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...

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Muscles & Bones
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Have a diagnosis, maybe?

debbierisner
debbierisner
After waiting for 4 months, I had X-rays and blood work and went to the Rheumatologist. I tested high positive for RA but he said that he thought it is in early stages since the X-rays showed no damage. He was more concerned with the levels of my autoimmune antibodies. The results indicate that I have another autoimmune disease such as lupus, sceladerma, or Sjogen's or some other one. I had more specific blood tests and I wait. He did put me on Plaquenil for the RA. Has anyone on here had/have RA and another autoimmune disease?
melly65
melly65
Hi Debbie

I'm in early stages too with no damage but in one finger joint. I have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. which is an autoimmune disease. My body is attacking my Thyroid.

My Mom has RA and they always said is you have one AI disease you more than likely will have more.

Good luck with your treatment!
51percent
51percent
The longer you have RA, the more likely you'll end up with something as a secondary condition. I have Sjogrens as my current secondary.

The good news for you is that you are early in discovering not 1 but maybe 2+ and with all the new drugs out there, they may be able to put you into remission and reduce the damage.

Don't sweat having more than one auto-immune.....we all seem to get them.

gentle hugs.........Jen
nessayessa
nessayessa
Sounds familiar! I first had Hashimoto's, then Raynaud's and then RA.
I had/have? low disease activity according to x-rays and am responding pretty well to Plaquenil. My ANA was 1:2560 at my diagnosis for RA.
Hopefully, if you do have something secondary it will be mostly benign (altho annoying as heck) like Raynauds.
vetteme4
vetteme4
I have RA first, Sjogrens second, and then chostachondritis third. Lucky in a way that they have found it early. Best of luck on finding what is going on and finding meds that will help.
Wendy
deborabarlow
deborabarlow
I first had dermatomyositis which is autoimmune but also neuromuscular. Also had TTP which is autoimmune that attacks the blood, and also have Raynaud's. Then lastly have RA.

Hopefully you will not find out anything too bad and that the treatment for the RA also covers whatever other AI condition they may find. I'm on Rituxan for the RA and it is what we used back when I was first diagnosed with dermatomyositis.

Good luck...Debbie
MarleneJ
MarleneJ
I had asthma first, then RA and hypothyroidism, Sjorgren's, then fibromyalgia. There might be others, as my objective is dealing with the RA first, then worry about the other things if there is time left over.
Teuness
Teuness
I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and Sarcoidosis are my two main diagnosis. I also have lupus type issues as well other issues that we cant pin point what is the cause.

I am on Remicade every 7 weeks as well as methotrexate. Its just a matter of finding the right medication mix to help keep everything stable and not get worse.