speaking of reading other's stories, i've been reading the onset stories on kelly's website (rawarrior.com) for a few days. it's very validating to see how many people have the same kind of 'unorthodox' path to dx. of course, if so many people have it, it can't be that 'unorthodox' can it?

very true RAFigher ..sorry i thought i read you had it since a child ..MTX scatters my brain...
Im with you on teh heart issues ..and had a hernia repair ..and for the life of me couldnt figure out why it took so long to heal .now i know ...
For myself this has been along road emotionally ..and def physically ..i have some toes that are heading the other way ..and pinkes are starting as well ...knees hurt more then ever and now my hips are joining in on all the fun ..my left elbow has a nodule and i cant hold much in that hand without dropping it :(:( this is not fun at all !! some days i try to fill my days with non disease thoughts and activited but some how my body reminds me all over again ..i cant hide from this ..its the new normal as everyone says ..goodluck to you ...there is most definately support here ...lots of opinions and journeys ...and just sharing life .

How long have you been diagnosed with RA? 13 years.

How old were you when you were diagnosed? 34

Since you have had RA, have you developed any other illnesses as a result of RA? Possibly. I had deep vein thrombosis in 2010 that developed into a pulmonary embolism. While there are better possible reasons for having developed the DVT and PE (broken ankle, limited mobility), RA may have been an underlying factor. Some doctors believe that folks with RA are more prone to DVT/PE.

Current treatment plan? Xeljanz, prednisone, methotrexate, naproxen, minocycline, fish oil.

Any joint deformity related directly from RA? Definitely. Deformities in toes and fingers, change in the angle of all toes and fingers (deviation away from center), nodules on elbows, bunions, Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction that may be related to RA, exacerbation of flat feet, red eyes (probably Sjogren's), and synovial tissue build-up on knuckles and right knee.

Officially diagnosed July 2011 at 53 years old. Never been sick a day in my life before that. The diagnosis came after over a year of suffering not knowing what was going on until I finally broke down and went to the doctor.

No other illnesses.

Current meds:

Methotrexate - 4 tabs a week (reduced from 7)
Folic Acid - 2 tabs a day
Prednisone - 1 5mg tab a day
Humire - one injection every other week.

Just came from my every 3 month appointment with my Rheumatolgist today. Finally making some progress as my flares and fatigue have now been reduced by ~25%.

Diagnosed Feb 2011 at age 44. Symptoms for about 6 yrs prior off and on.

Other illnesses: No. Except I've lost a lot of muscle mass. (legs are thinner, bottom thinner but in both cases, bones hurt when I sit or lay on them a long time

Treatment: NONE (I take meloxicam for inflammation and Tylenol as needed. I'm technically in remission by blood work standards. MILD pain only in a couple fingers, sometimes feet. about 15min of stiffness in am.

No deformities, etc.

I expect to go on DMARDS again at some point. Had a severe liver issue to Methotrexate.

Diagnosed on 21st December four years ago, aged 67. Onset was between lunch and dinner on the day we were boarding a plane, flying overseas for 7 weeks to Greece, Turkey and Dubai - a 20-24 hours flight from Australi. .No previous symptoms at all.
I have had drug-induced Lupus (very rare reaction to Enbrel), cataracts accelerated by RA drugs) surgery, both eyes Aug 2011. Atm, testing for Felty's Syndrome.
Current treatment - Methotrexate 25mg (10 tablets in USA) , plus waiting for Actemra infusions to begin.
Have tried all RA meds, Enbrel and Orencia injections without success. Still looking for the "magic meds" cocktail to control RA.Very frustrating for Rheumy and for me.
Deformity from RA - Little toe and the one next to it on both feet is turning towards toe next to them.

Diagnosed Oct 2010 at the age of 38
Since then diagnosed with Sjogrens,myofascial pain syndrome and now fibromyalgia-jury's still out on if Sjogrens is primary or secondary. Had a complete dental reconstruction last June after years of dental issues.
Degenerative disc disease, osteoarthritis in spine, hips & shoulders.
1st autoimmune dx was alopecia in 1998 at the age of 26.
Currently taking. 08mg mtx weekly, Humira bi-weekly, folic acid, muscle relaxers and hydrocodone & meloxicam for pain.
My toes are starting to deform. Not sure what can be done at this point.

Hi, I was diagnosed forty years ago at seventeen. I've had over twenty surgeries to repair damaged joints. I have been on every medicine known to man :) and am now getting success with weekly Enbrel injections.

Yes, whatever joints remain are deformed, and a few prostheses needed to be removed, then replaced...or not.:)

I have extreme dry eyes, osteoporosis, and constricted esophagus as a result of GERD.

Yet, through it all, I thank God I'm alive. Every day is a gift!

dx 11-13-07 at age 47
will never forget date as it was so bizarre to be so healthy and then over night became so sick I could not take care of my own personal needs. Very fast severe start that was treated aggressively with max dose MTX and a daily dose of 40 mgs prednisone within 3 months. It knocked it back and just like I got so sick over night- I got well again over night. Had to stop MTX for elevated liver enzymes. Found I felt the same off as I did on and the dr. has kept me off monitoring me quarterly.
I don't feel pre RA, have daily bearable pain mostly affecting hands, wrists, feet, ankles. Shoulders & knees like to join in at times. Dr. says I'm in remission.
I take 2000 IU vitamin D, fish oil, advil when needed.
No deformities but have reduced mobility in wrists- 40% & 60%

How long have you been diagnosed with RA?

Since Aug of this year but I knew long before that I had it but put off seeing a RA doctor because of the fear of the meds. I knew someone with it and saw what she went through with the meds.

How old were you when you were diagnosed?

66

Since you have had RA, have you developed any other illnesses as a result of RA?

None that I know of....

Current treatment plan?

I was just pulled off all my meds, why? I have no idea. All I said to him was one of the meds made me sick and he pulled me from all of them. Gave me another script that from what I've read, side effects are worse than what I was taking.

Any joint deformity related directly from RA? None

I am brand new to this. I was officially diagnosed on 28 October 2013. I think I have had symptoms off and on for several years but I couldn't put it all together until mid September of this year.

Shoot...I forgot to answer the other questions. I am 43 years old. I have no erosions visible on x-ray and no deformities at this point. I am taking MTX 10 mg injectable every week. Aleve and folic acid daily. I have Tramadol when the pain is bad enough. I will have labs drawn next week and as long as they look good my MTX dose will increase to 12.5 mg weekly. In late December I'll have labs again and if they are good increase the MTX to 15 mg weekly. I don't know what the finial dose the doctor is looking for at this point.

I have not had any other illnesses as a result of RA. However, I was diagnosed as gluten intolerant about 2 years ago. By the time we realized it was gluten it was too late to test for Celiac since I was already eating gluten free. So I now wonder if it is Celiac since auto-immune diseases tend to come together.

I was dx'd February of this year....though my ortho, pain doctor and PCP, all believe I've had it for a couple of years.

I do have some mild erosion in a few joints plus lots of tendon issues.

February 2014 will be 20 years since I was diagnosed, initially Lupus, at the age of 23. My labs have never been definitively RA or lupus, but I have only exhibited joint issues. I have also acquired Sjogren's Syndrome along the way. I have the beginning of joint deformity, but really believe my rheumys aggressive tx from the start has helped immensely.
I began progressing in 2009 and have tried quite a few of the meds. I developed allergy to Enbrel this summer, and just too first shot of Humira last week. Keeping hope for all here that they find comfort.

3 years, dx at age 23. I don't believe I've had any other illnesses as a result, honestly I'm surprised I haven't gotten sick like they told me I might.
Currently on MTX, Humira once a week, folic, hydroxychloroquine, and aleve as needed.
No joint deformity but mild erosion in the fingers/wrists.

I was on prednisone for about a month last year to knock out a flare up. It helped and I haven't had much pain since.

I also take a bunch of vitamins, and I've found vitamin b-12 really helps promote energy!! (vitamin b-100 if you're really struggling!)