1. < Autoimmune Diseases

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) - Introduce yourself and meet others

Posted by Kanaaz Pereira, Connect Moderator @kanaazpereira, Mar 30, 2017

Let's talk about living with rheumatoid arthritis.
As moderator of the Autoimmune Diseases group, I noticed that several people were talking about RA, but those conversations were scattered throughout the community. I thought I would start this discussion to bring us all together in one place.

Let’s grab a cup of tea, or beverage of choice, and let's chat. Why not start by introducing yourself?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Autoimmune Diseases Support Group.

imcupper | @imcupper | 2 days ago
In reply to @annelia "Has anyone had RA attack one side of their body more than the other ? ....." + (show)
@annelia

Has anyone had RA attack one side of their body more than the other ? .. My right hand fingers have become rather deformed as have my toes compared to my left. It all started in 2018 ... my GP referred me to a rheumatologist .. I am serum negative RA, through trial and error have gone through different meds landing on Orencia infusions once a month ... now to start Prolia ... as a pre-caution. I broke my shoulder almost two years ago . But as I have said ... I would be very interested in another case that had RA attack one side of their body in the initial phases of this disease .. I also have Addison's Disease, Eagle's syndrome, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis ... well the list goes on. Once you have an auto-immune disease, more seem to pop up.

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My symptoms started last July and initially impacted my hands, feet, wrists and shoulders. I was initially on prednisone for a couple months which worked well. Once I saw a rheumatologist, he switched me to hydroxychloriquin and weened me off the prednisone. It took several months for the hydroxy to start working. My Rheumatologist added sulfasaline to relieve my residual pain. This did nothing for me except caused me to gain weight. I dropped the sulfasaline about a week ago and replaced it with Meloxicam. While it hasn’t done anything to increase mobility it has eliminated all my pain and I can do all my activities without problems

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jerkyjefr | @jerkyjefr | 1 day ago
In reply to @catartist "Be careful of Aleve and the like - only Tylenol for me due to the probiotics..." + (show)
@catartist

Be careful of Aleve and the like - only Tylenol for me due to the probiotics and other RA meds -others not healthy. I do use Voltaren on skin carefully.

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Ty again, lookin out 4 me! Very little aleve, I also found topical good, try Salon pa's, worked fast 4 me. Having nasty issues with hydroxycloraquin. This whole thing with if u hav 1 AIMUN issue others not far behind is God awfully. Hope ur day is moderate 2 good. Sincerely, Jerky.

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1 reply
catartist | @catartist | 1 day ago
In reply to @jerkyjefr "Ty again, lookin out 4 me! Very little aleve, I also found topical good, try Salon..." + (show)
@jerkyjefr

Ty again, lookin out 4 me! Very little aleve, I also found topical good, try Salon pa's, worked fast 4 me. Having nasty issues with hydroxycloraquin. This whole thing with if u hav 1 AIMUN issue others not far behind is God awfully. Hope ur day is moderate 2 good. Sincerely, Jerky.

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Thanks Jerkyjef- funny about hydroxiclorogine - I took that for years and years for decade modifying RA - not one problem. Drs took me off of 30 years or so due to length of use and heart problems possible - but never had heart problems- ??? Darn! Oren is doesn’t work as well I haven’t thought

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annelia | @annelia | 1 day ago

Yes ... be aware that Aleve was investigated a few years back for heart problems. It is sad because I found it worked well but can't take the chance and changed to tylenol (rapid release) I too use Voltaren , it helps some times .. I also use probiotics for over all health .. I think it helps . I used to have so many supplements but had to cut back because I just didn't know if they were helping or not ... some of them quite pricey.

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gofishto | @gofishto | 16 hours ago

My name is Renee I was diagnosed with RA 2019 long road lots of trials with various meds

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Mentor
Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | 15 hours ago
In reply to @gofishto "My name is Renee I was diagnosed with RA 2019 long road lots of trials with..." + (show)
@gofishto

My name is Renee I was diagnosed with RA 2019 long road lots of trials with various meds

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@gofishto Renee. Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! Is there anything this group can help with? You mentioned ‘a long road’ with trials and various meds. Has it been very difficult for you in managing this disease? What medications are you on now?

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