New To The Group

[Guest guest]

Hello & welcome to the group (you didn't write your name).

My name is . I'm 24 years old and have Reactive Arthritis

(RAA), a type of arthritis that normally affects men over the age of 60. My

symptoms started when I was 22 and in my last semester at college. During

my 1st trip to the ER, the doctor told me I tested negative for the

rheumatoid factor. Therefore, I did not have arthritis (I later learned he

was very, very wrong).

When I was finally diagnosed with arthritis 6 weeks & 12 doctors later, I

was told that I could eventually test positive for the rheumatoid factor. I

get my blood tested every 2-3 months and the rheumatoid factor is checked

just to keep an eye out.

By the way, problems sleeping are common -- especially when you're in

pain.

Good luck.

>Two weeks ago I was retested again at a different

>medical facility and the rheumatoid factor was positive once again.

>All during these seven years my Sedimentation rate has been

>elevated. Does anyone know of this happening where you will have a

>normal RH factor then an abnormal one. It seems I stay in pain and

>am having problems sleeping. I toss and turn all night while in

>pain. If anyone can make any suggestions I would really appreciate

>it. Thanks for listening and I am glad to be a part of your group.

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" Service is the rent we pay for being. It is the very purpose of life,

and not something you do in your spare time. " (Edelman)

" Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and

leave a trail. " (Emerson)

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[Guest guest]

Hi everyone! I'm the new kid on the block (LOL!). My name is

Barbara. I'm 37 yrs. old & I have RA. I was diagnosed a year and a

half ago.

Currently, my RA is pretty much under control. I have some rough

days but I hang in there. I'm on quite a lot of medication: Medrol,

Plaquenil, Methotrexate, Ansaid, Darvocet & Folic Acid. In addition

to the RA, I also have asthma.

I hope to make some new friends & that I can contribute to the

group. I've read many of the posts & found them very helpful. It's

a big help to talk to people who can truly understand.

I hope that all of you have a pain free day!

Best wishes,

Barbara

[Guest guest]

,

I am wondering some of the same things. Has the Dr suggested it might be psoriatic arthritis? The hands, fingers, toes, is where that usually happens first. I have been told recently that many with it don't have much psoriasis or it doesn't show up first. It hasn't gotten to my toes yet but I am wondering if I will be dealing with this amount of pain in my hands forever.

-----Original Message-----From: mowed2001 [mailto:mowed2001@...]Sent: Wednesday, October 01, 2003 3:42 PMRheumatoid Arthritis Subject: new to the groupHelloI have been a member for a while just lurking and reading, trying to learn all I can. My name is , and I have not been completely diaignosed yet. They say it is Arthritis but thay have not said just what type. I believe it may be rheumatoid since the symptons match closer to that than any other I have read about. My Great Grand Mother had it. I am seeing my rheumatologist as directed. I am on Celebrex twice daily, and 2 days a week I take Predizone. I have a question I would like some help on. How much pain should I expect to have daily. I know weather and other factors come into play. But just how much pain on normal days. I don't hurt near as bad after the day or two after taking predizone. Then it seems to get worse as the days go by. I am wondering if the Celebrex is working at all. My worse pain is in my hands, fingers, wrist, feet and toes. I don't want to be to long winded. but should I expect to hurt this way the rest of my life, or is the better medicine I can take. I am not whinning, I just don't know what to expect. Thanks

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

With the medications I am on my rheumatologist says the RA is " under

control " because I have no active inflamation in my joints.

My feet still hurt because the cartilege which cushions the foot

bottom is gone but it is not a sharp pain.

So basically I would say that with it under control I am not in pain

except that the mechanics of the damaged joints needs to be

considered. I rest the wrist joints by wearing splints at night

which helps a fair bit.

Annette

>

>

> Hello

>

> I have been a member for a while just lurking and reading, trying

to

> learn all I can. My name is , and I have not been completely

> diaignosed yet. They say it is Arthritis but thay have not said

just

> what type. I believe it may be rheumatoid since the symptons match

> closer to that than any other I have read about. My Great Grand

> Mother had it. I am seeing my rheumatologist as directed. I am on

> Celebrex twice daily, and 2 days a week I take Predizone.

>

> I have a question I would like some help on. How much pain should I

> expect to have daily. I know weather and other factors come into

> play. But just how much pain on normal days. I don't hurt near as

bad

> after the day or two after taking predizone. Then it seems to get

> worse as the days go by. I am wondering if the Celebrex is working

at

> all. My worse pain is in my hands, fingers, wrist, feet and toes. I

> don't want to be to long winded. but should I expect to hurt this

way

> the rest of my life, or is the better medicine I can take. I am not

> whinning, I just don't know what to expect. Thanks

>

>