Start so FAST?? I had a friend ask me why my RA didn't start to really bother me until after I got a diagnosis. The thing is, I was kind of wondering the same thing myself! I had bad WEAKNESS in my hands, but not pain. Now, I have this achiness/pain in my hands, wrists, elbows, knee's, ankles, feet (and my sternum which is what started it all)! I also didn't notice any "bad" inflamation until a couple of weeks ago either! I have heard from many different sourses that RA can come on very quickly, but THIS FAST? I guess it's not bad, it doesn't interfere with my functioning at all, but now I'm wondering if it will be much longer before I get to that point, ya know? Anyway...I know I'm one of the rare ones who finds out they have it right away with possitive blood work, but anyone else find out early they have it? And how long before you started to feel the effects of it? My friend was implying that this is all in my head....how can INFLAMATION that I can SEE be in my head??? I have a very strong tollerance for pain as well, so it's not like she has always seen me as a "cry baby", I never complain...EVER. I think that's part of the reason why her comments bothered me so much . Thanks for all your help...you guys are the best!!Heya Staci, I had someone I considered very close to me tell me he thought it was all in my head. Well nuts to him, he doesn't know what it's like to be in this skin! I'm like you, I was diagnosed relatively quickly (a few months) and the pain has gotten pretty bad quickly as well. I'm the same, the pain seems worse now it has a name. Reality is, the inflammation is worse now because it's come on full blown. Everyone's different though, and my rheumy was very surprised to see how fast I'm progressing. I went from absolutely fine to this *does a little curtsey* in eight months. The worst has been the last few weeks now that my hips have decided to join in the fun. I often feel weakness in my hands and knees and wondered if I was imagining it! Don't let the comments bother you too much, people just don't understand how you're feeling. Hi Staci, I had only hip pain at first and thought I must have strained them somehow.  when the pain progressed over the next few months I called to make an apt with my GP.  One afternoon the week prior to my apt with the GP all of my joints started to hurt within a very short time (1-2 hrs) everything was hurting. So yes it can start so fast.  Maybe your friend should read some of the posts here and become educated before making implications. It is not in your head!!.....that's just how this dumb thing is. Pam   Hi Staci,  I know where you are coming from.  I asked myself the same question.  One day I was not ill and then extreme pain in one shoulder, then the other, then the hips, then the knees and then my whole body was hurting.  My ra came on very strong but prednisone would always relieve it until I tapered off.  I would usually take pred. for about six weeks tapering.  Now that I am not treating acute pain it has turned into constant aches and pains.  I look back and cannot believe how much my life has changed in less than a year.  The tiredness also is subtle until one day I just realized that I am tired most of the time.  That is confusing because depression causes tiredness.  Who would not be depressed with this dx.   I worry about the progression but I am more hopeful now that I am on this board.  So many have found relief from the right med combination.  I am trying to be patient.  At least I have not had a monster flare in quite some time.  It is a wierd disease.  I also wonder if others think "IT IS IN MY HEAD"!!!  I am getting passed that.   We have enough to worry about, have to focus on taking care of ourselves and trust the people that love us.   STAY POSITIVE!!!! Maybe it is the stress associated with having been told you do indeed have RA. Stress can cause us to flare up. Things such as hormones, weather, and certain foods can too. I think the hardest part of having RA in the unpredictability. For no reason at all it can just act up and you find yourself having to rearrange your day and cancel plans. This can be hard on friends and family because you don't look any different. You don't look sick. I think your friend should read up on RA, and like Pam suggested, come here and read some of the threads to have a better understanding. Chin up, it's not in your head. Hey Staci, No one has a right to make you feel like your just imagining your pain. Maybe your friend dosent know how to approach the subject other than to put her foot in her mouth. But even if she was serious about her comments, that is not her call to make. I had to set a dear friend of mine straight about my illness. I was with her one day and all of a sudden fatigue hit out of nowhere. She tried to imply that I just pretended to be that tired because I was ready to leave. I was floored at her nerve, esp since her mom has RA too. Its not fair for people to judge your illness for you like they no better than you how your body feels. Find a kind way to explain to your friend that your cannot predict what course RA will take. You never know when it will get better or worse, if it comes on slowly, or hits you all of a sudden. If she still cant accept this than maybe she's not one to count on for any further support. Take care Shawnie
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