Welcome to the best place on earth for support and information on RA.

I like this explanation from

http://www.revolutionhealth.com/forums/arthritis/rheumatoid-arthritis/950:

Most regular arthritis is caused by the wearing down of the joints due to older age and overuse.Rheumatoid, sometimes even affecting young people then called Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, is an autoimmune disease.

In this genetic condition the body produces certain bad enzymes and proteins that the immune system recognizes as foreign, they are produced at or near the joints, usually the large joints. The immune system fights them by degrading the joints. This is a very painful disease and there is very poor treatment for it.

I went on for 2-3 years thinking I was just getting old, or developing arthritis too. Then when everything locked up on me and the pain was so severe, my doc got me the same blood tests you talk about here.

What you can expect (in my words), anything from total remission, to getting better for a while (months, or years) and then having a relaps, or having the drugs not work anymore, to having nothing work at all. I do not mean to sound negative on your first visit here - just realistic. So far I've gone from where you are to almost forgetting how an all over flare feels like (ok, I'll never forget that, but you know what I mean). However, I know it is early for me, and I've seen how the drugs I am on sometimes can become less effective, and people try different ones.

The good news is there is a LOT of help and medicine out there to pick from, they've come a LONG way with this disease, and you found this place with more support than you could ever hope for from some of the most caring, compassionate, UNDERSTANDING people I've ever met.

Thanks for your quick reply Bistro, and all that info. It's kind of a lot for me to absorb right now, "brain overload", LOL

I have other conditons that I have been told are autoimmune, so maybe the dr will find that this RA for me will all be autoimmune, like you said.

Thanks for the welcome!

Oh you came to the right place for friendly info. Welcome to our fatigued and pained group!

Just for starters as I know others can fill in better then me - RA is an auto immune disease whereas when people think of arthritis they think of osteoarthritis which is a degenerative disease.

RA is where your own immune system thinks part of yourself needs to react when in truth it doesn't (usually in this case the synovial sac around your joints but can be other things as well) whereas OA is a worn out overused joint where the protective padding cartilage has been worn down.

OA can affect young people, especially athletes. Tiger Woods knee is a perfect example of OA in someone young, but it's usually older folks who have had time to wear out the joint that have it. RA can affect any age group although it affects women a lot more then men.

You can have both at the same time which makes it really confusing as the pain and inflammation can be quite similar. The real difference is what causes the pain and inflammation.

As for what to expect - a lot of tests, questions, unfulfilled answers, pain, fatigue, medicine options up the whazoo that take months to see if they work and have a gazillion side effects, and that no two people are alike and that every day brings something different. In other words expect nothing. ;-)

Oh wait there is one thing you can expect - that we will be here to help, comfort, support, and share in your journey!

Hi and welcome. My symptoms have been severe, severe fatigue, joint and body pain. One of the many symptoms that he used to dx me besides the fatigue and body/joint pain was how long it takes me in the morning for my body to get going. Also that the joint pain is on both sides...if my left hip hurts, so does my right...intensity may not be the same. Both hands and fingers hurt, but my left is worse.
I also have severe neck and back pain, but he told me last week that it could be from sitting for too long at work without moving my back and to work on stretching it as often as I could.
Of course, RA is your immune system that is attacking your joints, and that's why it is a chronic disease. Arthritis or Osteoarthritis is wear and tear in your joints and usually just one of the same joint, instead of both as with RA.
I'm on methotrexate and hope that it will help me.
Today I'm having one of those terrible days with fatigue and pain and I had to stay home from work...but that's part of RA...I take the good days with the bad and I'm working hard to taking care of myself. To learn my limits and not abusing those good days.
Wishing you the best!
Zeyda

Many people don't understand the difference, as you will find out! Its hard when even close friends don't understand. People will sometimes just brush it off like it really isn't important, and in fact they seem to have some arthritis in their little finger...they wonder why I am so tired sometimes, and have to nap, or go to bed early-I try and explain the difference which seems to go right over their head.

When I was first diagnosed I went to WebMD and started researching it. Get as much info from reliable sources as you can. Be your own advocate. Be informed so you can make sure you're getting the most out of your treatments. Hang in there. On another RA board a woman put it this way-"RA is one stone cold bitch" and I couldn't agree more. You'll find ways to cope, especially if you stay in touch with the wonderful people here!

I appreciate everyone who took the time out to respond to my questions.

Bistro, I'll be going on that site you suggested.
Smith, thank you for your explanation.....I'll be checking into more info.
Pearl, Sorry you're having an "off" day....I recently also found out that I
am Iron Anemic, so the dr put me on RX Iron....I also started
getting B-12 shots 5 weeks ago. Between the both, the ten tons of fatigue is lifting....
VickieSue, I will check out WebMD, and educate myself.

My dr suggested Mobic, and I declined....I don't like RX's much...too many side-effects....but I will have to choose an RX at some point for pain???....Any suggestions?

Thanks again all!

Welcome to the group! For RA pain and inflammation, I typically recommend a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug such as ibuprofen if you do not have any kidney disease or previous history of stomach ulcers. Mobic (meloxicam) is a non-steroidal drug, but you take less often and is more expensive. Have you started your DMARD (e.g. methotrexate, sulfasalazine, etc.) yet? It is best to start this ASAP to slow the progression of the disease otherwise it will progess unchecked.

Thanks for your reply gbcharlie,

No I haven't started the DMARD yet...The dr never suggested it, he's only an Internist as opposed to a Rhemytologist, so maybe he is not all that well versed with RA.....As a matter of fact, I didn't even know about DMARD to slow the process, until I did some reading on the net this afternoon.

He did suggest Mobic....I declined....I don't like RX pain pills....Now I realize I should have taken the RX and had it filled for bad days like I had on Monday, after doing too much this weekend....I also have to be carefull what I do take 'cause I have Ulcerative Colitis, that's a real pain in the butt...LOL

Thanks for the info, I'll check with my dr about DMARD at my next appt in 3 weeks....If he still draws a blank, I'll make an appt with a Rhemotologist.

Have a great nite everyone!

Welcome to the RA group. We have some wonderful people on here and lots of info to share and support to give. If you have more than 1 autoimmune disease, it can get really confusing. Just read up, talk, and ask questions. Find yourself a good rheumatologist. Best of luck.

Hi Deb
I used to be just where you are now. I\' only been dx in Dec \'08. I just got on MTX this week after putting it off for so long and trying to go the more natural way. I had a Rheumy who was not very niceand am going to my rg Dr. now he is the one to Rx the NTX. I aslo take Mobic, Fish oil and lots of other Vitamins. I am now trying the dark chocolate(70% or higher in Cocoa) I read that also helps with Inflammation. As for the side effects, my dr. told me to look at the side effects fo Tylenol and I wouldn\'t want to take that anymore either. I know that MTX has some bad ones, but I also read that it actually protects you from certain Cancers and also lowers the risk of Heart Disease. I am also going through Menopause, so I need all the protection I can get. I have only started this week so I don\'t know if I get some of the more common ones like nausea later. I will just have to see.I would recommend to you to lok for a good Rheumy and let her guide you oin what the best Rx is for you. Do it soon though, because the sooner you get help the sooner the Joints get protection from deterioating.Good Luck and Welcome.
Bigi

Hi Debbie, I\'m really sorry you have this problem too but I\'ve got to tell you that a lot of things cleared up for me once I was diagnosed with RA. You need to be under the care of a Rheumatologist and he/she can also treat you for the Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. All three of these diseases fall under their area of expertise.

You absolutely, positively need to be on a drug program to halt the progress of the RA. As you read more about RA, you will find that left untreated it is more likely for you to develop deformities. This isn\'t an illness where you wait until you feel bad to do something about it. Please take this disease seriously and when it is well under control you may not need any heavy duty pain meds - in fact when I tell the dr I am experiencing horrible pain, he doesn\'t give me pain killers he looks at the RA meds to see if they need to be adjusted.

Anyway you will find real support, information and care from the people on this board - they are wonderful. If you have any questions feel free to ask, take care...hugs jilly

The first thing they tried for me was Mobic. I have a cast iron gut, but I couldn,t take Mobic very long. Tramadol is a pain pill that should be ok for the pain, but not for the progression. I also hate RX,s but I did have to go on Methotrexate and Folic acid. I have done very well for several years. Some days are worse than others.. I went right away and bought a book on Rheumatoid Arthritis, and it has all the meds listed, and soo much valuable info. Invest in one and it will help you understand the whole thing.

Hi Debbie and welcome to DS. You have come to the right place as there are good folks here who are also well informed. As far as a Rheumatologist that\'s who you should be seeing.Usually they are also internist as well. As for pain meds when I am in pain as I was a while ago I need to take something. When the pain hits it hits and I am not one for being in pain and biting the bullet. Tramadol helps, but when that doesn\'t work I have to bump it up to a half of a Percocet.Arthrotec is an Nsaid and works well for pain that isn\'t a 7/10 or more for me. I have had RA for the past 6 and 1/2 yrs and it has progressed quickly so I have been on many meds. Just recently I have noticed an increase in pain(due to stress) so I will address that with my RA MD on Tuesday. Again welcome to the group.