I know there's a genetic component to RA. I'm from a family of 10 and 5 of us have ra or something similar. The difference is some stressful event brings it out or even lifestyle. Ie., I don't think I take care of my health in the past as much as my sisters and I had a stressful event so I have ra earlier than them. I think the environment was a component in me because my neighbors had cancer and and probably groundwater is Tainted. I also believe that we're more exposed so than the previous generation because they have use chemicals in our food. Just think about it the Eagles went almost extinct because of the DDT they used on crops. Well that's the same crops we were eating. There is a very big environmental impact causing disease and we really need to stop polluting our environment and putting toxic chemicals into our body. I'm trying to change that around by eating organic natural foods and even using natural products clean my house with and my body. I believe it's made a difference on me. I don't feel toxic.

Ra affects mostly females also.

I use to forget to take mine before work also. So I started to keep a bottle with a second set of meds in my purse. That way I could take them there if I forgot.

I also had a high stress job. Plus it was physical. I also worked as an usher in our baseball, football stadiums. And at our college venues. And for music venues at the coliseum. It was a fun job that my husband and I worked to help pay for college for his daughter and then to save for our house. It was fun to see so many entertainers but it took a toll on my body. Working 8 hours at my regular job and then standing for another 3 or 5 hours. A lot of days I would rush home change clothes drive to the end of my street and stop to figure out if I was going to down town or if I was going across town to work a hockey game or basketball game. That was when I first started with pain in my hands. The pain in my hips and legs I figured was from all of the standing and walking. After we quit ushering in 1999 my hands got more sore but the pain diminished in my hips and legs, until 5 years ago it came back with a vengeance. That was when my mother in law's health started to fail and we would drive to her house in Illinois, 6 hours each way, once a month to visit her. So yes stress has been present every time my RA RD got worse.

Yes, I think that it does.

@A myRAteam Member
I put my Vit D right in the middle of my little table I get ready in the morning for work. If they are not right in front of my face, I would forget too. Hugs
At first I even put a reminder on my cell phone so I wouldn't forget to take them.