Comments on: Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis: Are There New Clues?

By: Linda Basta

Linda Basta — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 00:39:39 +0000

I had asthma for years before the onset of RA. Probably Also IBS & Leaky gut. But I’ve had to go on an acid pump inhibitor in recent years.
I can also trace my onset to a major life stressor, So I think that when there is a combination of factors….this can trigger the RA.
I’m suprised that no-one is mentioning bacterial infection.
There is a whole school of thought on this. Anyone familiar with “the Road Back Foundation’? Many have gotten awesome results with intense anti-biotic therapy. (not I )
I am presently trying Advanced Cell Training (ACT), a unique kind of bio-feedback program dealing with re-training cell memory. Very interesting. (Search on Facebook)

By: Mary Mills

Mary Mills — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 17:39:56 +0000

I agree with the idea that pesticides can cause RA. My mother was exposed to Lindane De-Flyer, used in grocery stores. She was pregnant with me at the time and became very ill. Later, she was diagnosed with Parkinsons Disease, and I have RA.

By: Charlene Brewster

Charlene Brewster — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 15:18:35 +0000

P.S. My dad had RA, too, so definitely seems to be a family connection here.

By: Charlene Brewster

Charlene Brewster — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 15:16:16 +0000

I think I have a genetic predispostion to have RA as I have it, my sister has it, my daughter has it, and it is suspected that my granddaughter has it. I grew up in a town where the main employers were chemical plants (this was before regulations). All were bad, but the fumes from one of the plants was so toxic that it hurt so much to breathe that I tried to hold my breath when passing it. Trucks spraying mosquito insecticide went around town on a regular basis, and because we lived in a hot, humid area where all kinds of unwanted insects live, my mother used pesticides that were so toxic that they were banned years ago. Kelly, thank you for all your work in keeping us current in what research is being done. There is no way my doctors could tell me all this in the amount of time that I am with them.

By: Mary Mills

Mary Mills — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 13:31:17 +0000

I believe there is a strong connection between noxious chemicals and RA. My mother bacame extremely ill when Lindane de-flyer was used in our groccery store many years ago. Unfortunately, she was pregnant with me at the time. Years later, she not only had RA, but Parkinsons Disease as well. Now I have RA…..so I truly believe we are poisoning ourselves with overuse of chemicals.

By: Kelly Young

Kelly Young — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:54:06 +0000

Hi Robyn, I saw one report last yr that it could even be hair color that increases risk. Feels like we know so little about this disease…

By: Robyn

Robyn — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:01:20 +0000

I read with interest the notion that chemical exposure might have something to do with RA. For over 30 years I have had high exposure to pollution, and many different chemicals in my previous work environments. Some chemicals had warnings and we wore protective eye gear, but nothing about wearing masks. One chemical was so bad it caused me instant headaches, and I could not even be in the same room. One office I worked in at one point had hazmat come in to redo the office due to the asbestos. Bug sprays and either professional or store bought were a way of life, due to the area where I lived. I also was exposed to big volume highway traffic and dusty side roads. My husband had two severe diseases, but I never contracted them. I returned to work once again in a previous work environment with some changed chemicals, but still much chemical use. After a pinched nerve and fx vertabrae, the onset of RA took hold of my body. The doctors say it could be anything–Anything?? Umm?

By: Pamela Montgomery

Pamela Montgomery — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 14:37:43 +0000

WOW I just somehow wiped out my post!

The subject is something on my mind lately. After reconnecting with many of my high school classmates on Facebook, I have found a REALLY large percentage of us have a chronic illness or cancer or have died from cancer. This seems to be true of other people in the town in which I grew up.
The only businesses other than a grocery, a drug store and a couple of banks and shops were chemical plants.
Back before restrictions and guidelines were put in place, these plants polluted the air, the water, the ground – everything. I remember seeing pools of stagnant turquoise water outside of the plant where my Daddy worked.
The town is now only about 2400 people strong but at the time I was growing up there were maybe 1500. What strikes me as being odd is the high percentage of people who are ill. In a graduating class of 156, over 50% of us have a chronic illness, cancer – or have died from cancer.
I do know RA was in my family, my grandmother had it, my sister has it and there may have been others.
I just have to wonder how much of this was caused by the chemicals that we breathed, touched, ate, etc each and every day while growing up.
They do have guidelines and restrictions now but it is like my own little Silkwood or Love Canal.

Thanks for another on the money topic Kelly.

By: Kelly Young

Kelly Young — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 14:05:29 +0000

Shannon,

It’s very hard to find any statistics about that. I read some once and I can’t even find that article now. There is genetic testing but that is very expensive I think. And even if the genes that come with RA are present, RA may not occur.

However, the Rheumatoid Factor test and the anti-CCP tests are much more common/accessible. I’d opt for those if you are suspicious. It won’t hurt him to run them at a checkup. They are not definitive either. You can have the antibody in the blood and not have symptoms or vice versa. But, it’s a good indicator.

We do have several child/parent with RA in our Facebook group so if you really need to make connections, let me know I can help you there.

By: Shannon Trevizo

Shannon Trevizo — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 18:34:11 +0000

Ao Im sorry we might have toouched on this someplace and I cant find it.. Ive been searching the internet about the possibility for our children to get RA and when should they be tested. how soon does the ra factor show up in blood tests?? My son had showed signs of jra years ago but the tests come up neg.. just last night again his feet and ankle s swelled up .. He is 14.. was born with Spina Bifida. has always had aches and pains so its not like i could follow this jsut form his pain o meter..
Thanks in advance for yout replys yall!