Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) - Introduce yourself and meet others

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.

Profile picture for tisme @tisme

Im starting to have issues with plaquenil ( hydroxychloroquine I think it is responsible for the eyesight issues I am having , waiting to see the specialist .

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@tisme how long have you been taking plaquenil? I have heard eye problems could start at or after 3 years. That’s my hope anyway!

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Id say it would be that long, I stopped taking it myself ( cant see the rheumy till december) cant take leuflonamide because of the liver. so I am not on anything and in the short month or so I have been off it Ive noticed a difference. but my eyesight sheesh , just had new glasses ( multifocals) and they are not what they were when I had the eye test ( or should I say my eyesight isnt).

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Profile picture for tisme @tisme

Id say it would be that long, I stopped taking it myself ( cant see the rheumy till december) cant take leuflonamide because of the liver. so I am not on anything and in the short month or so I have been off it Ive noticed a difference. but my eyesight sheesh , just had new glasses ( multifocals) and they are not what they were when I had the eye test ( or should I say my eyesight isnt).

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@tisme hope your doctor has another option

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Profile picture for tisme @tisme

Id say it would be that long, I stopped taking it myself ( cant see the rheumy till december) cant take leuflonamide because of the liver. so I am not on anything and in the short month or so I have been off it Ive noticed a difference. but my eyesight sheesh , just had new glasses ( multifocals) and they are not what they were when I had the eye test ( or should I say my eyesight isnt).

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@tisme I never came across "leuflonamides". Do you mean sulfonamides?

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Hi Iam an Australian
I am 73. Have been diagnosed with UC at age of 11 years. Was treated and then went into remission. At the age of 40 had a reactivation of U C and the developed auto immune hypoglycaemia - now know how to manage condition
Continued with a new condition called autoimmune arthritis which is a result of my u c
Have started on lefludimide which is not pleasant but hopefully will improve in time. I have been on med for 4 weeks. Diarrhoea for one week generally not feeling too good. The arthritis may be marginally improved but apparently it takes time to kick in. I live in hope . Anyone else had similar experience?

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Profile picture for swalex @swalex

@tisme I never came across "leuflonamides". Do you mean sulfonamides?

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@swalex leflunomide Im in Australia .

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Profile picture for tisme @tisme

Im starting to have issues with plaquenil ( hydroxychloroquine I think it is responsible for the eyesight issues I am having , waiting to see the specialist .

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@tisme Have you been having 6 month visual field exams at the optometrist/opthamoligist's office while on Plaquenil?

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Profile picture for ln2e @ln2e

@ssk999 I did not know that about the Simponi. I am on it. I didn't have any trouble getting it. I didn't bother checking to see if my regular Medicare paid or if my drug plan paid. Interesting.

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@ln2e Simponi can be given two ways.For people on Medicare, the infusion Simponi Aria, is the way to take it since infusions are covered under Medicare Part B and not the part D Drug plan.
For those on regular insurances, Simponi given as a subcutaneous injection is more likely to be covered.

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Profile picture for missy245  Per @missy245

@ln2e Simponi can be given two ways.For people on Medicare, the infusion Simponi Aria, is the way to take it since infusions are covered under Medicare Part B and not the part D Drug plan.
For those on regular insurances, Simponi given as a subcutaneous injection is more likely to be covered.

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@missy245 its 12 monthly here.

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New to the group. Initial diagnosis from PCP was PMR. Everything I read and felt told me PMR. Met with a Rheumatologist and continued with more blood work. Inflammation was of course very high but I showed one of the three markers for RA. Prior to that test I was convinced I was going to use Kevzara to wean off my 20 MG prednisone. No go once my Doctor found out I’ve had diverticulitis. Bowels can explode. So I start Adalimumab AACF - Idacio injections Wednesday. Down to 10 MG of prednisone and feel fine except morning stiffness. Plus I’m 5 weeks into a total knee replacement so there’s that. If I find locust or a plague I will have hit a trifecta!

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