Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) - Introduce yourself and meet others

Thanks for sharing. Am not familiar with these medications so will be researching. Good luck with this regimen.

Hi I'm Terri new to the group ...I have RA and just got the temperal artery surgery on 2/7/23

Hi RA Group:
Bill here. I am 59 and have been living with RA since I was 16. I have been on many if not all of the biologics until getting the most relief from Rinvoq, which I have been on for 2 and half years. I also have, Sjogrens, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, scleroderma, and peripheral neuropathy for which I take several different medications (Lyrica, Evoxac, prolia injections, Arava, and prednisone). Serval of these conditions are directly related to my RA or long term use of medications. I would be happy to share my experiences regarding side effects. RA has been challenging over the years. Have a total right knee replacement and a screw to address a fracture on my right foot 5th metatarsal.

In addition, I have been challenged over the last few years with failed back surgery in 2020 and 2021 for which I journeyed to Rochester last July to have it revised. There are some implications of Osteoarthritis being responsible for some of the stenosis and herniation, so I only bring it up here in this RA forum for context.

As mentioned, I am happy to discuss any of my RA related experiences here.

Teri; I hope your temporal artery surgery went well!

Best of luck with this. Hoping you will be able to give us an update with your results.

I had the surgery on the 7th was told by surgeon they always come back negative...due to being on steroids prior to the surgery... so I wasn't shocked that mine was negative..just not sure now what Rheumatologist will do or change meds very confusing to do a surgery that most always is negative

Hi. Kerry here. Just came back today from first visit with what i have to say was the best rheumatologist or even doctor for that matter, that I've ever seen. I suddenly started swelling on top of my hands and fingers. Couldn't make a fist. Couldn't cross my legs. When he walked into the office he immediately commented on my hands which I would have thought that someone who didn't know me wouldn't know if they were normally like that. It was more like the skin was shiny from stretching. He's the first doctor who did a real intake on me!! Kept me in line (lol I like to talk a lot during exams) and actually made me realize that I'm in pain all day. I wake up stiff. I climb out of the shower stiff. Up and down stairs. I'm actually stiff all day! I brought some past test results done by a neuro a few years ago that showed high propensity for autoimmune disorders. He sent me to a rheumatologist who actually walked out on me because I had too many issues, and they wouldn't give me another doctor. This doctor takes on the "complicated" cases as he said. And in that moment I fell in love. Lol. You have to be a dedicated doctor to be like that. I was like that when I was an office manager in another life....the more difficult they were the more I liked them. So he took about an hour+ with me and took about 12 tubes of blood (some being sent to CA!) and said he thought I did have lupus and Raynaud's disease, and as he was beginning to walk out said also probably rheumatoid arthritis because of bumps forming on my fingers. These were all things I have researched and talked to my primaries about but received no help with. I actually felt vindicated that I was on the right track by myself. And now I have someone who can help me, even tho there is no cure, just knowing I'm not crazy made my day a wonderful day !! I started a packet of methyl prednisolone (sp?) Already feeling better although I took 5 pills instead of 4 because I was confused because it's for 5 days, each 5 days lowers a pill. I called pharmacy to make sure I wasn't going to have a heart attack lol!
Oh. Forgot my current and past history: breast cancer, thyroid cancer. Stroke. Burst bowel when I was also diagnosed with CLL leukemia! Not a stranger to danger.

Lobito thank you for sharing your story to one who is just starting the long road. 😁
Together we are better and that's really the truth!
Kerry

I have other autoimmune rhemetological issues, but my rheme is "on the fence" on if I have RA too.
Holding off now taking any other drugs. The other disease I have is a "sister disease" to RA.
Anyone in this situation?

Good morning. My name is Julie, I am 64 years old and was diagnosed with RA in June 2022. I am a newbie and am still in a learning curve. I find that reading others experiences with RA helps me understand more about this disease. I have been on Methotrexate since July and started infusions of Rituximab. Two in January and will have 2 more in August. We are still trying to find the right regimen for me…hoping it’s sooner than later. I am looking forward to being a part of this group. Thanks for having me.

Hi Bill. I now have neuropathy in both hands-numbness and tingling. My DR recommended I see a neurologist for that and my brain fog. I am on MTX and Rituximab. Have you found that yours is from the medications?