Yep, when I stand up after sitting a bit too long it sounds like I have bubble wrap in my shoes. Pretty much everywhere pops. I like restaurants with quick service or loud music, otherwise people stop eating and gape at me when I get up.

It started when I was around 12 years old. At that time, I didn't know I had RA, they diagnosed me with fibromyalgia. The last few months, when I walk too long, one of my knees starts popping with each step. Now, the other knee has a bakers cyst from favoring it.

Sorry you have to deal with this at such a young age. I'm kind of glad I didn't know... I hope you don't let it limit what you believe you can do with your life. I'm 35 and it's only now really beating me down to where I can't work. I'm determined I'll get back to it - even if it takes a couple of years and a thousand ice packs :)

Yeah the cracking and snapping is common with RA...I feel like rice crispy's when I get up in morning. I hope you get some relief. I am only 43 and have had to go on disability because I cannot work. It is tough but am finally getting some treatment and some much needed relief. Don't know how long it will last but I will enjoy what I can get. Feel better.

I wasn't diagnosed until I was 16 but the first thing my mom would ask the Dr's about when I was younger was "Why do her knees always pop and crack so much anytime she moves or bends?" They always said they thought it was just from growing but it was really the beginning of my RA. It's very common.

Yeps, I'm a snap crackle pop too.
On the prednisone, you don't want to be on any more than absolutely necessary. What other med are you on for RA? Dmards? biologics? I'm asking because the goal is to replace the prednisone with a dmard.

Hope you continue to feel better even at a lower dose of pred.

Well, as far as the doc reminding your mom that you really do have RA, that could be a good thing. It's often hard from 'others' to have any idea about our status... they think we can get through it with nutrition and exercise....lol....

Stress IS a flare inducer in most autoimmune diseases.

The Rice Krispy boys got nothing on us..... I snap all the time, I get scared if i don't :O)

I also crack all the time in my knees, shoulders, wrists, ankles, neck, hips etc........ thanks for asking because I did not know this was common with so many ppl with RA.

Kristin,

Just want to echo the concern about prednisone... I stayed on 30 mgs the last couple of months because I felt so much better, and I just developed a back fracture (sacrum) from the prednisone. Not offering an opinion one way or another here, but keep in mind that your dr is reducing the prednisone because it can have such scary side effects.

Tina

Even my husband can hear mine and he will say, "What was that?, did you break something?"

I read your post to see if you meant cracking the way you meant it , or cracking.....like mentally.....because I can relate to either or both.

:-) yes I crack , often loudly enough to hear across a crowded room. Usually my neck or knees but can sometimes be other parts. Least of my worries, though with my neck especially it tends to happen when the pain is horrific.

Thank you guys for relieving my worries about this!
TINA- I read your recent post and am worried now bc i wasn't having pain in my hip until a few days ago and it doesnt seem to be going away..thanks for the heads up!
Episteme- Im trying not to let it beat me down but the pains just keep coming!
BCATS- Im going to be starting Enbrel once my insurance approves it-until then..prednisone and vicodin is all i got..the methotrexate gave me a terrible reaction =/
Thank you guys!!

I just recently started cracking a lot myself. And I can relate the mom thing. We live far away from each other so I guess its easy for my mom to be in denial. I have been dx for over 2 years now. Its sad I can't lean on my mom for support. Hope this is not the case for you.

my feet make cracking sounds and hurt like a bitch.
my mother yesterday is worried about the drugs because of the side effects and basically said yesterday to tuff out the pain and just deal with it and stop taking the meds.
I wanted to cry all through work.
sorry to hear about all the problems you are having I hope you are feeling better soon!