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...
I've only told a couple of people I have RA. Their response is always, "I'm so sorry." I never knew it was known to be such a serious disease as to require those words. Just a musing.
Also, while taking a shower this morning I started thinking. Yes, I do that! lol. I have Hashimoto's as I am sure some of you do. I had a thyroidectomy in 97 and they took half my thyroid due to a tumor. I am on 300 mcg of thyroid a day.
With the MTX suppressing my immune system will I all of a sudden go Hyperthyroid? I just thought of that.
Who is Hypo and has RA? Has it changed anything.
Thanks
Also, while taking a shower this morning I started thinking. Yes, I do that! lol. I have Hashimoto's as I am sure some of you do. I had a thyroidectomy in 97 and they took half my thyroid due to a tumor. I am on 300 mcg of thyroid a day.
With the MTX suppressing my immune system will I all of a sudden go Hyperthyroid? I just thought of that.
Who is Hypo and has RA? Has it changed anything.
Thanks
But, I have never, ever heard any sort of comment about RA, other than they think it is no biggie deal. Their minds go to osteo arthritis, which so many people think is nothing. (I just had shoulder surgery, mainly due to osteo arthritis problems. I know how big of a deal it can be.)
The one thing about methotrexate - I had a followup with my Hemotologist about the same as I was getting a recheck for my shoulder.. When he saw that I had been off methotrexate for 3 weeks, because of the surgery, another complete blood count was ordered. He said methotrexate can slow down the growth of platelets. If it was the shoulder surgery - which can also increase platelets - , or being off methotrexate for 3 weeks, or a combination of both, my platelets took a big jump, and not in a good way. The next test he ordered was a bone marrow biopsy & asperation.
I was diagnosed hypothyroid about 15 years ago, treated it with thyroid meds since. Haven't noticed any change with the RA meds.
I've had some interesting responses too especially being a guy, you know how we are, all "macho' & everything. A buddy of mine won't take 5 minutes to Google RA to see it's seriousness but will spend an hour telling me, "Just take some Tylenol & stop being a baby"! What an ass!! LOL!!!
That is what is most frustrating because you can't seem to get across to people first of all the degree of your pain but also that this doesn't just go away. Also, you get the ones who say their arthritis is bothering them too in a wrist or somewhere. I'm talking about the ones who don't have RA and are not sick. Before I got RA I had arthritis too, in my spine, neck and surely in a few joints like a lot of people. Just have to realize most will not understand.
My doctor said it is quite common to get both at the same time. So no, mthx never made it better. I started on 50 mcg of Synthroid, and now I am on 125 mcg of Synthroid, hanging onto the bottom of normal in my blood tests. Hoping they will drop down like .1 so that the doc can up the dose a bit.
As for as people saying they were sorry, that would be a refreshing change. I get afraid to tell people, between "my aunt had RA in her pinky finger", advice to use garlic and omega oils which will cure RA, and the worst "just pray and God will heal you." After 17 years with this disease, I don't think that is going to happen! (God loves me the way I am and uses RA for his glory!)
It is what it is. I do my best and go forward.
I usually say I have an autoimmune disease. That confuses them....lol