Click here to view a complete listing of Rheumatoid Arthritis stories on this site with disclaimer.
Stephanie’s Rheumatoid Arthritis story
Jodi’s Rheumatoid Arthritis story
Andrew’s Rheumatoid Arthritis story
Stephanie’s Rheumatoid Arthritis story, in her own words…
In 1976, I started having symptoms at 2 years old. My hands, legs, back and hips would ache and were very stiff. My paediatrician told my parents that it was just “growing pains” and that it would pass. This continued for 2 years until my parents finally demanded that blood work and X-rays be done as now at age 4, I had gone back to crawling as it was just too painful to stand, let alone walk. After reviewing the results, the paediatrician said I had probable Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. At the time I lived on Prince Edward Island, Canada’s smallest province, and there was not a Rheumatologist that specialized in children on the Island so this diagnosis could not be confirmed, nor could I be treated. My parents were told to keep me as comfortable as possible, give Children’s Aspirin if the pain became too much to bear and to keep be as active as I possibly could stand. They promptly put me into competitive dance and while I was in pain and endured terrible stiffness, I excelled. I was the Provincial Champion in both tap and step dancing and was one of the top 5 Highland dancers in the province.
In 1984, at age 10, my family moved to Ottawa, Ontario, Canada’s capitol. My new paediatrician immediately sent a referral to the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario for both a Rheumatologist. In the meantime I continued my dance classes but they were becoming increasingly difficult. I finally saw a Rheumatologist for the first time in December 1984 and was diagnosed with (Adult-type Juvenile) Rheumatoid Arthritis. The doctors told me and my parents, that I’d go into remission in my early 20’s and that would be it. No more disease. They also said in a way, I was lucky as it meant I’d also never have Osteoarthritis (OA) as an adult.
DMARD’s were not yet approved in Canada for children, so I was put on Tolectin, an anti-inflammatory. I was to stop dancing immediately, and was not to even participate in gym class. I was sent to both physio and occupational therapy, where I was given exercises, treated with various machines to reduce inflammation and fitted for arm and leg splints.
Between January 1985 and September 1985, my medications had been changed many times. I had tried Tolectin, Motrin, Entrophen and a few others I can’t remember. I started going to Aqua-therapy twice a week. I found that very depressing though, as I was the only child in the class. Everyone else were elderly patients in wheelchairs and seeing my possible future was heartbreaking. In the end my parents, felt that the bad out weighed the good and removed me from the classes.
In September 1985, I sprained my left ankle and tore many ligaments. I was put on crutches for 6 weeks. Unfortunately, my RA decided that would be the perfect time to attack that same foot. My foot turned inward and seized. I ended up being on crutches for a year. My Rheumatologist pulled me out of school and I was provided with tutors so I could complete my studies at home. My medications were still being changed often and at one point I was taking 14 different pills a day. I continued with the physio and occupational therapies and hoped that life would take a turn for the better soon.
Throughout my teens, I don’t remember not having a flare-up somewhere even for a day. Some flares were minor, only affecting 1 or two joints, others attacked my entire body with a vengeance. By this time, Indocid, Naprosyn, and Voltaren had been added to my ever growing list of failed medications. I tried gold and cortisone injections when things were really bad. It got to the point where whatever medication took the edge off that particular flare would be the one I would take. I started losing my voice often, but no one connected it to my RA. I was given antibiotics each time and eventually it came back.
When I was 16, some DMARD’s were finally approved for children. I was put on Sulfasalazine however, I was allergic to it and had to stop it almost immediately. Methotrexate was in early trials for children here, and was being prescribed to older teens with some success. But as soon both my parents and I had heard that it was a “low-dose of a cancer drug”, we immediately declined. I had gotten myself this far without it and as I was still being told that would go into remission in my early 20’s, felt I could hang on these last few years without it.
Sure enough, when I was 20, I went into remission. The rheumatologist told me at that time, “Ok, you should be fine now. If you have a problem, just come back and see me.” I was fine for a year. A year later, I couldn’t walk for 6 months so I was on crutches again. But it took 12 months to get an app’t with the rheumatologist and by the time I went back, I was fine, so nothing was done. After that, I decided to just treat any issues on my own. I was well equipped after 15 years of physio to take care of small flare ups myself. And really I’d only have a minor flare-up for about a month or two in the winter; usually my feet, knees or hips. The odd time I’d go to my GP if the pain was really bad and they’d tell me, “Oh it’s probably just tendonitis. Take Naprosyn, rest and ice and you will be fine.” So I still thought I was in remission and these odd flare-ups were just old injuries being aggravated.
Then, just after my 30th birthday in 2004, I started having lung issues. I lost my voice permanently and suddenly had severe multiple chemical and scent sensitivities (MCS). As lung disease runs in my family, I was tested for everything lung related and was told I had everything from COPD, to acid reflux, to it was just all in my head. This was even though I had small masses in my lungs showing on CT’s. I gave up going to Dr.’s and just lived my life, as debilitating as it was.
About a year ago, the lung issues were worsening and my husband persuaded me to try once again. I went back to a fourth respirologist. This respirologist too said he couldn’t help me. He adjusted my inhalers, and said to avoid all chemicals and scents which is easier said than done. He did however, re-do the CT, but this time a high resolution one, just in case something was missed. When I returned for the test results, he said he had looked up my old hospital file and wanted to know why I never told him or any other respirologist for that matter that I had RA. I said, “Well I had the juvenile version and I went into remission at age 20 and was told I didn’t have it any more. Besides, what does a joint disease have to do with lungs, voice and chemical sensitivities?” He said, “I don’t think you are in remission. You need to see a rheumatologist”. I thought he was crazy (as he never did explain his reasoning). But I went back to my family doctor and requested the rheumatology referral. Coincidently, around the same time, I tore the tendons that run from the elbows to the wrist in both arms so at the same time, I got a referral for physio. The waiting list for the rheumatologist was 12 months. I didn’t really care as I didn’t see what the big issue was. In the mean time I went to physio. I decided to go back to the one I saw for as a kid as I figured she knew me best and could treat the tendon tear a lot faster as a result. She too asked why I hadn’t seen a rheumatologist in 15 years. I asked her why is everyone telling me to go? She said, “Because it explains everything. You need to go ASAP. You can’t keep living like this!”. Well, with a 12 month waiting list there wasn’t much I could do but wait. And during the 12 month wait, I not only lost use of my elbows and wrists, but my shoulders were down to 60 degrees rotation, and both knees and hips were so bad that walking or sitting was difficult.
Finally in January 2009, I got to see the rheumatologist. When I arrived, I had to fill out a questionnaire and found I was circling everything on the list (including voice loss, skin issues, eye issues and chemical issues). But I still figured that this doctor, like all the others before him, would just say I’m fat and there is nothing wrong with me. Much to my surprise, he never mentioned my weight. He explained that once you have RA, you have it forever. That RA also puts you at an increased for OA due to joint damage. He explained that RA not only attacks your joints, but it also attacks your organs, skin, and also can cause chemical sensitivities as the immune system is in overdrive. The arthritis in the name is really a misnomer. But they call it arthritis as, in most cases, the problem is mainly with the joints.
He sent me off for a bunch of blood work and X-rays of pretty much every bone and joint in my body. It took me a full day to get everything done. When I went back for the results a few weeks later, he said, “Well the good news is, this isn’t all in your head. The bad news is you have RA that has been untreated for 15 years and there is a lot of permanent damage. Because of all the damage, you also now have osteoarthritis in your knees and hips”. My blood levels for RF was positive and inflammation levels were extremely high. The X-rays showed damage to just about all my joints. I will end up having both knee and hip replacements within in the next 10 years. The lung masses on that CT 5 years ago, were not benign tumors after all. They were rheumatoid nodules. The voice loss is due to damage to my cricoarytenoid joint, a joint in the larynx (who knew your throat had joints too?!). I was in tears in the office. He said, “Don’t worry, while we can’t reverse the damage done, we can try to limit any future damage some.” I said I wasn’t crying because I was upset. I was crying because finally, after 5 years of being told it was all in my head, and worrying I would die before anyone figured out what was wrong with me; I finally have an answer. Yes, the answer isn’t great but I wasn’t crazy. I really did have something wrong with me.
I was immediately put on 20mg, by injection, of methotrexate. In addition, I was given Tramadol 300mg daily; and Naprelan 1000mg daily. I’ve also had cortisone injections, in both shoulders, knees and hips. I have RA related eye issues requiring that I apply lubricating drops or ointment 5-6 times a day; A also take 5mg of Folic acid daily to help with the MTX side effects.
While I am still in a constant flare-up, I can see that I’m getting better a little more every day. My voice is not back completely but it’s better. I am understandable now. It just sounds like I have a bad cold, instead of sounding like an alien all the time. The chemical sensitivities will never go away, but maybe in time they won’t be as severe. The lung damage is permanent but with the new drugs as well all the previous lung medications, it’s stabilized. And just the fact that I now KNOW, makes a world of difference. I’m sorry that I wasn’t given the correct info when I was a kid as the lung damage and voice loss could have been prevented. But it’s no one’s fault. Research 30 years ago, or even 15 years ago, isn’t what it is today. They just know more now. I am learning more about this disease every day and am amazed at all the new knowledge and treatments there are out there.
I hope that by telling my story, I can save someone else from going though what I have. If nothing else, I hope I have empowered others not to give up. Don’t listen if you are told it’s all in your head. Chances are it’s not.
Stephanie’s blog, where you can even hear her voice on a video webcam.
Post on this blog which discusses Stephanie’s Cricoarytenoid Arthritis.
Jodi’s Rheumatoid Arthritis story, in her own words:
My RA History
One evening after work in the summer of 1997, my left shoulder became achy. By bedtime, it was really painful and difficult to raise. I took two Advil and tried to sleep, but my shoulder burned inside. No matter what position I tried, I couldn’t move away from the pain. Around 1:00AM, I reclined in the La-Z-Boy in the living room so I wouldn’t keep my husband up.
A lady I worked with had recently passed away. The symptoms of her sickness began as sudden, mysterious joint pain. It turned out to be breast cancer that had spread throughout her body. I just knew my sudden, mysterious joint pain was cancer too, and I cried the rest of the night.
I called the general practitioner as soon as they opened and took the first available appointment. The doctor diagnosed bursitis and prescribed a steroid pack plus antibiotics. Both of us were baffled why I had it, since bursitis in the shoulder is typically a sports injury and I hadn’t done anything. The only thing we could guess was that I had lifted my then 20-month-old son incorrectly. At least I was comforted to know it was not cancer.
The bursitis cleared in a few days, but six months later, I awoke with the tops of both hands from the base joints of my middle, ring, and pinky fingers to the wrists puffy, red, and tender to touch. I had begun a new exercise regimen days before and thought maybe I’d hurt my hands somehow.
The inflammation disappeared from my hands after a couple days but appeared across the base joints of my toes on both feet. I remember joking with my coworkers that I must have arthritis. After all, I had just had a birthday and was getting so much older! I had just turned twenty-six.
When the redness and swelling left my feet and returned to my hands, I returned to the doctor. I don’t remember her checking any table of requirements or counting the number of joints affected, but she did take a blood test. Its results were positive for Rheumatoid Arthritis, so I was sent to a rheumatologist.
The rheumatologist retested me, confirming the GP’s diagnosis, and treated me with Plaquenil, Lodine (NSAIDs), and Prednisone. I took Prednisone until I gained about fifteen unwanted pounds and became irritable, then refused to take it anymore. While the other meds were ok, they did not really benefit me. I still had mild flares that caused me to wear elastic supports and braces.
In 2000, a brand new medication became available and I started Enbrel injections. I responded very well to it, eventually being able to discontinue NSAIDs. I took it for two years. When my husband and I decided to have a second child, I stopped taking all meds. My body rebelled. For a month, I detoxed with severe flares. It was the first time I ever had to call in sick to work due to RA.
Gradually, the flares lessened, and I soon became pregnant. Since I was over age thirty, I was screened with many tests. My OB/Gyn performed an early ultrasound. It revealed too little baby and too much amniotic fluid. She suspected Trisomy 18, but didn’t really explain what that was; she just told me it meant the baby was smaller than it should be. At sixteen weeks, the triple screen test confirmed my doctor’s suspicion, and she sent us to a perinatologist. At twenty weeks, I underwent a level two ultrasound and an amniocentesis. That particular doctor was cold and insensitive. He told us straight out that our baby would die. “There is no hope,” he said and suggested termination. We declined his recommendation.
Trisomy 18 is a chromosomal defect in which three instead of two of the number 18 chromosomes are present. In our case, that meant our daughter’s diaphragm was herniated, wedged at an angle across her chest, squeezing all other organs up into one corner and preventing them from developing. Our Rachel Faith was born just after midnight the day before Thanksgiving, 2002. She lived only minutes.
At that time, long-term side effects of Enbrel were unknown. My rheumatologist denied that it could cause Trisomies, but no one really knew. I, of course, blamed Enbrel and my disease. My husband blamed himself. Ultimately, though, no one and no thing were to blame, but this happened “so that the work of God might be displayed in [our lives]” (John 9:3).
My husband and I went on to have two more children, both healthy and vibrant. I remained unmedicated for five years due to pregnancies and nursing babies, experiencing only mild flares that were few and far between. A unique perk of pregnancy is that it sends RA into remission. There’s a hormone connection here that physicians ARE all aware of, but nobody’s researching it! My GP, my rheumatologist, and my OB/Gyn all told me about this phenomenon, yet none of them could tell me why more information is not known.
After weaning my fourth child, the RA returned with a vengeance. Leery of medicinal side effects, I searched for healthy alternatives. I tried non-treatment. I tried homeopathic treatment. I tried cold laser treatment. I tried nutrition treatment. Nothing helped. I found things that made the RA flare, but nothing to make it go away. At one point, I visited “the best rheumatologist in Dallas.” I told him I wanted to be healthy, not just drugged and dismissed. His answer? Inject Enbrel weekly, and take a combination of twelve pills a day including Methotrexate, folic acid supplements to offset Methotrexate’s lethal side effects, prednisone, and NSAIDs. Wow! That makes me healthy how? It must have been the pharmaceutical companies who gave him “the best of” title.
The RA continued to worsen. I’d wake each day with more than one major joint so severely affected I could barely get out of bed. I was in tears almost daily. My feet stayed swollen, knees would give out, wrists would drop, fists couldn’t clench. I didn’t want to be medicated, but I could not live in the state I was in.
One particularly painful day, I attempted to exercise, to show the disease I was in control, to send it a message. I found out I was not in control. But neither was the disease. My joints didn’t allow me to ride my road bike that day. I fell on my bed in tears and moaned to God. He told me, “Wait.”
“Wait for what? A cure? A miracle? And what do I do while waiting for whatever it is I’m waiting for?” I asked the Lord.
His reply was, “Wait.”
God’s message to me that day was to wait on Him throughout my affliction, to trust in Him absolutely, and to allow His will to be done in my life, no matter what discomfort that may bring. I am His vessel, and through me, others may be drawn to Him, IF I allow Him control.
For the first time in a long time, I felt at peace about seeking medical treatment. God has placed wisdom and knowledge in the minds of men and women for the purpose of accomplishing His will, and I realized it was alright to accept their help. I made an appointment with my current rheumatologist, a woman who is compassionate and concerned for my overall well-being. She listens to my desires for my health and works with me. I don’t plan to have more children, so I am not concerned with a repeat of chromosomal defects. However, I do refuse to take certain medications, and I definitely refuse to take a myriad of medications that offset each other. For now, I am back on Enbrel, and for now, it is working pretty well.
I also battle dry eyes and dry mouth, symptoms of secondary Sjogren’s Syndrome. I use Restasis eye drops twice a day in addition to frequent, as-often-as-needed saline drops. For dry mouth, I use Oasis rinse, drink lots of water, and chew sugar-free gum.
Jodi’s website, where you can learn more about her pursuits.
Andrew’s Rheumatoid Arthritis story, in his own words
First Signs
In May 2004, I started having severe eye pain, redness, and blurred vision. I ended up at an ophthalmologist and within 1 minute he pronounced that both eyes had acute anterior iritis – an inflammation of the iris. After performing some tests and prescribing continuous doses of prednisone steroid drops for the next month, he asked me if I ever had joint problems. I thought that this was odd coming from a physician dedicated to treating eye problems. He stated that iritis is a common symptom in autoimmune disorders. He said that there are blood tests for this but since I had no other symptoms, I could just wait and see what happens. I quickly forgot all about it.
Next Signs
In the fall of 2006, I began to have problems with my Achilles tendons. They were swollen, inflamed, and very painful to the touch. The left tendon was worse than the right. It affected my ability to exercise. After visiting an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in ankles, he suspected that there was tendonitis and/or tearing in the tendon. Upon examination, he stated that the problem was likely congenital because I have long leg bones causing the tendon to stretch. An MRI of the tendon revealed tears in the tendon. Surgery on the left tendon was performed in January 2007. He repaired the torn section and also performed a lengthening of the tendon in order to reduce the tension. I mentioned that the right tendon was also hurting and the doctor indicated that we should just keep an eye on it while the other one healed from the surgery. I was hiking by the summer of 2007 and snow skiing that next winter. However, by that time, my right tendon was bothering me enough so I headed back to the orthopedic surgeon. A MRI revealed tearing and the same surgeries were performed on the right leg in April 2008. I recovered and was back to snow skiing by December 2008. Never the less, my legs never felt the same way as before the surgery.
Putting it all Together
In January of 2009, I began to experience pain in the middle joints of my fingers on both hands. This was accompanied by morning stiffness and a lot of fatigue. I also had chronic hives, usually in the evenings, on my arms and legs. I visited my primary care doctor and told him of my symptoms. After describing my history with the eye problems and Achilles tendon tearing, he began to suspect that I had an autoimmune disease like rheumatoid arthritis (RA). One clue he mentioned was that the symptoms presented symmetrically on both sides of the body…iritis in both eyes, Achilles tendon problems on both sides, etc. He mentioned that fatigue is also a common symptom. He referred me to a rheumatologist – a specialist in arthritis and associated diseases.
After completing a long medical history survey, multiple office visits, numerous blood tests, and hand x-rays, the rheumatologist diagnosed me with rheumatoid arthritis. My blood tests were negative for rheumatoid arthritis factor. Shortly after the diagnosis, joint pain had extended to the base of my fingers, both wrists, both elbows, and my knees. My ankles were always hurting since before the surgeries. My joints popped and cracked when moved. I was stiff most of the day and the fatigue was worsening. I was immediately started on DMARDs and quickly progressed to using biological treatments by April 2009.
Andrew’s RA blog is Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis.
<< Back to Onset Story main page. Page 2 of Onset Stories.>>
Stephanie,
Thanks for doing this. I know you will make a difference. You have to me already: I’m more determined than ever. :heart:
Have you had hair loss
yes a lot, and several times over. at this time, most has come back. but it came back curly.
Yes but only started 2 years after being on Methotrexate! They discovered I had Osteoporosis and Iron deficient anaemia at the same time though! Rheumatologist not sympathetic at all
All I can say is, wow. Glad you’re here to share your story. Hope things will get under much better control with new meds and that you never have to wait so long for proper treatment from a rheumy or a pulmo again. Here’s a support site for folks with interstitial lung diseases, of which autoimmuners can get, although I don’t know if you have only nodules, or restrictive or obstructive disease. There are many lung problems that can arise in RA as well as lupus and other diseases. Some are progressive, some aren’t so much but always best to keep watch over them.
Huff-n-Puff www. huff-n-puff.net
Stepanie, Thank you for sharing your story. It had me in tears a bit to think you had to suffer all this and permanent damage too. I know your story will help others. For me, it confirms my chemical sensitivities are related to RA. I know people had pegged me “high maintenance” for this. I had other early signs that were considered this also. Take care
I read your story with great interest Steph, I am so sorry you had to live like that and go through this hell, can I ask why it took 12 months to get into see a RA Dr?? I mean, why a year just to get an app? Thanks again for sharing
Viesta: In Canada they have socialized health care which means that everyone who is a citizen gets health care. Being that, even to have a urgent surgery you can wait weeks and weeks because there are more people than appts available at any dr office or hospital. It is nice that everyone has health care but it is hard when people like Stephanie are suffering for a year straight before they can get in to see a doctor. My friend said the same thing, she lives in Canada and when she needed an urgent surgery when she had an infection in her kidney’s, she was on a waiting list and expected to not have surgery for four to six weeks so her husband drove her from Canada to the US where she could have the surgery immediately.
Chelsea, thanks for the site info for interstatial lung disease. I will check it out. Mine is obstructive. It took forever to figure out as I “fit the box” for COPD but have never smoked a day in my life. Never even tried it. And the fact that I’m only in my 30’s didn’t help either.
Rhonda : I’m so sorry you are suffering with chemical sensitivities too. In some ways, that is harder to deal with than the RA itself because it is even less understood. I react to everything. So much so that I had to give up my job as a manager with the Canadian Federal Government to take a demotion within the same Department so that I can work from home. For me, avoiding exposure to what I react to means that I have to stay away from pretty much everything. It’s maddening and very isolating.
On my blog, I also talk about my MCS and how I have had to adapt, what has worked and what hasn’t. Check it out. I hope some of my experiences will help you get through it. And if you ever need advice from someone who has been there or just a place to vent, feel free to contact me anytime!
Viesta, I’m in Canada and some specialists have long wait lists. But I’m fine with as I’d never be able to afford my care if it weren’t for the fact that we have Health care coverage here. And the Rheumatologist I got is fantastic. He spends as much time talking to you as you need. Last time he spent over an hour with me making sure I was ok with the treatment route and going over in detail my questions. I’m so glad I waited for him. I could have gotten into another one sooner but he spends no time with his patients. My mom went to see him and she saw him once for 5 mins, and he didn’t even examine her. She is now on the list to see mine.
Stephanie,
Wow! Thank you so much for sharing your story. The things you’ve been through are awful. I’m so glad you finally have a good doctor who is giving you the treatment you need.
You are an inspiration; your strength, endurance, and never giving up. It’s very affirming for other people with various manifestations of RA. Your story and others’ experiences help us all become better informed and more assured when we describe symptoms to our docs.
Thank you!
I am so sorry you had to wait so long Steph- that was just wrong, but thank god you are happy with the doctor you got into, I am in Canada too, I see my rheumatologist here in Alberta, longest we ever had to wait was a month…. blessings to you, be well~ Viesta
Viesta, I’m in Ottawa. Unlike Alberta fantastic system, you may have heard about Ontario’s difficulties with Dr shortages, long waiting lists etc. My mom used to live in Edmonton and always raved about Alberta’s health system. She just recently moved back to Ottawa and was shocked about how different the two systems were. But ether way, at least it’s better than nothing right?
Everyone, thank you for your kind words. Some days I don’t feel very strong and I’m not so sure I’m all that inspirational but it is so kind of so many to say. I can’t have kids so I have no one to teach my life lessons to. If I’ve helped any of you in at least a small way, I’m thrilled.
Anyone know if there is a linkage between RA and infertility? Not that it would help us as DH is infertile too but at least his has a cause. Mine has been listed as unexplained. Is this another thing I can add to my list of RA complications?
Stephanie, I have also wondered about any connection between fertility or more like fertility problems and arthritis. Thank you for sharing your story, you are very brave to endure what you have endured. I also was diagnosed with Juvenille Arthritis but then they thought it was reactive arthritis, but when you are diagnosed in preschool or kindergarten it is difficult, the drs don’t know what to do. I think treatment has come a long way since we were children. I pray the children who have the symptoms we did get much better treatment and much quicker treatment than we did. Hang in there, we all are rooting for you!
I am sorry for your long waits – that is just wrong- no one where else in Canada has long wait list like that, I just dont understand on only Ontario, *shrugs*
Stephanie, Thank-You for sharing your story and being so brave, you are truly a WARRIOR! It angers me that you had to go through what you did but, you are stronger for the experience. If I had not read your story I would still be thinking that my hoarseness and constantly losing my voice was symptomatic of years of smoking despite the fact that I quit over 3years ago and this just started a year or so ago. I had asthma as an infant and thought that was why I could hardly breathe now, it had come back. Now I KNOW that I need bring up these issues with my Rheumatologist ASAP. Thank-You again for braving the icy waters for the rest of us. God’s Blessings!
Alice, did you see the three part series on cricoarytnenoid arthritis? It includes more info about Steph & how I found out about her CA!
One thing I have in common with a lot of others is that the doctor didn’t recognize I had RA. I went complaining of pain in my feet and hands. The doctor gave me aspirin. Of course, it didn’t work and I just got worse. My hands swelled up so bad I couldn’t open a door, hold a cup of coffee or even unzip my pants.
I went back and he told me that since the blood work didn’t show anything it had to be in my head. I got angry and yelled at him and he brought in another doctor who thought I looked like I might have R.A.
The first doctor argued that the blood work didn’t show that. But he agreed to send me to a Rheumatologist.
I walked into the Rheumatologist’s office and he took one look at me and told me I had RA.
He put me on Predisone, methotrexate, and salsalate. I recovered enough to continue work till this past year when the fatigue, the depression and the all too real pain has caused me to seek disability.
Charles,
Your story is one I hear frequently. I’m hoping we will see changes in our lifetimes.
I wonder whether yelling at the doc would have had the same effect if you were a woman. Just saying…
Wow
I have been suffering probably 40+ years.
However this pass September 2009 different things were happening. As everyone else has said one thing at a time, therefore unable to connect the dots. January 2010 everything got worse. I went to my doctor, with many questions? Asking why is when I come for a physical I always have to come back because I have weird problems. When the numbness and pain in my left hand would not go away he had me in to see a Rheumatologist within 2 days. I live in Northern Ontario we had to drive south for the appointment. The doctor was wonderful spent alot of time talking to me. Had me do some extra blood tests and then started the Mtx. The fingers on my left hand are still numb, seem to improve daily all my other problems have disappeared(for now). There is a strong family history of RA.
I feel sorry that so many people suffer especially the younger people. I wonder if the doctors really understand the pain that you have, or do they think you are just imaging things.
I can relate to your onset story, Stephanie. Luckily I had peristent parents also. And yes, the treatment in those days was pretty limited. Luckily I’ve had waning periods ==I think they used the word remission once–but my rheumatologist always kept an eye on me. Sorry you had such a tough time getting help. Thanks for sharing your story for others.
I think these stories are great. Those of us that have RA and have suffered through the pain and fatigue and also treatment with different drugs, it’s great know that your not alone.
I just wish doctors were more compassionate and believing when your sharing symptons and concerns with them.
I have a RA Dr. that is strictly a pill pusher. She dismisses concerns like dizziness. It couldn’t possibly be caused by medication. I’ve never had dizziness like I experience until I went on medication.
I started with Methetrexate then Plaqunequil and now I’m on Arava. I still suffer from dizziness but not as bad as on the two other drugs.
Thanks for the stories. They encourage me and also great information. It’s not all in my head. Thanks again.
Good to hear from you Frances. Its not in your head. 🙂
Every comment on any of the stories or comments on these pages should be dated…for reasons of research, and also because the treatments, research, etc. on RA changes constantly.
I don’t see anything on these pages that seems to have occurred in 2013, for example. How often is this website updated?