If they knew what caused RA, we all wouldnt be taking all these new wild medications that only slow it down, etc... we would be getting a medication that would stop it forever. Reseachers have found out more about the nature of auto-immune diseases, however. As you guys know, many people dont realize RA is an auto immune disease. (we hear the usual replies from people... but you are so young, blah blah... they just dont know though... not their fault, but anyway!) THere is an article on AF website on this new development:
or just go to the main page and see the list of "In the News"... link there:
http://www.arthritisfoundation.org/
Its interesting stuff. The big conference for arthritis is next week and my Rheumy goes every year. New meds like Abatacept are really exciting and I am lined up to try it once it comes available.
Try not to worry and stress about the cause and things we just cant control. Concentrate on things that make you feel better. I have had severe RA for almost a decade and probably had JRA growing up. Do things that make you smile and laugh... laughter is really the best medicine for anything! At least it distracts one for a while! And... giving to causes or getting involved in causes/charities you believe in is a great thing to do too. It reminds us there are worse folks out there... in other countries living in poverty... and no medications for what ails them. Just doing that sometimes makes us realize that we are pretty lucky despite all we have to go through.