Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) - Introduce yourself and meet others

Hi I have RA and have for a lot of years. No one really understands the pain or even think you have it until the deformation starts. That’s why I am so glad this group
Has been started. Is anyone on long term disability?

Thank you Becky! I was dianosed with R/A in my late 50s. Wrist & hands. All the drugs I've tried have not helped. Currently on Methotrexate 2.5 4 pills a week. It seems to be tearing up my stomach, not much relief in my joints.

Looks for other treatments and help that others have experienced.

I have RA. My blood says I do not. But I take methetrixate, plaquenil, folic acid. The swelling of hands went away and no pain. A little stiffness in hands remains and lumps on top of hands persists. I use tens and heat and .massage on hands. The lumps on ha is has gone way down but right hand lumps still there but left bumps almost gone. I have my blood tested every 4-5 weeks and all normal. I use elyptical every other day for 40 minutes. Drink blue berries, celery and a shot of olive oil Dailey. Walk walk walk. So far I am better than I was 2 years ago when hands started swelling. No I am interested in flushing my vessels. Looking into Glycogen. Don't know if it is for real. It is all over the internet. Investigating Dr. BARBARA O'NEILL. Does mayo know about flushing our vessels? Does mayo know about Glycogen flushing vessels? It is all natural supplement. Is it a hoax?

@kstar077 I tried looking up “flushing vessels”. And Dr. Barbara O’Neill and it a scam as you can see from the item below.
What is Barbara O Neill best known for?
“Cancer Treatment: O'Neill falsely claimed to be able to cure cancer and urged clients not to use chemotherapy. She promoted the discredited notion that cancer is a fungus treatable with baking soda, asserting, without evidence, that one doctor had cured 90% of his patients' cancer with baking soda injections.”
“On September 24, 2019, the HCCC indefinitely banned O'Neill from providing health services or education in any capacity, regardless of whether or not she accepted payment for doing so. This precludes her from giving lectures, public speaking or seeing clients.[1]”
She was also promoting ‘flushing vessels.’
I think you are best sticking with scientifically-based medicine. Are you looking at integrative medicine? Much of it is very good, but a lot is bad. Always check your sources!

@sbcher How absolutely awful to have stomach misery all the time! Do you take the methotrexate with food? This Webmd site explains very clearly what you need to know when taking methotrexate. Pay special attention to the sections on side effects and precautions!
https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-3441/methotrexate-anti-rheumatic-oral/details
As for the nausea, it will usually go away after your body adjusts to the medicine. If not, tell your doctor. They may have a remedy. And for the positive effect of metho, it can take several weeks also.
I know you can do this!!! Is there anything (besides the stomach probs) that would make you stop taking methotrexate?

Thank you. I've been taking it for four months. Told the doctor on my visits but he said I need to continue taking it? I don't think so. If I had relief from R/A I would but, its not working. Definitely eat before I take it. Seems the side effects continue. Will try other options.

I have RA. My blood says I do not. But I take methetrixate, plaquenil, folic acid. The swelling of hands went away and no pain. A little stiffness in hands remains and lumps on top of hands persists. I use tens and heat and .massage on hands. The lumps on ha is has gone way down but right hand lumps still there but left bumps almost gone. I have my blood tested every 4-5 weeks and all normal. I use elyptical every other day for 40 minutes. Drink blue berries, celery and a shot of olive oil Dailey. Walk walk walk. So far I am better than I was 2 years ago when hands started swelling. No I am interested in flushing my vessels. Looking into Glycogen. Don't know if it is for real. It is all over the internet. Investigating Dr. BARBARA O'NEILL. Does mayo know about flushing our vessels? Does mayo know about Glycogen flushing vessels? It is all natural supplement. Is it a hoax?

My advice is do more of what you are doing and beware of Online miracle workers!!

My advice is do more of what you are doing and beware of Online miracle workers!!

When you get to six month mark tell him you need plan B. In the meantime, try to take it with dry toast and eat kind of slowly. Avoid dairy and carbonated beverages except Small amounts of ginger ale that has real ginger oil in it. Try making peppermint tea - that made the biggest difference to me. Not peppermint candy. Thats just flavoring

It took me about 2-3 months to adjust. Seemed like a long time then.

Try this peppermint tea sweetened with this manuka honey. I take two teaspoons of the honey every day and sweeten my tea with it. It’s very settling to my belly. Any decent honey will do, but you really need the real thing for peppermint tea. O think amazon has both.

You got this!