Good Morning, Happy Labor day to those of you here in the states. I am newly diagnosed and after reading many of your post feel blessed that ra has been moving somewhat slower than most. I have a rd app. in the morning, and I am not sure what to tell her. I never know from one day to the next how I feel. Friday I woke up and my entire right arm hurt like _ _ _ _ Good Afternoon, I am new to this site to and have read alot of things. I was told a few weeks ago that I have RA to but I am not to sure myself of it all. I woke up one morning and my knees, hands, feet were so bad and painful. I really have been battling this for many years one doctor told me no and the other one I went to says yes. I am so confused to what to think. They took 8 tubes of blood and my Cyclic Citrullinated peptide Ab Igg was 47 and that results was Moderate Positive
Methotrexate seems a scary drug when you read it's side-effect profile, but they've been using it for over 50 years now and the serious side-effects are rare (and detected ewarly, through regular blood tests). A lot of people have mild nausea and tiredness for 24 hours after taking it, but that often wears off after a few weeks.
Methotrexate is a very good drug and can put the diseases into a 'drug induced' remission, which means you not only feel better, but more importantly you prevent joint damage from occurring. I've been in a severe flare for 18 months and methotrexate is helping me a lot since I started taking it 5 months ago.
All the best,
Thanks Wendy, Do you think I should go for another opintion or not?
I've had RA for 12 years. Although my symptoms were bad at first...my blood work for the RA Factor (What ever they call it) was negative. I'll have to admit that made me doubt the DX all along. Even now I'll still ask my doctor (Which is my third RD) "Are you sure?" The answers always the same....and over the years I have progressed and gotten worse. My x-rays show it....and my SEDS Rate is elevated on occations; but I never stop hoping they'll say "Ya, know I think we've been wrong all along." I know now after all these years that I'm likely to never hear that saying.
AngelsMom~Tell your doctor all the symptoms you've been having. The journal idea is a good one. Doctors that deal with RA realize it's kind of off and on.....or should I say up and down. But what Linda says is so right; Once damage occurs it can not be reversed. Even a low dose DMARD....one of the weaker ones like Sulfersalizine will help to slow the progression; and that's the main goal even after numerous years.
I started out on Sulfersalizine at first. I did real well on that for many years....then moved up to something else....and something else.....a little more here and a little more there. Today I take 25mg of MTX and HUmira weekly. That's a pretty strong combination; but it's taken me all these years to get to that. So often in the early stages you can have "mild/moderate RA" for a long time on proper medication. It's my belief that the proper treatment has held the disease at bay fairly well.
Good Luck to our newest newbies. We're glad you're here at AI; Welcome!
Hi Angel57
As Lovie said, if getting a 2nd opinion will ease you and your husband's mind, then go for it. Personally, I don't think you need it though. Let us know how you go
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