When they were testing her, her RF was 4 times mine. But she had no joint pain, and still doesn't.
I was sero-negative the first 4 years. I had doctors turn me away, saying I wasn't sick because I had no positive blood work. My fourth rheumatologist finally diagnosed me by symptoms, and told me I had severe RA. So two years wasted.
Then another 5 years wasted with an non-aggressive rheumatologist that I didn't complain loudly enough too. But a biologic made all the difference, in combo with methotrexate.
I moved last year, and got a new RD, who believed me like no one else. He finally told me I was the worst case of RA he had ever seen. So for the last year I have been living on 15-20 mg of prednisone, and currently Arava and Orencia. The Arava has been working for months, but the Orencia seems to want more time. My blood work is down again, but the RA is still bad.
So the thing to do is push for drugs that will help. Usually they put you on Plaquenil and then Methotrexate. But you may be fortunate because of you high numbers they will put you on a biologic fairly quickly.
I hope you will come here and post a lot so we can get to know you, and support and encourage you on your RA journey.
The flares are horrible but the steroids help a lot. I just avoid them because they put me in a "feeding frenzy."
Don't worry about the numbers on the blood tests as much. Just keep a log of how you are feeling and what is going on at the time so you can let the doctor know more about triggers and things you might forget about otherwise.
I've battled Ra for 39 years but in a rare form that wasn't seen as Ra until 11 years ago when it was diagnosed through an MRI. I am sero-negative but the MRI showed clear synovial membrane inflammation. I am now at the point where I have multi-organ involvement and possibly another auto-immune disorder that can accompany Ra, called Relapsing Polychondritis......destroys all cartilage in the body. No treatment for that one.
As for test numbers, once positive, that's all you need. After that, the docs use the ESR and CRP to see if you are about the flare or how bad a flare you're having or if it's something other than RA. I find the sed rate to be the most valuable...it goes up and I go down!
But I like my life and am happy. I use the user name 51% because I strive for 51% of my day as happy and if I can get that...what is there to complain about? That means I'm happy more than half my time and to me, that's success.
I have Ra but Ra doesn't have me!
Welcome and gentle hugs..................Jen
I find I still have so many questions about a disease that changes everything. I want the results that Phil and all the other people on TV get from using the meds.
Oh, do I understand those "Traumatic" side effects from Prednisone, good word for it, "Traumatic." Good thing it works so well reducing pain and swelling, because I think this is a high price to pay. I can't even drive because I'm so jumpy from Prednisone. It causes me to think everyone is going to run into me. I'm a terrible passenger. I think my husband is a Saint for driving me everywhere, right now. Do you get that jumpy? I'm glad to hear your pain is low and you have a good Doc. Those two things are wonderful!
As you know, there are a lot of wise people on this board., fortified with knowledge and solid answers. Like you, I read here for a long time before I posted, and I got a lot of valuable information.
Welcome to the group, just sorry you need to be here.