there is RA , and OA, osteoarthritis, they both cause pain, and swelling. I have both.Since you are new to all of this, my advice would be to learn as much as you can about the RA, and then you will be aware of what to expect, and how to cope. Good luck to you

Hi:

I have had rheumatoid since 2001. I also have osteo. Sometimes, it is hard to draw the line between the two, I believe the treatment is basically the same, Check your sedimentation rates - that is another red flag.

Lynne

Apparently it is very common for RA to not show up in blood tests particularly in the beginning stages. That's why the drs do a physical exam and a family history as well as judge how you react to various meds. Other auto-immune diseases that involve inflammation do well with prednisone and methotrexate - the fact that you are responding to the meds confirms that you probably have RA. The best advice I can give you is to read about it...hugs jilly

I just had my first rheum. appt. I basically was told that it may or may not be RA, and by taking prednisone, it is kind of a test. If I get better, then yes, it probably is RA. I was a bit put out, tho, because I got the feeling that I wasn't "sick" enough, as she said she has seen people much worse off then me. I am sure this is true. However I think some people work thru the pain because they have to. I know there are days I feel miserable. But I get up and go to work and carry on. I guess I am lucky I am able to do that. Any by the way the prednisone is helping. But still to me that just means I have something that prednisone treats, not necessarily RA.

I have RA and OA and just been diagnosed with carpel tunnel in my hands. My rhuemie says it is not unusal to get many different auto immune diseases going on at once. Any inflammatory arthritis is bad. The prednisone, which I am sure you know is a steroid is the drug we all love to hate. When all else fails, and we are in untolerable pain we turn to prednisone to get over that hump.Bloodtests are just one way your doctor diagnoses auto immune diseases such as RA. The sed rate goes up while you are in the midst of a flair. It can take many months or longer to find the right medical cocktail to make you feel like your pre RA self. Be diligent, reserch your disease or possible other diseases you may have and keep a constant open lines of communication open with your doctor. Doctors are not Gods and sometimes need to be directed by us there paying audience. Always remember it is your body and only you can protect it. Good luck.

Thanks to you all for the advice! I'm only 28, so I don't think what I'm dealing with is osteo. Looks more and more like RA- my knees and elbows seem to be involved now too. It's really helpful to me to be able to see that people have such a wide range of experience with this disease, and we're not all necessarily doomed. I have the benefits of a doctor who took me seriously right away and a very supportive family- I think those two things are going to help me immensely.

Caren:

Your age isn't a key factor, when I was on remicade, our "drip group" (we got infusions together in my doctor's office had a high school student and several young women. I was 57 at that time.

Family and a good doctor is important. I get a lot of support from my son and best friend as well as my office crew. They tote files for me and make my job possible. I'm a trial attorney in my third week of trial, which I couldn't do without my support system.

I wish you all the best. I was diagnosed in 200l and I'm still living the life I want and doing the things I enjoy. Not everyone with RA in DS can do that, but most have been able to work with their RA.

Lynne