I was diagnosed in 2008 as sero-negative. May have been much longer. I am considered moderate to severe uncontrolled. I am on once a month simponi, azulfadene, prednisone, naproxin, and vicodin. Most every joint is affected, my fingers are turning and my thumbs are frozen. New rheumy says if I had been diagnosed earlier it would have made a difference :0(. I gave up my life as a chef and firefighter for the disease but I have overcome by finding many other things to occupy my time. Swimming has been a blessing!

trying to use mouse left handed today; joy. I am 53 post menopause just dx several months ago BUT tested positive 8 years ago by idiot doc who dismissed me and told me to take MSM supplements !
and I was in a bad way before that. I have OA too so it was hard for me to know , which was which pains.
I'd say moderate disease for me ; my current doc says mine is very aggressive but though my pain is outrageous and dibilatating, thus far my exrays show only mild damage. (thank you God)
I really want to say Moderate/severe disease , is what I have.
but considering my xrays I figured I don't equal that. (?)
*plus I know it's wrong to compare myself to someone but met a nice older woman the other day and she has many joint replacements in her fingers & toes and that made me feel not so progressed in comparison.
my RA is in my feet/ankle/wrists/thumbs/fingers, ribs/jaw/neck and knees.

I was diagnosed at age 45, although labeled as "undifferentiated connective tissue disease" for 1.5 yrs prior, which was probably RA all along of course. Seronegative. I'd like to say that mine is mild to moderate, but not controlled. Currently on MTX and Enbrel. Without those (spent 2 mos like that), had spread and hard to move. Hands and feet mostly, wrists, but affecting the shoulders, hips, knees, jaw as well. *sigh*

Was 57 and my ankle hurt after a surgery in August then the balls of my feet. Christmas Day - severe at that point. They say from the xrays that I have damage but was probably so active that I didn't know it and the surgery kicked it in. Down to 50 c Metho since January this year and 5 complete months of Enbrel. Don't know what I am but I work full-time and have learned to pretty much live with the pain that occurs at times. Don't think I've had more than 2 pain free days at a time since this started. Have had to take off work a day here and there and spend most weekends taking it easy so I can work.

I was dx at 35 with a mild case at the time. I pretty much caught it at onset, I believe. Doc said at the time that I should not have deformities, etc. since I got on meds right away. And there are so many new ones coming out every day. I think she was just trying to be positive. I quickly progressed in my symptoms.
I have been on 6 pills mtx, enbrel weekly and hydroxychoroquine twice a day for almost two years. My xrays have so far been normal. Next xrays may be different. My hands are looking different to me. Its noticeable.
I would say my RA is now not as controlled as it has been. I also have developed Fibromyalgia in the past year. That brings its own challenges.
I would declare myself to be a moderate case.
Sometimes I try to imagine what I would be like without my enbrel,mtx, etc and I CRINGE. If I went back to pre-med state: bedridden would be my status.
I have also taken prednisone for long stretches. Not doing that anymore.
I have trouble with ankles, hips, jaws, hands, fingers, chest, feet and toes, elbows, shoulders, and wrists.

Forgot to mention I do take a low dose Percocet when things get out of hand.

Jess

Diagnosed at 43 rapidly progressing from initially mild disease to moderate to severe. Have very active disease despite methotrexate, Humira, Mobic. The days that walking is almost impossible and I can't bend my fingers or use my thumbs I would say would limit my ability to work, so I am not trying to at this time. I see improvement on my meds since I have more managable days than unmanageble. My initial hand xrays show no damage, but I now have deviation occuring.
I choose to walk around the longer path to avoid stepping up on curbs or using steps. I no longer know what is reasonable to expect from my body as far as how much healing may occur. All that matters now is how today is, and today is okay.

Since I'm a guy :-) I can't comment to the before or after menopause theory. I was dx at age 59, but I am sure I was fighting with the beast for at least 2 years prior to that. I worked in a hardware store and had to walk a lot everyday and my feet were killing me for a long time. it got to the point in late 2008 that my left foot was so swollen that I had to wear an ankle brace and a walking boot and wore an ankle brace on the right ankle. But stupid old me just kept on working. My podiatrist sent me for an MRI (at my request) in May of 2009, it took until early June to get into my rheumy, he immediately started MTX, prednisone, tramadol, and gave me multiple injections. We applied to the insurance immediately for approval for Remicade and I started Remicade in Aug 2009, in fact I have my 2 year anniversary infusion the 19th. My dx was severe RA and was told to either quit my job or be in a wheel chair. Not much of a choice! It took until Jan of 10 before the meds really started to kick in, today I am able to walk without a cane or walker, I work full time in a clinic, desk job, I still have a lot of stiffness (especially the toes), my ankles are tippy, and I have neuropathy fairly severe. The pain and stiffness and neuropathy changes during the course of the day, going from terrible to phases of I hardly notice it. It is a weird beast and never quits attacking. At least I can walk, can't do what I used to but I still force myself to get out and do things. I have come to the realization that it "isn't going away, and it could be worse, and might get worse." I also realize I am lucky and the meds control it to some extent. I am noticing some thing in my hands, nuckles, tenderness at times, some redness at times. Life goes on, God Bless to all, Charlie

I'll be 53 years old next month. Was diagnosed just last week with RA and OA. I have had mild joint pain in just about every joint in my body for many years, but I attributed it to the hormonal mess I was going through. Earlier this year I became almost incapacitated by the pain. I was scared that I would not be able to work so I went to my GP. Started Humira injections this week. I really don't know how to classify the way I feel. Rheumatologist says I'm in the beginning stages, but I do feel extreme fatigue most days. If I exert myself the least bit, I will suffer for days. I've often wondered if it's all in my head, but I don't think so. I have been very active my entire life. I feel like I've been stopped dead in the water.

Diagnosed originally at 45 (mild and only in hands), but "confirmed" and really started suffering at age 53 (severe - hands, wrists, ankles, hips, shoulders). Smack dab in the middle of menopause!

Medications (so far): Methotrexate (without good results), prednisone, Norco

My function is probably about 50% compared to a year ago, severe pain in the mornings until pain meds kick in, mild pain throughout the day. Fatigue is severe.

Me: Diagnosed in Dec at 49 years old, and that was the age of symptom onset as well (some people are sick for years before DX, so I just thought I'd clarify that). Moderate, I think. On temporary disability now until we find a med that works and that I can tolerate.

My dad: just want to add his experience to this discussion. Diagnosed at 49 or so, like me, as having Mild RA; still having symptoms at 90 when he died. Stayed "mild" his whole life -- meaning confined to one joint, his wrist. Had surgery on it in his mid 50s. Struggled with RA pain all his life, tried lots of things (alternative and conventional) but was helped most by low dose prednisone.

At 90 my dad had carpal tunnel surgery directed related to his RA. He was having terrible pain in his wrist. He died soon after of unrelated causes.

I so wish I had inherited my dad's "mild" RA, even though that was no picnic. But I don't think his RA ever burned out, even at 90. But... he was very active until the end of his life, lived independently, and his mind was incredibly sharp.