Ok, I am a little freaked out.
My only symptom right now is in the morning my hands are swollen and tight. I also have alopecia. I do have general aches and pains - mostly in my hands and legs. Nothing too bad though.
Hi :) I understand what you're going through, I guess we all do here. But the GOOD news is that NO! RA no longer means a life of deformity and walkers or wheelchairs. The meds they have now can prevent that, that's why doctors like to start them early before and disease progression takes place. Their are many of us here who are living pretty full lives, our disease pretty well controlled by meds. If you have to get RA, this is a good time to get it, especially when it's caught early.