Hi all,
Wanted to know before you were dx did you find yourself being sick a lot. I am on my 3rd severe cold this year and also had the flu. I really have not been sick for over 15 years like that. Just never get a cold and never the flu. My son is 19 and as many time as he was sick over his school years I never got sick. My husband did. I wonder if it has anything to do with my immune system being down. Now I am still waiting to go to my RD on June 21st. Did my blood work and x-rays this weekend. Just wondering what you have been through?
Cristal
Hi Cristal,I was extremely healthy. Not overweight, exercised regularly, jogger for 20 years, ate healthy, and didn't take any meds except for thyroid meds. Seldom had a cold and if I did it was mild. Never even caught the flu until a couple of years before I was diagnosed. I came down with the flu, pneumonia and it took me three months to recover. Six months later I started to have vague bilateral joint aches. Went to Stanford arthritis clinic and was told that I didn't have arthritis according to all the lab work and my symptoms were very mild. Aches would come and go, then finger became sore and I ignored it. Inbetween these times I had several URIs and pneumonia again.
I finally was diagnosed when I had a severe onset of RA about 5 years after my first vague symptoms and being told by Stanford that I didn't have RA.
Once the severe onset hit I was plagued with colds, pneumonia, strep throat, sinusitis, and allergies. I really believe that they go hand in hand. According to science we develop RA due to an overactive immune system. If that's the case why are we so sick with all of the other illnesses?
Waiting is the worst part of this whole process. Lindy
You know, it's funny, I've been diagnosed since almost 1 1/2 years ago. I've been on my meds as long, well, I've been on the combo I'm on now for a little more than a year and I haven't been sick once. Knocking on wood now! I used to get strep throat every single December, not once this year though. My husband and kids got sick and I was the "healthy" one - haha. I don't know why, i think it's because I was so afraid of getting sick and having to stop my meds if I did that I was extra vigilant about handwashing, not touching escalator handles, elevator buttons, public door handles or staircase railings, etc.I dont really have the answer but I can tell you In my case that I get a cold/cough about every other month and bronchitis at least a few times a year.. I just have been very sickly since the birth of my last child... As a matter of fact my Rheumy told me that he felt that is what brought mine on... so that just my story....I sometimes think I have the flu, more than pre ra but I also have fibro so I am never sure. I worry because of all my animals that I am not taking enough precautions but I am a worrier. That is my challenge these days. One day at a time. Live in the moment.
Binge - Love your signature.
BEFORE I WAS DIAGNOSED I HAD TWO REALLY BAD WINTERS WHERE I GOT PNUEMONIA,STREP,SINUS INF. AND MANY COLDS. I HAVE BEEN ON THE MEDS NOW FOR A COUPLE MONTHS AND HAVENT CAUGHT EVEN A COLD. USUALLY I GET EVERYTHING THAT GOES AROUND. i HOPE IT STAYS THAT WAY BECASUE I AM ABOUT TO START EBREL AS SOON AS MY INSURANCE OKS IT. i FUGURE, MY IMMUNE SYSTEM WAS SO BUSY ATTACKING MY JOINTS THAT IT DIDNT PAY ANY ATTETION TO THE BUGS COMING IN FROM THE OUTSIDE. ? THATS HOW I AM CHOSING TO LOOK AT IT.
KEL
It seems that I was always catching something before and after diagnosis in those early years with RA.
Since I've been treated for ITP and taking MTX for RA, I've actually been quite healthy... just one winter cold and it didn't last long. I've also had the flu shot every year and that's been a big help.