Re: Newly diagnosed with RA at 45

[Guest guest]

I was lucky enough not to get RA until I was sixty and already retired.

Hopefully your rheumatologist will be able to find the correct

combination of medications that will control the RA and allow you to

work. I certainly hope so.

When my RA first started, it did move around from joint to joint.

RA does come with fatigue. You need to learn to pace yourself and

conserve energy if possible.

Good luck!

Sue

On Sunday, May 4, 2008, at 07:52 PM, planetamy45 wrote:

>

> - Who all is out there in the workforce with RA? I'm 45 with two

> kids 5 and 8. My husband and I were counting on my being in the

> workforce for at least 13 more years. Any thoughts on how realistic

> that is? I have a desk job, so my work isn't too physically

> demanding.

>

> - Does your RA move around? Mine is primarily in my hands and feet

> and secondarily in my knees and hips, but today my knees are horrid

> even after maxxing out my meds while my hands are fine.

>

> - Does RA come with fatigue? Or is that the Plaquenil? Or is that

> something else?

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Amy!

Welcome to this great supportive caring knowledgeable group filled with the best

supportive beautiful people I was lucky to find here! I'm 36 and was diagnosed

with CFS at 19 in college. I became disabled 2 years out of college with FMS

and MPS at the age of 30when I was bedbound for 2 years. I have other health

issues, such as chronic sinusitis, allergies, asthma, heart arrythmia,

palpitations, enlarged heart, tietzie syndrome, hypercoagulative, reynauds,

livideo reticularius, liver disease (diagnosed as hepatitis), anxiety, and

bilateral patella femoral syndrome and seronegative RA. I am 36 now.

Each person and case of RA will be different. Some research shows that some

people will have one or two flares and go in to remission and be fine for the

rest of their lives. Some research shows that some of us will have one flare

and never go into remission. Some end up with deformities, others do not. Some

cases are simply more severe and because we all have different chemistry and

make up its difficult to say what will or won't happen, or what will or won't be

realistic. They are making advances in medicine everyday. Some treatments that

will work for one person, will not work for another.

I take Plaquenil and Sulfasalazine (an immuno). I've been off the Sulfasalazine

months at a time, because my immune system cannot stay healthy. I had

bronchitis for three months, then got better, then had two more upper

respiratory infections. I also take an NSAID, but do not take prednisone or

steroids. Unless a flare is so bad I cannot walk.

There are many here who are still working and have families. Many have success

also on Biologic drugs. The best thing you can do for yourself is to have a

great treatment plan, keep joints mobile, rest when you can, pace yourself,

educate yourself, and try to not overdo things. Doing too much at one time

physically can often cause major flares for most. Also, an Occupational

Therapist might be able to offer suggestions for your job as well as setting up

special things that may help alleviate any stress or pain on your end.

planetamy45 <planetamy45@...> wrote: Hi all,

I'm Amy, and I'm very glad to have found this group. I suspected

that I had arthritis for about a year, but denial outweighed pain

until a month ago. I went to a rheumatologist, got diagnosed with

RA and was prescribed Plaquenil and Ibuprofen about 1600-2400 mg (I

was already taking it anyway). The doctor wanted to put me on

Medrol but it makes me completely nuts (a side effect listed

as " irritability " ). The other strategy she wanted to try was to put

me on immunosuppressants, but I'm the world record holder for sinus

infections so we decided not to.

From what I've read, I can't tell how many folks out there are still

in the workforce. I'm 45 with two kids 5 and 8. My husband and I

were counting on my being in the workforce for at least 13 more

years. Any thoughts on how realistic that is? I have a desk job, so

my work isn't too physically demanding.

Questions:

- Who all is out there in the workforce with RA? I'm 45 with two

kids 5 and 8. My husband and I were counting on my being in the

workforce for at least 13 more years. Any thoughts on how realistic

that is? I have a desk job, so my work isn't too physically

demanding.

- Does your RA move around? Mine is primarily in my hands and feet

and secondarily in my knees and hips, but today my knees are horrid

even after maxxing out my meds while my hands are fine.

- Does RA come with fatigue? Or is that the Plaquenil? Or is that

something else?

Thanks in advance!

Amy

---------------------------------

Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now.

[Guest guest]

Hi, Amy... I'm a good bit older than you (65 - almost 66) and I'm

still working. Was working part time the last couple of years

(trying to ease into retirement) but was offered a full-time job in

December, and started it in January. I told my husband last week

that my job is less demanding physically than working at home. So I

may keep on working for several more years! And I can afford to have

someone come in and do the heavy housework!! My job is also mostly

desk work, and they want me to get whatever keyboard, mouse, etc are

most ergonomic so I won't have problems.

My RA is worst in my hands and feet also, but lately my hips, knees,

and shoulders bother me, too. I take Plaquenil and Lodine - so far

no bad effects - and I had the fatigue before I started on

Plaquenil. I had one bad flare a little over a year ago, and am

scared to DEATH of another one, but my doc assures me he can help if

it happens again.

Best wishes for healthy, productive years!

Roselyn in Louisiana

>

> Questions:

>

> - Who all is out there in the workforce with RA? I'm 45 with two

> kids 5 and 8. My husband and I were counting on my being in the

> workforce for at least 13 more years. Any thoughts on how realistic

> that is? I have a desk job, so my work isn't too physically

> demanding.

>

> - Does your RA move around? Mine is primarily in my hands and feet

> and secondarily in my knees and hips, but today my knees are horrid

> even after maxxing out my meds while my hands are fine.

>

> - Does RA come with fatigue? Or is that the Plaquenil? Or is that

> something else?

>

> Thanks in advance!

> Amy

>

[Guest guest]

Hello Amy. I am 43, no kids but I work retail management. My

boyfriend and I are planning marriage and I am already letting him

understand I may not be able to keep this up, which thank goodness is

all right with him. It'a all just too physical in uncontrolled ways,

and the hours are way too long. All my energy is spent getting

through work, which I need as much for the insurance as for the money

right now. If I could spend this energy on more controlled exercise,

I would be able to stay in better condition and also protect my

joints better. We'll see. Best laid plans and all. And only time will

tell how things progress with the RA, we're all different in that

respect. I know a lady who can't stand up straight, the RA has her so

deformed and yet she goes into work every day at the hospital...she

is my inspiration whenever things are bad. One might be able to

continue working for years, or not, depending on how aggressive a

type you have and how one responds to the meds. I have a few ideas

for part time work after we are married and I'm on his insurance,

just enough to pay for medical deductibles and craft supplies to keep

me busy LOL. Joe is also in retail management, higher on the ladder

than me, and we can easily live off his $$. The fatigue has usually

been worse for me than the pain, and if anything the methotrexate I'm

on seems to be starting to help that a bit, thank goodness! Except

the day after I take it, when I sleep the second half of the day. The

pain moves around a LOT on me. Be sure to keep streching regularly

while at that desk, and get things moving through the range of

motion. It seems counterintuitive at times but it really will keep

you more moblie.

--- In , " planetamy45 " <planetamy45@...>

wrote:

> - Who all is out there in the workforce with RA? I'm 45 with two

> kids 5 and 8. My husband and I were counting on my being in the

> workforce for at least 13 more years. Any thoughts on how realistic

> that is? I have a desk job, so my work isn't too physically

> demanding.

>

> - Does your RA move around? Mine is primarily in my hands and feet

> and secondarily in my knees and hips, but today my knees are horrid

> even after maxxing out my meds while my hands are fine.

>

> - Does RA come with fatigue? Or is that the Plaquenil? Or is that

> something else?

>

> Thanks in advance!

> Amy

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Amy, I'm 36 and have had RA since I was 28.  I work full time and I have a

son, age 4, and this baby is due in June.  (Yikes, June.  Someone come over and

make me unpack my boxes!)   Anyway, I'm a psychologist, so when I've feared

having to stop working, my husband will remind me that it's not like I'm a

roofer, or have to do something very physical.  As long as I can make it out the

door, I'm good to go.  My RA is unpredictable.  It moves around and will target

a particular joint for a while, before mixing things up and going for something

unexpected like my jaws or pinkies.  The fatigue is the toughest part for me,

but it's responded really well to my biologic.  I also find swimming, especially

when flaring, makes a big difference.

--- In @gro ups.com, " planetamy45 " <planetamy45@ ...>

wrote:

> - Who all is out there in the workforce with RA? I'm 45 with two

> kids 5 and 8. My husband and I were counting on my being in the

> workforce for at least 13 more years. Any thoughts on how realistic

> that is? I have a desk job, so my work isn't too physically

> demanding.

>

> - Does your RA move around? Mine is primarily in my hands and feet

> and secondarily in my knees and hips, but today my knees are horrid

> even after maxxing out my meds while my hands are fine.

>

> - Does RA come with fatigue? Or is that the Plaquenil? Or is that

> something else?

>

> Thanks in advance!

> Amy

>

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

Be a better friend, newshound, and

know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now.

http://mobile./;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ

[Guest guest]

Welcome Amy!

I'm 48 and diagnosed with RA for only 6 months. Still working and hope

to be able to do so for a long time.

Mine moves around too, but I do have a few " regular " joints where I

know it will usually be showing up. (does that sound like I'm meeting

someone in a bar?)

I've read that fatigue is reported in something like 98% of RA patients

(don't ask me to cite my source though)! I know that for myself, it's

one of the most discouraging symptoms of the disease. Unfortunately,

all of the meds I've taken so far have only intensified the fatigue.

Still learning to deal with this aspect.

Kim

[Guest guest]

>

> Welcome Amy!

>

> I'm 48 and diagnosed with RA for only 6 months. Still working and

hope

> to be able to do so for a long time.

>

> Mine moves around too, but I do have a few " regular " joints where

I

> know it will usually be showing up. (does that sound like I'm

meeting

> someone in a bar?)

>

> I've read that fatigue is reported in something like 98% of RA

patients

> (don't ask me to cite my source though)! I know that for myself,

it's

> one of the most discouraging symptoms of the disease.

Unfortunately,

> all of the meds I've taken so far have only intensified the

fatigue.

> Still learning to deal with this aspect.

>

> Kim

>

Hi Kim,

Thanks for writing! It is so nice to be able to get " reality

checks " from folks who are living with this. It takes away a lot of

the " Am I nuts or is this really happening? " .

I still can't believe how much this changes from one day to the

next. On Sunday I was curled up in a ball on the sofa for 3 hours

before I could contemplate moving -- even after taking meds. Today

I feel like " Who me? Arthritis? Pain? Fatigue? " I haven't felt this

good in over a year. Very strange.

Really great to hear from you!

Amy

[Guest guest]

>

> Hi Amy, I'm 36 and have had RA since I was 28.  I work full time

and I have a son, age 4, and this baby is due in June.  (Yikes,

June.  Someone come over and make me unpack my boxes!)   Anyway, I'm

a psychologist, so when I've feared having to stop working, my

husband will remind me that it's not like I'm a roofer, or have to

do something very physical.  As long as I can make it out the door,

I'm good to go.  My RA is unpredictable.  It moves around and will

target a particular joint for a while, before mixing things up and

going for something unexpected like my jaws or pinkies.  The fatigue

is the toughest part for me, but it's responded really well to my

biologic.  I also find swimming, especially when flaring, makes a

big difference.

>

>

Hi ,

Thanks SO much for your encouraging words and congratulations on

your second!!! Happy Mother's Day twice!

I also chronic stiffness (sometimes pain) in my jaws. It is

probably my earliest sign of RA. Naturally everyone thought I was

clenching my teeth until the pain switched from one side to the

other.

Thanks for the advice on swimming. We recently joined a blessedly

warm pool. What is the biologic you are taking. I don't know what

those are.

Best!

Amy

_____________________________________________________________________

_______________

> Be a better friend, newshound, and

> know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now.

http://mobile./;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ

>

>

[Guest guest]

>

> I was lucky enough not to get RA until I was sixty and already

retired.

> Hopefully your rheumatologist will be able to find the correct

> combination of medications that will control the RA and allow you

to

> work. I certainly hope so.

>

> When my RA first started, it did move around from joint to joint.

>

> RA does come with fatigue. You need to learn to pace yourself and

> conserve energy if possible.

>

> Good luck!

>

> Sue

>>

Hi Sue,

THanks for your hints, I really appreciate all the tips I can get.

And thanks very much for writing, it so much to reach out and people

reach back. It's really wonderful!

Amy

[Guest guest]

>

> Hi Amy!

> Welcome to this great supportive caring knowledgeable group filled

with the best supportive beautiful people I was lucky to find here!

I'm 36 and was diagnosed with CFS at 19 in college. I became

disabled 2 years out of college with FMS and MPS at the age of

30when I was bedbound for 2 years. I have other health issues, such

as chronic sinusitis, allergies, asthma, heart arrythmia,

palpitations, enlarged heart, tietzie syndrome, hypercoagulative,

reynauds, livideo reticularius, liver disease (diagnosed as

hepatitis), anxiety, and bilateral patella femoral syndrome and

seronegative RA. I am 36 now.

>

> Each person and case of RA will be different. Some research shows

that some people will have one or two flares and go in to remission

and be fine for the rest of their lives. Some research shows that

some of us will have one flare and never go into remission. Some

end up with deformities, others do not. Some cases are simply more

severe and because we all have different chemistry and make up its

difficult to say what will or won't happen, or what will or won't be

realistic. They are making advances in medicine everyday. Some

treatments that will work for one person, will not work for another.

>

> I take Plaquenil and Sulfasalazine (an immuno). I've been off the

Sulfasalazine months at a time, because my immune system cannot stay

healthy. I had bronchitis for three months, then got better, then

had two more upper respiratory infections. I also take an NSAID,

but do not take prednisone or steroids. Unless a flare is so bad I

cannot walk.

>

> There are many here who are still working and have families. Many

have success also on Biologic drugs. The best thing you can do for

yourself is to have a great treatment plan, keep joints mobile, rest

when you can, pace yourself, educate yourself, and try to not overdo

things. Doing too much at one time physically can often cause major

flares for most. Also, an Occupational Therapist might be able to

offer suggestions for your job as well as setting up special things

that may help alleviate any stress or pain on your end.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with

Mobile. Try it now.

>

>

[Guest guest]

>

> Hi, Amy... I'm a good bit older than you (65 - almost 66) and I'm

> still working. Was working part time the last couple of years

> (trying to ease into retirement) but was offered a full-time job

in

> December, and started it in January. I told my husband last week

> that my job is less demanding physically than working at home. So

I

> may keep on working for several more years! And I can afford to

have

> someone come in and do the heavy housework!! My job is also

mostly

> desk work, and they want me to get whatever keyboard, mouse, etc

are

> most ergonomic so I won't have problems.

>

> My RA is worst in my hands and feet also, but lately my hips,

knees,

> and shoulders bother me, too. I take Plaquenil and Lodine - so

far

> no bad effects - and I had the fatigue before I started on

> Plaquenil. I had one bad flare a little over a year ago, and am

> scared to DEATH of another one, but my doc assures me he can help

if

> it happens again.

>

> Best wishes for healthy, productive years!

> Roselyn in Louisiana

>

Hi Roselyn,

Thank you so much for your encouraging words!

I have to agree that working at work is a LOT less demanding that

working at home! We " outsourced " our housework as well.

Great to hear that an RA diagnosis doesn't preclude a career!

Amy