Does anyone have RA?

mumsie · 10-08-2009, 08:50 PM

I have recently been diagnosed with this but not put on medicine because of just stiffness and no pain,etc. Well, in the past week I have been having these really sore pains in my elbows, ankles, wrists and knees. I am so scared about having this because I don't know any one with this and I just hear from other people it just gets worse. It will not beat me no matter what- well, that is my frame of mind. But it would really make me feel better to get some advice and maybe have some of you relate to me if you have it,etc. Just need reassurance right now, feeling a little miffed. In the past year I have had spinal surgery and still dealing with pain from that, and have also recently been dianosed with a Thyroid problem and on meds for that as well. It just seems like things keep shooting at me. Trying to keep on trucking on though. Thanks, maybe I just need to vent?

yankeemarko1 · 10-08-2009, 11:30 PM

I assume that by RA you mean rheumatoid arthritis? If yes, I can give you some info.

I have lupus and was diagnosed with RA almost 20 years ago. I have recently been ill (see my Bodyspace) and was just diagnosed with osteoporosis as well. Arthritis is a pain, literally, and it is a lifetime issue. So, if you have it, best to deal with it right up front and not put it off. If you put it off, it will just get worse.

Now, by deal with it, I mean you need to medicate it. I was stubborn for a long time and didn't take medication. Luckily, I am still OK, but this stuff can reek havoc with not only your joints, but also your internal organs. Remember, the inflammation is everywhere. Please see a rheumatologist routinely and get on a drug regimen.

As far as training goes, don't stop!! Lifting weights will keep you loose, it will keep your joints lubricated and it will keep you moving and motivated. If you stop, you will stiffen up and then it will hurt to go back to training. Now, you may need to lower weights on some exercises on certain days because you hurt. Do it!! Don't let your ego get in the way. Lifting some weight is better than lifting no weight. Some days you will have nasty aches in your joints. You are already experiencing this by your post. If something hurts too much, just skip it.

This will take some patience to get used to but you can live normally with RA. You will notice it "moves around". One day knee hurts, next day elbow, next day wrist. I call it the drive by disease. It shoots and moves on quickly!!

If you have questions, let me know. I am glad to help and good luck.

pac8x8 · 10-09-2009, 12:06 AM

What's your diet like? Gluten (most all bread) and casein should be avoided. I know the pizza dough I consume has gluten in it, but I'm aware not to consume it for too long or I'll experience its arthritic effects.

Klayfish · 10-09-2009, 07:28 AM

I have not been diagnosed with RA (probably because I haven't been to a doctor who could make that diagnosis...I just don't want to know right now...

), but I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease about 6 years ago. Crohn's has a very close link with RA. They're both autoimmune diseases with the same issues. RA attacks joints, Crohns attacks digestive. With the very close link, many Crohn's patients also have RA.

I have had trouble with my knees for almost 25 years, and in the past decade or so, I've had increasing aches and pains in most of my joints. Ankles, wrists and hips most notably. And the joint "cracking" is getting more and more fun...Rice Crispies ain't got nothin' on me anymore...

As yankeemarko said, don't stop. Just don't. I like your attitude of not letting RA beat you, no matter what. For me, my symptoms actually motivate me to push harder, so I can kick it's ass. Being sore is going to be part of my daily life, and that's just the way it is. Some days aren't bad at all, some are worse than others. Obviously, if you're ankles are sore, you may not want to try to squat 300lbs or run a marathon, but keep pushing. Keep your joints moving. If you build the muscles stronger around the joints, you will likely notice a decrease in symptoms. You can experiment to see if a wrist brace or something like that helps you. I find they actually hinder me and I don't like them, but I've met some RA patients who really like them (though they didn't workout all that much).

There are lots of great medicines out there to treat this. Remicade is one. I believe they also use Humera as well for RA, I know they do for Crohns as it's what I use. The medications can do wonders to help control the symptoms. You may also want to try supplements to help keep your joints lubricated. I haven't tried them yet, but I'm about to.

There's no sugar coating it. There is no known cure for RA, so unless they find one, it will always be there. It will never "go completely away". And yes, it's normal progression is to get worse eventually...though it may take a very long time to really get worse. So until medicine advances, there isn't much way to get around those facts. But that doesn't mean you can't fight and do everything in your power to control how it effects you.

Keep at it!!!!!

gkrane · 10-09-2009, 07:38 AM

Its strange this came up as yankee and I just discussed this a short time ago. I have a 20 year old daughter who has RA. She takes meds to keep things in check which is absolutely vital. I got her to try weight training about a year ago and for the period she stuck to it she said she literally felt great. She stopped weight training about 3 months ago and is starting to get pains a lot more frequently. I am hoping I can convince her to start again.

mumsie · 10-09-2009, 08:25 AM

Thank you all so much for the relates. I guess I was having a little pity party last night, I was so overwhelmed by everything. It really makes me feel better that there are other people out there going through the same thing. Not that I want someone else to go through it-you know what I mean! =) Love you all~!

Oh, and Pac, I do eat some gluten when I do have a half wheat bagel or whatever, but that is just every so often. I have had nothing like that this week on my diet plan and that is when I started feeling the pain. That was a good question though and I probably wouldn't have thought of that. Thanks.

DaddyR · 10-09-2009, 08:55 AM

Yes and no. I had a Rheumatoid form of arthiritis as just one symptom of Systemic Lupus. The arthritis involved various joints pretty constantly over the course of about 5 years before it went into remission. I was often very limited in what I could do physically, but learned to simply do what I could when I could. The trick is to just take it as it comes and don't let fear of the unknown or worry about it hold you back. Take each day as it comes. Some will be better, some days will be worse. You just have to deal with it as it comes.

Hi_Volume · 10-09-2009, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mumsie

Well, in the past week I have been having these really sore pains in my elbows, ankles, wrists and knees. and have also recently been dianosed with a Thyroid problem and on meds for that as well. It just seems like things keep shooting at me.

Mumsie,
Have you been tested for Lyme infection? Many and I repeat many RA and other Auto Immune diseases are commonly misdiagnosed. I am speaking from experience and a 3+ year struggle with one problem after the next with thyroid/endocrine issues, joint pain, and if it goes to long you may notice some neuro issues (fog, memory loss, light headed,etc).
Most doctors miss it and do not understand how to treat it and wind up treating the superficial symptoms allowing the bacteria to spread throughout effecting many of the body systems. If you continue to see more and more problems you may want to get this checked.

I was misdiagnosed and medicated for years without any relief.

Just another possibility. If your an outdoors person like me it is likely. Only 30% of people recall ever being bit.

The North East is loaded with infected ticks but they are everywhere....

pac8x8 · 10-09-2009, 10:07 AM

Horse pucky! I tend to believe there are 'no incurable diseases...' it's 'bout finding the right nutrition program and since most of commercial food is nutritionally depleted for many many decades now. Nutritional supplementation and el naturalista thinkin' should take precedence. Careful gluten and casein are hidden in a lot of other foods besides just bread, e.g. tv dinners. I do not believe that the rich pharms of drugs fix people, only the farms w/ rich soil. I know, I've tilled a lot of good soil. Start finding the answers in self help books instead of doctors.

kathyfit · 10-09-2009, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mumsie

I have recently been diagnosed with this but not put on medicine because of just stiffness and no pain,etc. Well, in the past week I have been having these really sore pains in my elbows, ankles, wrists and knees. I am so scared about having this because I don't know any one with this and I just hear from other people it just gets worse. It will not beat me no matter what- well, that is my frame of mind. But it would really make me feel better to get some advice and maybe have some of you relate to me if you have it,etc. Just need reassurance right now, feeling a little miffed. In the past year I have had spinal surgery and still dealing with pain from that, and have also recently been dianosed with a Thyroid problem and on meds for that as well. It just seems like things keep shooting at me. Trying to keep on trucking on though. Thanks, maybe I just need to vent?

I've also been hit with several issues....including being diagnosed with RA at a very young age. One of my Rx's was exercise. I currently use that as my only Rx. Don't stop moving because things will tighten up. I've also had several other surgeries and you just have to keep moving....exercise not only helps your body heal, it helps your emotional well-being also! Hang in there!!

pac8x8 · 10-09-2009, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kathyfit

I've also been hit with several issues....including being diagnosed with RA at a very young age. One of my Rx's was exercise. I currently use that as my only Rx. Don't stop moving because things will tighten up. I've also had several other surgeries and you just have to keep moving....exercise not only helps your body heal, it helps your emotional well-being also! Hang in there!!

..and women like Kathy keep me movin' Rx-wise