Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) - Introduce yourself and meet others

I do feel for you because I have seen the suffering this disease can cause and your very real fear as to what’s in store for you is an impossible question to answer because we all react differently over time.
I too have nodules on my fingers etc but don’t take any medication for various reasons plus my problem appears to be individual soi do not know who to speak to.
I hope a miracle occurs for you so just keep hoping
@jk1

What medications are you taking?

Ask your doctor to try Lunesta 2 mg at bedtime for fatigue. It has helped me!

I used Methotrexate for about a month, several years ago. I was not able to take any of the new biological wonder drugs that are constantly advertised on tv as I have had several cancers. The methotrexate did nothing for my RA, however it damaged my lungs. I now have mild COPD.
Please be careful with this drug, it has many bad side effects.
The RA has ruined my hands/fingers, and is now affecting my toes. Many of my finger joints are fused and can not bend. When this first started, the pain was similar to having knives stuck in my fingers, but that has subsided to a mild pain. I have 3 fingers that are flexible and almost normal. My hands looks terrible, all bent & in winter are purple.

I have RA and had started methotrexate for a month and just as I was about to start the 2nd bottle the coronavirus came along. I am not terribly affected by the RA right now and when a vaccine is available I'll consult with my rheumatologist about when to restart methotrexate after I get vaccinated. I'll feel a bit less paranoid about having a suppressed immune system then.

I didn't know about the effects of methotrexate on the lungs. I don't like ANY of the RA drugs and if I weren't concerned about my level of inflammation I wouldn't go near them again. I have had surgeries on both feet and two on my right hand. I can live with the RA as it is, somewhat painful but tolerable.

ellens, the usual efffect on the body is high liver enzymes. This is an old chemtherapy drug from the 1940's. iwas on it for a few weaks and my liver enzymes (all 3 ) were highly out of spec. i would be interested in the surgeries on both feet and right hand. my feet are always sore on the bottom (feels like gravel when i walk on them. something you may want to consider is CBD oil. it has no THC so you will not get high. it is taken under the tongue and held there for 60 seconds , and then spit out. i usually then swish around in the mouth for 2 times and then do a honey swish to eliminate any taste of CBD. there are days when i will take 10 drops under the tongue and it does help a little ease RA pain. i have been battling RA for 31 years. My side effects from RA meds were bad rashes, stomach pain, torn retinas in both eyes, failed kidneys. Kidneys have been back to normal and after 2 retina operations, 2 cataract operations, my eyes are almost back to normal......kozlo52... god bless and good luck!

I also use CBD tincture under the tongue. I don’t spit it out. I swallow it and within minutes I feel less pain. ( tastes like grassy dirt) I found a better option for me is the 3000 mg. Gummies. It’s like a little snack with pain relief. I smoke with a bubbler to make “ less” harsh on my lungs the CBD industrial grown hemp at any reputable CBD store. I live downstate Ny and we have a CBD clinic in the area. The CBD really helps. My doc recommended smoking marijuana but that’s not me... I don’t want to be high I want relief. My doc also tried to put me on that methodextrate and prednisone, told me I will never get better the RA will eventually kill me as my organs succumb. The chemicals in both those drugs are killers themselves... so I decided I’m staying on the CBD route and let my RA destroy my body little by little. Doc says I have about 10 years if I’m lucky ( just to live) in that time I will lose my motor skills, etc. try the CBD load up on it. Take the highest dosage which is 300 mg. It really does help. Capsules are even stronger.

Hello: My Grandmother, mother, sister and myself have arthritis RA and i have been waiting for a group to join. All are dead but myself so I would like to learn more from others on this group. Thank you

Hello William @masteratt, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, an online community that connects people. I think a lot of us probably would rather use a phone to talk with someone. If you find another member who shares your common health concerns and they also want to talk to you on the phone, you can share your personal contact information using Connect's Private Message function - How to Send a Private Message: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/get-started-on-connect/#send-private-message.

You mentioned that you came to Connect to learn more about TEC. I'm assuming you are referring to Transient erythroblastopenia of childhood (TEC). The Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center has some information on the topic which also has and audio feature -- you just click the Listen button at the start of each topic and it will read the information to you.

Transient erythroblastopenia of childhood: https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/7793/transient-erythroblastopenia-of-childhood

Are you able to share a little more about your diagnosis?