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...
So I have not been diagnosed yet and maybe I don't have RA at all. I'm a field biologist, so Lyme's is a possibility. Anyway, I'm see my general Doc on friday and am already waiting for some blood test results, but I was wondering if anyone has ever heard of some one having RA psychosomatically (if that is a word)? I have anxiety issues and am on meds for that. I'm still living with my parents finishing up my master's degree and although I don't feel like my meds aren't working maybe I am making myself hurt? I don't think so, since I have had this issue for 3 years, but has anyone heard of that at all? It seems bizarre that I would match RA symptoms so well without having researched it until recently. Anyway, if anyone has heard anything interesting about this at all let me know! I'd like to believe that I'm not anymore crazy than I already am :P
Mood/stress can make any of this (including autoimmune conditions) worse.
A lot of people need to have depression secondary to chronic pain treated with meds and counseling. So, it isn't unheard of. Also, fibromyalgia can mimic AI issues (without the swelling), but there is such a thing as secondary fibro.
I know, not any one answer, but that's how AI conditions are. Every person is different. Glad you are getting help!