Re: Newly dx with RA - and scared spitless

[Guest guest]

I just got a bunch of posts, some as old as January but I also

see that my posts from today are already appearing so maybe the problem has

been fixed.

Well, RA is quite variable and most people with RA are able to

lead fairly normal lives but with some limitations. Your best chance for

this kind of life involve early and aggressive treatment of the RA. If

your RA progresses to cause joint damage there is no real recovery even though

many joints can be replaced for some relief of pain and increase of

function. However, once joints are damaged there is no complete

recovery. Usually the initial treatment is with a DMARD

(Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drug) such as Methotrexate or Arava, and

after a few months if there is not sufficient improvement a biologic is added

(usually Humira, Enbrel, of Remicade, and perhaps Orencia or Rituxin).

The biologics are usually more effective and faster acting, sometimes showing

improvement within only a month or so. However, they are much more

expensive - perhaps $1,000 to $2,000 or even more a month. Usually

insurance will not pay for them until the less expensive medications have been

shown to be ineffective.

I don’t think the pain is likely to ever go away but it

will be lessened and you will grow accustomed to it so it is not always a

handicap. You might have to be less vigorous with your outdoor activities

but it is most likely that you can do the same things, but slower. The

amount and kind of exercise will have to be determined but probably it can be a

somewhat tamer version of what you have always done. A few people can do

as much as before RA. A triathlon should be possible.

All medications (even aspirin) have potential side effects but

most of these are unlikely and are fully resolved by stopping the

medications. Joint damage from inadequately treated RA is likely and

permanent. The warning labels are intended not as medical

information but as protection against product liabilities. If they

have warned about something they claim you took your chances with the

medication. They try to list everything that has any remote chance of

being connected to the medication. I read the warning labels but take

them with a large dose of salt – much more than just a grain of salt.

The bright things are that things are almost certain to improve

with proper care, and also new and better treatments are being developed all

the time. I hope you get effective treatment. God bless.

From: Rheumatoid Arthritis

[mailto:Rheumatoid Arthritis ] On Behalf Of &

Todd

Sent: Wednesday, March 04, 2009 10:17 AM

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Subject: Newly dx with RA - and scared spitless

There

doesn't seem to be a lot of activity in this group, but I'll post anyway

because I could use some encouragement instead of what I'm reading about on the

internet. I have recently been dx with RA and am feeling very overwhelmed with

this news (I'm almost 38).

Are there times that the pain goes away? Are there days when I won't think

about having RA? Can I still go hiking, skiing, and biking with my kids (we

have 5 little ones and we are an active outdoors kind of family)? Will I ever

be able to exercise again without it flaming up my joints in my feet, ankles,

hands, wrists and fingers? Can I still train for the triathlon I want to do?

Are there any meds I can be on that don't have side effects? Will I be on meds

forever?

The future seems sad right now....pain, medications, doctors appointments,

treatments, disability....is there anything bright to look ahead to with RA?

Thanks for your help. I really do appreciate it.

[Guest guest]

Hello and thanks for sharing I was diagnosed with Ra when I was just a teenager Im 46 now and it gets worse and worse. I stretch before work and will slow down when the good Lord tells me and I get that student loan paid off. WD40 works for me and analgesic gel also. Keep me posted with your progress.

From: & Todd <belmontclan218@...>Subject: Newly dx with RA - and scared spitlessRheumatoid Arthritis Date: Wednesday, March 4, 2009, 1:16 PM

There doesn't seem to be a lot of activity in this group, but I'll post anyway because I could use some encouragement instead of what I'm reading about on the internet. I have recently been dx with RA and am feeling very overwhelmed with this news (I'm almost 38).Are there times that the pain goes away? Are there days when I won't think about having RA? Can I still go hiking, skiing, and biking with my kids (we have 5 little ones and we are an active outdoors kind of family)? Will I ever be able to exercise again without it flaming up my joints in my feet, ankles, hands, wrists and fingers? Can I still train for the triathlon I want to do? Are there any meds I can be on that don't have side effects? Will I be on meds forever? The future seems sad right now....pain, medications, doctors appointments, treatments, disability.. ..is there anything bright to look ahead to with RA?Thanks for your help. I really do appreciate

it.