I was diagnosed in 2008 at age 57. Been on varying doses of MTX and Prednisone as well as Folic Acid and Tramadol for pain. I also had emergency gall bladder surgery in 2010. No other illnesses except a hip replacement in April of this year for avascular necrosis of the joint. No deformities yet, thank God. I was also in a drug study for Orencia for two years and it was fantastic. No pains or issues while on it. Can't be on it now due to insurance/financial reasons. Currently, my only pain is my left foot which has been swollen and painful for about a month.

Diagnosed with TA 2.5 years ago. I was 26 years old and had just had surgery for a pericardial cyst 4 weeks prior. No other illnesses diagnosed but RA itself makes you feel like you have other illnesses as we all know. I'm taking 400mg of Hydroxychloroquine a day along with folic acid, and 12.5mg of Methotrexate a week. I don't have deformity as of today.

I was diagnosed three years ago at the age of 37. I've been very fortunate to not develop any other illnesses considering I'm a nurse and around sick people all the time. I have been taking Methotrexate since being diagnoses and have tried Enbrel and Humira, which neither one worked. I started taking Xeljanz almost a year ago and have found that it works great for me. It took four months before I saw results, but I am able to lead an active life with occasional flare ups. My middle toe on both feet have started turning inward, but other than that, no other deformities.

ten months, my age is 52, male

take the lowest dose of plaquinel (poorly spelled), nothing else for RA. I do take regular vitamins (shaklee), baby aspr, flax seed oil.

no deformities as of yet

no other associated illness as far as i know

this morning when I awoke my shoulders were stiff and getting sore so I immediately started windmilling my arms and stretching and moving arms. this began breaking up the calcium in the joints and I'm fine now....sounded like i was stomping bubble wrap...attribute it to the cold that finally arrived in SE Alabama

truly believe eliminating night shades are keeping flare ups away. Oh, lastly, when diagnosed i was in the middle of a huge flare (only one thus far) couldn't even dress without help, swollen from fingers upp both arms through shoulders and across the upper back. as soon as i left Dr's office called my Mom. She said, "MOVE". My reply was that geography had nothing to do with it..."No", she sad, "move the joints, limbs, fingers. You must break that stuff up or it'll become permanent". She was right.

Diagnosed 4 years
At 57 years old
Currently on prednisone 5 mg and Xeljanz tablet
Hands just alittle deformity

4 years

I was diagnosed in May 2012 at age 38. I had symptoms for at least a year before diagnosis. I had my last baby in August 2010, and my immune system went totally haywire after I had him. I was sick ALL THE TIME with sinus infections, stomach flus, pink eye, more sinus infections...it was constant.
Inflammation ate the connective tissue in my hands- I had surgery in January 2012 (before diagnosis) to reconnect my extensor tendons to my knuckles. From what I am told, this is a very, very unusual injury, usually affecting one knuckle. It happened to all my knuckles on both hands.

Secondary illnesses: fibromyalgia. Adrenal insufficiency from trying to wean off prednisone. I've been on it since diagnosis in may 2012, and now I'm seeing an endocrinologist to help me wean off safely. Over the summer I had an adrenal crisis which put me in the ER and left me basically useless for a good six weeks. Be careful with the steroids!!!

Medications: I could not tolerate MTX. I failed enbrel and Actemra, and am currently on rituxin infusions. Also prednisone, Vicodin and gabapentin. And of course multi vitamin, extra vitamin d, b complex and calcium. When I can stomach them, fish oil capsules.

I should add that I have been on medical disability from work since this time last year. The insurance company just made me apply for SSDI.

My right hand looks funny- scarred from surgery, with lumps that are non- dissolvable stitches holding my tendons in place. My big toe joints are starting to look different too. Other than that, no deformities yet.

I've had RA for 31 years. I was diagnosed after the birth of first child. Dr. said I probably had a mild case as a child my the looks of the x-rays and bone scans. I was on aspirin therapy for 2 years, then Hydroxychloroquine for 11 years. When that stopped working, Prednisone and some Rx strength N-said for many years. Eventually Methotrexate, added Embriel for 3 years. Tried Humira, Rituxan, Remicade & Orencia. All discontinues after 3-6 months due to severe infections. I've been on Arava for 6 years with small dose prednisone. Added Sulfaslazine this year for 6 months, stopped due to side effects.
I've developed Spinal stenosis permanent nerve damage from waist down on left side, drop foot, genu valgum, 6 fingers are bent out & crook and all the other common hand buckling. I have Secondary Sjougren's. The cataracts & hearing loss is attributed to the prednisone.
My right ankle collapsed 4 weeks ago and in inoperable. I'm being fitted for a brace. I can barely walk across the room.
I've had carpal tunnel due to RA for 10 years.
And, I'm being treated for depression for the past 10 years. (that's common with RA).
Also, 2 knee replacements and 2 surgeries to rebuild lower back.
I've taken ASA, Aleve, Ultram, Vioxx, Tylenol 3, Oxycodeine, & Oxycotin. Please excuse misspellings, It's
been a long day!)

Interesting.
It's been over 2 yrs diagnosed. Although I'm sure it's more like 4-5.
Treated for spinal problems when swelling , joints freezing up, neuropathy etc all started. Finally my doctor noticed the swelling was worse & sent me to Rheumy.
The Rhuemotogist said had to have at least 1-2 yrs before diagnosed.

That was in my mid 40s
Fingers & big toes reshaping
Nodule on elbow
Lose of ROM in shoulder
Spinal ( cervical & SI joint)
Sjogren's
Myofascial damage
Recent vision changes

Enbrel, Motrin 800mg, Rhizotomy for cervical spine
Nerve blocks
Prednisone when needed
Muscle relaxer
Vit D
Calcium
Magnesium
Multi ( when I remember)
Chronic Sinus & respiratory infections since starting Enbrel
Could not tolerate MTX
Hope I covered everything
Currently entered Twilight zone better known as brain fog.
Take care every one.
Sammy

I was diagnosed five years ago at age 28. Before that, at 22, I had a rare spinal problem called cauda equina syndrome, that left me with severe nerve pain, no feeling in my feet, and a mostly paralyzed left foot. I had to have my left foot reconstructed due to damage from walking on it while I had stress fractures (I couldn't feel them). Since my RA diagnosis, I had a herniated lumbar disk bad enough to require surgery. I have had hypothyroid since my teens, but recently it's been out of whack and my dose has been readjusted. I have erosive gastritis (multiple baby ulcers) from taking NSAIDS. I have Sjogrens, and my doctor says I have some lupus crossover, but my official diagnosis is still RA. My toes are a mess, and I have erosions in my hands and feet on X-ray. I also have a tear and a cyst in my hip.

My current treatment includes Actemra infusions, Plaquenil, Arava, and 2.5 mg of prednisone (off that entirely soon, hopefully). I take a long- acting form of morphine called Avinza, and a short acting pain medicine called Nucynta. Actemra is currently working wonderfully for me! I have tried Humira, Enbrel, Orencia, and Remicade, and I was about ready to give up on the biologics, but so far this has been wonderful (4 infusions so far).

I was diagnosed in 2006 but doctor believes I've had it since about 18 years old. They would check my blood about every 2 years but it was negative until 2006. I was 48.

I don't think I developed anything because of RA but I do have a list of illnesses:

Fribromyalgia - Lyrica
Gout - Allopurinal
Osteo-Arthritis - Voltaren tablets
Sjogren's Syndrome - Pillocarpine
Asthma - Singulair, Flovent (steroid), Provental inhalor, prednisone only in emergency
Alergies (exacerbate Asthma) Zyrtec, Nasonex nasal spray
Irritable bowel syndrome
Hiatal Hernia - Prilosec
RA - Actemra, Arava, Calcium, Vitamin D, Norco as needed
Anemia - Folic acid,
Vitamin B12
High Blood pressure - Metoprolol ER
High cholesterol, Lipitor
Neuropathy in feet
fatty liver

I have nodules in my elbows and both small finger knuckles and my fingers are showing mild deformities

I think that's everything (lol)