Will I get another disease? | Arthritis Information

 

I am a 28 year old man and was diagnosed with RA about two days ago. Doc put me on 20 mg of prednisone today and today I feel the best I felt since the symptoms started a month ago. I see my RA specialist tomorrow and start MTX pretty soon. I will ask him alot of questions but I am scared of a couple things......

1.) am I going to get other diseases as well no matter what I do? I see people on here with chrons, AS, PSA and other ailments I am wondering is that a result of the RA? Can I prevent it from occuring or am I basically going to get it and its just a matter of time?

 

FYI: I feel pretty good right now... I am going to crush this disease and put it into remission. Luckily I caught it only 6 weeks into the disease so my chances are pretty good that I will KO it!!!!

the prednisone has not side effect on me at all. I feel good, not irratable or anything!!

 

 

zeekman39155.8234953704The prednisone is what is making you feel good right now. Euphoria is one
of its side effects. When you start to wean down off it, you may go back to
feeling as you did prior to its use. Hopefully the mtx will kick in and things
will be better. This disease is not curable, but you may put it into remission
for a time. You may never get any of these other diseases. I try not to worry
about that but it has crossed my mind. all we can do is just take the best
care of our disease as we can and take it a day at a time. Goodl luck with
the pred and mtx. Keep us posted. We're here for ya

thanks for the reply....

how long have you had RA?

I read your post today and was excited to see you have not got sick for two years! Amazing! Have you asked yourself the question: Could I be in remission? 

I am just wondering the chances of getting other diseases. Like a percentage or something so I know what I have to look forward too.

I know it is incurable but at least it is not a death sentence. We can live with this, sometimes without any problems. I am eating so well the last few days since my Diagnosis. No garbage foods, sodas etc.

I am not actually feeling europhic just enjoying time with no pain an significantly decreased swelling. 

zeekman39155.8326967593

Iome people have multipe diseases and some don't.  It is the same with any type of disease.

Catching it early certainly gives you a better chance of not having damage.  I had 3 years of remission, but for the past 1.5 years it has been up and down for me.

20mg. Of Pred. is pretty high.  However, you will need it for awhile until the MTX kicks in.  That could take 4-6 weeks.  As soon as you can, get off the pred.  I had been stuck at 3 mg. of pred. for 9 months!  I came off 10 mg. of pred. very easily until I got down to 1-2 mg. and then I felt WORSE than I did before hand.  Right now I have been at 2.5 mg and this is the first day I have felt fine.  So, hopefully that will hold.

Keep exercising, keep up a great attitude and read up on the disease.  Best advice I have received is that this is a highly individualized disease.  What happens to one person can be totally different than what happens to another.  Level and type of pain can differ, etc.

One more thing, pred. works fast and I was told it seems like a miracle drug because you will have no pain.  That is the euphoria.  The side effects happen over time.  At 3mg. a day, I can not lose weight and my tummy is getting fat.  All side effects of pred.  Coming off the pred. can be very, very hard. 

Zeekman, Welcome! I'm so sorry that you have RA, but you have come to a good place.

Your question was a good one,. I hadn't thought about it before, but I have not had a cold, either, for about 3 years! 

I was diagnosed in Feb. of 2006, but they said I had had RA for at least 5 years, possibly up to 10 years. I remember that I asked the Rheumy if I would probably get colds, etc. easier than normal. She said, yes probably so. So I really don't understand why I haven't.

I'm not  complaining, mind you. The last thing I need on top of everything else, is a cold. I used to get them a lot. And chest infections, sinus infections, etc. But lately, nothing.

As far as the other diseases, no one can really tell if you'll get something else or not. I do know that RA can make you more suseptible to other autoimmune diseases, and vice versa. But that doesn't mean you absolutely will get something else.

My advice, for what it's worth, would be to begin by fighting the RA as best you can. If you have a good Rheumy, with whom you are comfortable, that's a great start. Discuss your treatment options and ask any questions that you have about the disease.

Also, I would read as much as you can about RA, but make sure you look on the web sites that have a good reputation. If you get some of the far-out ones they can really get you confused. And know we are here for you.

Feel free to sign on any time you want to talk to someone. If you have questions about the day-to-day problems, or need some hints about how to handle certain tasks that become more difficult, there is always someone here to chat with.

Someone who knows more about it than I will be around soon, I'm sure.

Try not to worry just yet. I know it's a shock to get a diagnosis of a chronic disease that will impact you life. Just try to meet every day as best you can, and listen to your doctor. If you don't understand something, have the doc clarify it for you. Then you can sign on here and will probably have several people who have been through it and are always ready to give you our support.

Good Luck, and let us know how your appointment goes. We really do care.

Gentle hugs,

Nini

 

thanks for the reply....

thank god I went to the doctor as soon as I had stiffness and discomfort. I hope this will help in the long run. I don't really have extreme pains that warrant pain meds, just stiffness in the morning.

I am wondering out of every ten people with RA how many contract other ailments?

Thanks nini!!! you are so kind!!!! much love!!!

 

-zeek

Hi Zeekman!

Love your nick ! I am trying to find out on this site if perhaps some of
the symptoms I've been experiencing are RA. I have another autoimmune
disorder called vitiligo (you lose all the pigment in your skin, hair, etc.) and
am hoping there is no connection. like others have said, I've heard you are a
bit more susceptible to other autoimmune disorders, but it's not a given.
Everyone's body is different and their environments are different as well.

Hope this has helped a bit - you go on the treaments!

Christina

thanks...

I have to say this is the best support group I have had ever for anything in my whole life. I never even met any of you yet you share your caring and knowledge with a total stranger.

You are all amazing!!!!

I go to see my RA tomorrow, would you like me to ask him any questions?

Hi  Zeek,

Obviously none of us can answer if you'll get another disease, but one oppurtunity that getting a disease like RA provides is that hopefully you'll  learn to be more in tune with your body and if, heaven forbid, you do eventually contract another malady, you'll have established good skills on how to cope with a serious medical problem.  I'm 24 and have battled everything from cancer to Crohn's, and although it's a little overwhelming  at times, I feel like there's nothing I can't handle anymore.  I know it sounds a little sappy, but you'll come out of this a stronger individual.  You have a great attitude (teach that RA who's boss!) and I find it hard to believe that you'll let IT get the better of YOU if things don't turn out exactly as you planned.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Hello Zeek,

When I was diagnosed with Hashomotis Thyroiditis in 1986, the endocrinologist told me that with auto immune disorders you always develop another. He said they are all inter-related.

 I was diagnosed with RA a couple of years ago, but they think I have had it since 98. So, 12 years is a pretty good stretch between diseases.

 I think that aot of people with RA suffer from Fibromyalgia,its just the nature of the disease. I don't think anyone can give you exact percentages on developing another ailment, but hopefully since you have caught this early. Your prognosis will be good.

 

Ginni is right it can happen i have several immune disorders too.  It is just part of the wonderful package.  Welcome to the board.  meme
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