Hi,
My wife (28yrs old) has had swollen ankles on both legs (edema) and pain in legs and wrist for past 1 month. Blood tests revealed elevated rheumatoid factor. We just married an year back and are both depressed at this news.
Does she have rheumatoid arthritis? Also, can RA go away after taking medicines? How can we find out if it is type 1 or type 2 RA?
Please advise!!!
It sounds like she does have RA. There quite a few meds out there that give people relief. Some of them sound quite menacing at first because they are also used in chemo therapy, but in dramatically lower doses and most people have minimal side effects from them. The side effects are usually not enough to make people stop taking them when they do occur. Some people enjoy remission from the RA while others continue to progress with the disease. The most important thing for someone with RA is a good Rheumatologist and a good support system at home. Go to the Arthritis Foundation website or RA.com for more info on the disease, medications, and other resources. And of course this website is excellent for support as well. It is scarey to face alone, it is good that you are there to help her through this. There are so many ways to work around the RA, it just takes time to learn what the limitations are. They are different for each of us. I am still learning. Good luck to you both and welcome to the AI boards.
Your first step is to get her to a Rheumatologist. Don't panic yet. Some forms can be treated with antibiotics as they are infectious arthritis. Then, some people have only one incident, are treated and never have any more problems.
The more unfortunate have multiple flares that are painful and damaging. But Rheumatoid Arthritis, although still a serious disease, is not the disease of our grandparents. There are many, many medications out there to treat and suppress the disease.
Get her to the Rheumatologist. They are the ones trained to evaluate and treat the disease. The primary care doctors usually don't have sufficient training as Rheumy's have at least 4-6 more years of schooling.
It would be a wonderful thing if you could go with her. If she does have it, she will need your support and understanding it together will make it easier on both of you.
There are actually 100 different types of arthritis. RA has four levels of involvement. From what you describe, if she has it, she is at the beginning of it. You want to be aggressive with it as early as possible since this gives the best results with the least amount of damage.
Stay in touch here. There are a lot of compassionate and knowledgeable people who are more than happy to share their experiences.
Where are you getting Type 1/type 2 from? I havent heard that before and I tried to find it online and couldnt find any mention of it.
Found this information...
The overall approach for managing rheumatoid arthritis depends on whether your condition is mild (type 1), or complex and expected to last more than two years (type 2). If your condition is mild, less aggressive treatment will minimize negative side effects. However, if your condition appears progressive, the most potent medications and treatments may be applied immediately to slow the disease and prevent joint damage.
http://www.realage.com/Health_Guides/RArthritis/Lm.aspx?topi c=15
Type 1 usually is something of small joints, low pain and inflammation. Type two is usually something far worse, more painful and full of inflammation.
yes, once the right meds are combined, she should find a great selection to help keep pain either gone or to a low roar.
I am 33yr old and bed ridden completely without meds. With my medication, I can work, clean house, go shopping, out to eat, visiting family, attend kid's concerts etc. When my husband and I got this news this past year it was kind of a relief for us since i was bed ridden for 6 months waiting for my rhumetologis appointment.
Don't panic when you see side effects, bad effects on medications for RA are very very small %. Very rare, so make sure she goes in with a positive outlook on the medications.
Plus, it can take time to take effect. So be patient, get some braces for wrist etc. if needed, make sure she is comfy during the painful times etc.
I wish you well, god bless.
Welcome gaur! I was 22 when I was dx with RA. The 1st flare was the worst and the shock that goes along with the dx is overwehlming. If it does turn out to be RA, it can be managed, even possibly go away or into remmision. If you look back through the post here you'll find alot of information and suggestion. In the beginning I felt why me, but my attitude has changed to it could be worse, RA isn't a death sentence as some diseases are. Best wished to you both.
Hi,Shan-thanks for the info, I couldnt find it anywhere!
Gaur-If she is getting relief from 400mg of ibuprofen, things may be looking pretty good. That doesnt mean that they cant get worse later, I dont want to mislead you, but for alot of people the max dose of 800mg may as well be a sugar pill. Good luck to yall.
What both of you will need is a GREAT support system. Many cities have a chapter of the ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION around. They have wonderful resources and support groups for both the RA patient and their families.
GET ALL THE INFO YOU CAN...ASK ALL THE QUESTIONS YOU CAN...DO NOT TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER OR LET ANYONE SHRUG HER OFF AS IT BEING ALL IN HER HEAD! AND... if you are not satisfied with a DOCTOR...Get a second oppinion and maybe even a THIRD till you and your wife are at peace with the Rheumatologist and the meds. Don't always listen to the fly by night SURE CURES. RA can be a mean disease if not cared for regularly and in an agressive manner. Damage can happen even when you don't see it outside physically.
Next thing to do is not to panic, I know easier said then done. My husband knew of RA only because it runs in my family. To find out is hard I know...but with the advances in the medicines now...that once she sees a Rheumatologist and things are final...the medicines out there do work. There is no cure...but new advances in the research know what genes cause it...now it is just how to find a cure for it.
Not every RA Patient are the same. What may work to get some one to remission on onw hand...may not work for someone else...so that will be a journey...but once the right cocktail of meds is found...things do get better. And there will be good days and bad days...IT IS OKAY...they pass and you move on and you grow to appreciate them both as a gift.
The other thing is...know that somethings will not be the same. YET...be supportive and loving as well as Understanding. My husband finally got it after about my 5th year of having RA...it is okay that I am not the same. NOW we have been through the changes and are still going through them...but he knows now it is a us disease...not just a my disease.
So...i have talked enough. I pray all will be well for you and your wife. Dont' be a stranger...tell her we are here and for you also if you ever need to VENT, CRY or need a GOOD LAUGH!
Roblyn
Copyright ArthritisInsight.com