I had an elevated c-reactive protein reading show up in an arthritis profile but went 5 years before being diagnosed with sjogrens syndrome, and then about 4 or 5 years before being diagnosed with RA. We had been caring for a foster child who was acting out and his placement disrupted. It was extremely stressful. At the same time our older son (now adopted) was acting out and having all kinds of problems. I think my body was just worn out, but I don't know. My mother had dermatomyositis, also an autoimmune disorder, so maybe it was going to happen even if I had a blissful, stress-free life - as if anyone does!

Thanks for all your replies.

I just wish I'd never had that Swine Flu Vaccination.

Cheers

Angel

Had a car accident while driving and putting on lipstick at the same time going about 70mph fx pelvis in a wheelchair for a year. T

Bumping up so new people can read and add

In November 2009, I got my first-ever flu shot (for H1N1). A few months later, my health decline began. It sounds like a conspiracy theory, but what was in that vaccination??

Rose

Tamoxifen induced.

Well it is hard to say what triggered my RA but it wasn't a flu shot. I did have a lot of stress a yr ago taking care of my terminally ill mother and working full time. It was also stressful on my new marriage. 8 months later I woke up one morning in aug with a swollen rt wrist and 2 days later a swollen lt shoulder. It was down hill from there! I then went into all my joints swelling bilaterally and the nausea and fatigue sent me to the doctor. I was diagnosed Nov. 15th and have been on mtx injections which only made me sick and now I am giving myself embrel injections for the last month. I must say the thought of doing this weekly for years is depressing but it has helped and the swelling has decreased tremendously. I also had this disease and can't believe how much my life has changed in such a short period of time. I do wonder when the pain will stop.

I did have my 1st flu shot last year, the swine flu vaccine. But didn't get sick for the last year.

I believe mine came on from extreme stress. I have a hard time putting thing aside and watching others ruin their lives. I had a family member make very bad decisions and still is. I believe that it is making me worse.

" USN Retired, Chief Petty Officer, Worked as a maintenance chief on EA6B Prowler electronic jammers for my last 12 years in the Navy. Spent a lot of time on carriers, USS Midway, USS Coral Sea, USS Nimitz, USS Abraham Lincoln, and others. The navy was a good life, but hard work. The hours were long and endless. It was stress on steriods. I don't think that is what caused the RA. Mine started too long after retirement. I think that mine may have started when my wife had west nile 3 years back and was so sick for months. I thought for sure she was dying. I would leave for work in the morning and come home on my break and at lunch to check on her, she was in bed almost incoherant and having mild convulsions at the time. Off and on fever, took her to the local ER 3 times, got 3 different DXS. After the 3rd trip the next night she was having a horrible time, I packed her up and took her to Wichita to Wesley, spent 24 hrs while they ran every test in the book. Brought her home and spent a week with her while she suffered, finally got the DX. Of course there is no cure for WN they just treat the symptoms, sound familiar? She slowly came out of it over the next few weeks. It was the worst summer/fall of my life. Later that fall I started having foot problems, and it just got worse. Norma is doing pretty good. She also has a depressed immune system from the WN so we are often sick together. Great life! "

This is from an earlier post but most of it applies to the topic. I agree with the Stress factor. I think stress is probably the leading candidate for causing RA. I am sure there are many other causes but I personally can't think of much else in my life that would have brought it on. Charlie

Mine was STRESS from my fathers heart attack we almost lost him 3 times he was in the hospital for 4 months. And a month after that had to travel for work.. And a month after that my new BFF (RA)came to stay with. LOL SO I believe it was all that STRESS..

GOD BLESS

I have bumped this up as it is relevant to a new post on the board re Trauma and RA.

Perhaps newer members could add their thoughts.

I believe mine was stress and grief from the loss of my son. I tend to hold everything inside.

This is an interesting thread. Thanks for sharing. Mine could have been giving birth--could have been a car accident--could have been just there. So hard to know. I have always blamed it on the rods in my back because I cannot believe that my body wouldn't try to fight that foreign invade in some way. Then again, I have had many health issues. I was hospitalized with pneumonia every winter (almost dying at age 4) until I was 7 or 8.

Definitely was not the flu vaccine. I know it was stress as I look back at what was going on in my life.