Comments on: Can Rheumatoid Arthritis Kill You?

By: Lisa Calhoun

Lisa Calhoun — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:38:51 +0000

One question, isn’t Orencia and Methotrexate a chemotherapy drug?

By: Lisa Calhoun

Lisa Calhoun — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:36:34 +0000

Living with RA is frustrating to say the least. Like many of you the fact that when you say Rheumatoid Arthritis usually the first thing out of someone’s mouth is “Oh I have arthritis in my knees, etc.,etc. It really hurts the soul to think that so many do NOT understand this disease simply because of it’s name! I am 48 and am currently taking Orencia IV once a month, methotrexate, plaquenil and arava – plus Naproxen. My markers usually still run from 48 to up in the 80′s! Everyday hurts, everyday I am TIRED!

I have had synvectomy on my right elbow, left elbow, right hip, knee surgery, rotator cuff surgery, ulnar nerve surgery in right elbow and have now been told I have neuropothy in both legs and arms! Go to the Orthopedic Surgeon on Thursday, probably going to have a second surgery at least on my right shoulder and elbow (again)! I have RA nodules in my lungs and chronic Bronchitis!

I say this out of frustration that as many drugs as I take this horrible disease is still ravaging my entire body. It does my heart good to see other posts and to not feel all alone in this fight and that their are others who do understand your pain and fight! I am on disability and I too get mean looks parking in a handicapped spot. I know that feeling all too well.

I want to thank you for this site it has helped me tremendously and let me know what all we need to do to get the name changed! God Bless you!

By: Robin Trafton

Robin Trafton — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 21:33:33 +0000

I was on Enbril, methotrexate, & plaquenil etc when I was rushed to the ICU and evenutally treated for disseminated histoplasmosis 2009. I would not be alive today had the doctors not tried the antifungal therapy. The source of my fungal infection is still unknown – and my medical therapy today is severly hampered by the possibility that the infection will return.
I am so thankful to find your website – but wish you included more information warning others of this very serious issue. I would be happy to share my personal story if you believe it would help. thanks, Robin, Kansas City, MO
http://arthritis.about.com/od/brms/f/infections.htm

By: Kelly Young

Kelly Young — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:27:21 +0000

Welcome Michelle. Sounds like a lot of things have happened to you that are familiar to many of us. Congratulations on still working full time.

I believe the ignorance will end as we begin to help people realize the disease is more than a form of arthritis, but a disease. Arthritis is actually only one of the symptoms.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 21:52:05 +0000

Interesting article. I’ve had RA since I was 20, I am now 35. My type of RA is extremely aggressive, I have been on Methotrexate, Remicade and now finally Orencia (which god bless has prevented me from having flare-ups). Unfortunately blood work still shows my inflammatory markers are still really high; nearly triple. It’s unfortunate that so many people are ignorant when it comes to this form of arthritis. I’ve actually had people tell me “it’s not that bad”, give me dirty looks when I’ve had to use my permit to park in a handicap spot or even worse call me lazy when I required an electric wheelchair on 2 occasions. I was told I’d be in a wheelchair by the time I was 30 (luckily I’m not), have had 3 surgeries, and yet am still working full time as
an activities director. Thank you for writing this article and informing people of what RA is and what it can do.

By: Kelly Young

Kelly Young — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 00:35:17 +0000

I’m very sad for you Amanda. I’m sorry for your loss.

I heard a doctor give a speech last week saying that a person is 6 times more likely to die of infection in the US if he has RA disease, even without any risks of medications – jsut from a broken immune system. But most don’t realize RA is even a disease at all – confusing it as a type of arthritis.

By: Amanda Peek

Amanda Peek — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 05:20:18 +0000

I think it’s wonderful that u developed a site like this for people to research this terrible disease. My dad passed away Dec 11, 2011 at the age of 51. He had battle RA since he was 18yrs old and RA is what caused him to pass it kept causing infection after infection and had already caused him never to walk again he spent his last year in a wheelchair and in and out of the hospital.

By: Sharon Leishman

Sharon Leishman — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 23:50:30 +0000

Thanks Kelly for your feedback. RA Warriors has really helped me. I was diagnosed with the pulmonary fibrosis in March 2011. I’ve had coughing and lung problems like pneumonia and bronchitis since I was a kid; but, they do think it is RA related. I’m not so sure since I’ve coughed for the last 5 or 6 years to some degree. It’s good to hear that the later in life you are diagnosed the better for longevity. Don’t know that I want to live to my 90′s but would like more than a couple of years and I know that the fibrosis complicates things. I appreciate all of the info that I get.

By: Kelly Young

Kelly Young — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 21:20:52 +0000

Sharon, while it’s true that the life expectancy is reduced with RA by about 10 to 15 years, it has been noted that the disease has a milder systemic effect when one is diagnosed later (especially after age 60). So, let’s hope that’s right and you will live into your nineties as well. I think the best approach is to fight very hard and be extremely conscientious about medical care while assuming the best outcome.
How long have you had the pulmonary fibrosis? Do they think it’s related to the RA?

By: Sharon Leishman

Sharon Leishman — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 19:58:22 +0000

Can anyone tell me what the average life expectancy is with RA? I was diagnosed a year ago but I believe I’ve had it at least 3-5 years. RA has now complicated my lungs with pulmonary fibrosis so I’m sure that has also changed my life expectancy. My parents lived to their early 90′s. I’m 65 right now. I know this is a shot in the dark but I hear shorter life expectancy but no info of what that is.