Rheumatoid Arthritis
Questions + Answers
Biologics
I know we've all discussed this before, but I'm wondering how many of us have tried several biologics (for 3-4 months) without ANY luck.
I am having the hardest time explaining RA and my treatments to friends/family. Some don't understand that 20-40% of RA sufferers have a resistance to their treatments.
I had a friend tell me today that I have been misdiagnosed due to my treatments not working and my constant swollen joints/body.
It's so frustrating trying to explain it all! I do believe there may be… read more
Does anyone else feel like a whimp when they have to admit that they are just not having a good RA day?
I just feel as if family/friends/significant others don't understand when you say you aren't feeling good. I don't want to even admit out loud that I am in pain because I feel like they think I'm trying to get out of something or making excuses. Does anyone else ever feel this way?
Loss of employment???
I've noticed some individuals have posted that they've lost their jobs and wondered how often this occurs. Anyone lose their job due to RA? Was it your decision, or your employer?
Does anyone have wheezing either as a RX side effect or along with RA symptoms.
I had asthma as a child and have had problems only when sick with bronchitis/pneumonia. But since my RA diagnosis (or starting Methotrexate) I wheeze frequently. I find I am extremely sensitive to allergens and will wheeze with very little stimuli. I go to the allergy/asthma specialist next week, but I feel like this is not Asthma. My instinct is that it related to the RA or a medication side effect.
Thanks in advance for your… read more
my husband and I don't smoke and after I lost my voice for 2 years (the doctor figured it was either one of two things that caused that , # 1 the… read more
Does anyone find methotrexate to work really well?
I keep hearing people talk about how intolerable @methotrexate is. I am curious to hear from people who find it to be helping. I started it 3 weeks ago and I can't believe how amazing I feel. Its like someone oiled my joints and told my muscles to behave! I wonder if it's something specific to my condition. I'm sero negative poly inflammatory arthritis. Essentially that just means I have Ankylosing spondylitis symptoms and RA. Virtually every joint is involved… read more
When I was diagnosed with RA in 2015, my first treatment was Methotrexate, 4 pills a week. My Rheumatologist had to gradually increase the dosage to 8… read more
Just curious do you suffer from insomnia more since being diagnosed with RA?
1at winter with RA. Eeeek! Any tips?
Hi RA fam! So this will be my 1st fall & winter having RA. I live in Chicago and our winters are BRUTAL. It's only end of summer & already we have fall whether (which is killing me by the way). In the summer if the AC was too high I would stiffen up. I am so scared, absolutely PETRIFIED thinking of how it's going to feel in the winter. Anything I should know that will help me prepare? Any tips or things I should or should not do? Anything you have bought to ease the… read more
How do you describe a flare to someone who doesn't have RA?
My flares aren't always exactly the same but yesterday I flared badly. I can describe it to my daughter, sorry guys most women will get this, as the overwhelming body aches and exhaustion on PMS. My entire body feels swollen and it throbs and joints ache like a fever. For my hubby and son I can only describe it as throbbing and aching in my entire body. and exhausted like I've run a marathon and haven't slept for days. And even with all that, it doesn't… read more
I have not been in remission since last May. Every day is different. Sometimes the soles of my feet bones hurt so bad I can barely walk and I can hear… read more
Methotrexate- how long before you feel bad side effects after taking your dose?
How long after you take mtx do you start to feel negative side effects? I took my first dose on Friday night (it's now Tuesday) and I have felt terrible all day. I felt almost normal the day after taking it, except for a headache and my lips were a little puffy. All day today I've been super tired and feel like I might pass out.
Anxiety and insomnia
I have had insomnia for a few months and recently had shortness of breath with little exertion. I had a bad episode of aniexty last week and am now being treated for that along with my RA. Has anyone else suffered from these?
