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I've been a visitor of this site for quite some time now and finally decided to join.  I'm 31 years old, and have had JRA since I was 9.    I guess the thing that brought me back was the fact that I'm in a mega flare right now (the worst in 15 years I think).   I had my right hip replaced in Sept. of 2005 at the age of 29 and then the left one in Jan 2006.  If there is anyone hanging about here that is on the fence about this surgery I say go for it.  It is much better than the pain from RA.

Hi Bob, Hi everyone.  I am coming over to the big house, so what?  I was diagnosed with RA a few years ago, about four to five years in my rough estimate.  This thing has been progressing lately. I am in my 50s, work full time, am going back to school part time, and am not happy at all about my joints killing me.  My doc has increased my prednisone, so I am taking 4 mg a day right now, and throw voltaren, folic acid and methotrexate once a week into the mix.  I hate thinking about joint replacement, view it as a last resort, and hope that I will not have to go through it.  (Keep my fingers crossed.)  That said, does the joint replacement help to alleviate the pain?  Or slow the disease progression in those joints?  I think there is a post related to the ankle replacement, this might be an option for me in some future, although I've never heard of it before I've discovered this board.  Anyway, it's nice to meet all of you, hope we will have some nice communication here on this board, as opposed to the AOL message boards.  You have a nice day.  Later.  AnyaHi Bob and Anya, welcome to the forum.  Go on over to the main RA thread and introduce yourself.  Lindy
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