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...
Hey everyone,
As posted in my brief bio, I am 24 and have had RA for a few years. I have been meaning to try out one of these support groups to chat or just to browse threads for tips. I may be in a minor flare up now and trying to avoid a major one; and thought a perfect time to get some help. My last really bad flare up was last July. I've found that my legs, not necessarily joints, but legs were sore- their sore now too, become fatigued easily, mentally get get depressed or negative or anxiety- which I take Lexapro and Lorazepam to help with as needed to calm anxiety down and to help sleep. But I try not to become dependent on them if not crucial. It seems that life events, change, new things ( new job started) or fear of loss of things or people affect me much more deeply due to the side effects of RA. Thankfully this time right now so far I am just sore ( * I did miss riding a bike for years, so I got a used one the other day and rode a few blocks but I am still sore; what gives?) , normal nervous and anxious since today was Day 1 of something new; perhaps a little more than a non RA patient would be; but nothing like last July where I couldn't sleep at all, sweating hot flashes, crying and nostalgic at everything plus sore physically and fatigued. I am very happy that a decent job came around as I have been laid off for a while and need it, but I also know some rough patches with others things are likely coming my way and want to do what i can to not loose it for the sake of new job and just livability. I just want to know I am not alone in these symtoms and see what other people my age perhaps do to get thru and or avoid a flare up. Please help, thanks much.
As posted in my brief bio, I am 24 and have had RA for a few years. I have been meaning to try out one of these support groups to chat or just to browse threads for tips. I may be in a minor flare up now and trying to avoid a major one; and thought a perfect time to get some help. My last really bad flare up was last July. I've found that my legs, not necessarily joints, but legs were sore- their sore now too, become fatigued easily, mentally get get depressed or negative or anxiety- which I take Lexapro and Lorazepam to help with as needed to calm anxiety down and to help sleep. But I try not to become dependent on them if not crucial. It seems that life events, change, new things ( new job started) or fear of loss of things or people affect me much more deeply due to the side effects of RA. Thankfully this time right now so far I am just sore ( * I did miss riding a bike for years, so I got a used one the other day and rode a few blocks but I am still sore; what gives?) , normal nervous and anxious since today was Day 1 of something new; perhaps a little more than a non RA patient would be; but nothing like last July where I couldn't sleep at all, sweating hot flashes, crying and nostalgic at everything plus sore physically and fatigued. I am very happy that a decent job came around as I have been laid off for a while and need it, but I also know some rough patches with others things are likely coming my way and want to do what i can to not loose it for the sake of new job and just livability. I just want to know I am not alone in these symtoms and see what other people my age perhaps do to get thru and or avoid a flare up. Please help, thanks much.
As for the hot flashes and mood swings - are you on low dose prednisone? If so, these are common side effects. As are achy and weak muscles. If you are not on low dose prednisone, you may need to see your they about it.
Good luck and welcome!
Chicagofan, huh? Cubs or White Sox?
yes i think i have a decent dr, good dr at that. sometimes it just seems when i say I'm having a flare up but my joints aren't swollen, but in pain + all the mental side effects and being fatigued she says since no swelling its not RA flare up- wish makes little sense cause all the other symptoms alignn and the same thing happens each time it gets bad, tie that into a sinus infection and feeling down, those were two of the longest weeks in my life.
- Bears fan, don't care for baseball; not much of a sports fan really- just a fan of the city itself.
Swelling is one of the ongoing controversies. Some people are real drama queens about it, others rarely have any noticeable swelling. It doesn't seem to correlate well with what's going on underneath. Have you had MRI or ultrasounds done at all to look at joint damage?