Rheumatoid arthritis developing during TX??????

[nency]

Hello all my friends, I want to know if anyone developed rheumatoid arthritis during Tx? Suddenly, after 20 weeks, I started having small joints pain, stiffness and redness of my hands; I am very upset that it can be RF. Next week I will see my doc to have RF test done.  I hope it is just my obsession and not the disease.
Thank you in advance.
Nency

[kickboxingmom]

Hi to all. I'also tested pos.for hepc 1a back in Nov.a wk. after my 50th.B.Day.I had been told two months prior I had a factor 14 for R.A.I have been doen research on the factors and don't have a clue as what factor even means. My Dr. said, 14 is a significant number ???Could someone explain what the number means with the word factor?
Thank You to ALL for I have been reading this forum for awhile and can't tell you how much I appreciate The Gold Standard of info.My biopsy is set for April 3rd.and also want to say, God Bless you guys.You think your bucket runneth over till you hear some of the people on here and the struggles they endure.Thank You Again and God Bless, "G"

[FloridaMouse]

Unfortunately my mom passed away at the young age of 61 back in 2000 from COPD.  When they tested my RA factor 5 years before treatment is 76.  The idiot that tested it just "mentioned" it to me and never took it any further.

When I started become symptomatic during treatment they waited until I finished my first round of treatment before they tested  it again. I was at 55.

I like your father also take methotrexate.  I'm on the lowest possible dose (7.5mg per week) because of my liver.  I also take Humira injections every 2 weeks.  Humira gets the leg, pegasys gets the tummy LOL.

I really think I would have wound up with RA anyway because of the genetic issue.   I've not reached a pain free level yet but I understand that that may not happen now until I'm off this round of treatment.

Hey I'm tough though and I'm gonna suck it up for the next 14 more months that I have left.

Mouse

[fuzzy1dar]

Sorry to here you've developed RA while on tx.  Do you think the tx brought it on...or maybe because it runs in your family?  Sorry about your mom being in a wheelchair..hope she's doing well.  My exhubby has RA...while on meds after his heart attack he developed RA pretty bad.  Has been on Methotrexate for the past 3 or so years and is so much better these days...able to get around and pain free.

Do you know what you RA factor was before you started tx?  I"m curious because I had a RA factor of 27 before tx...then went down to 20 after 4wks tx.

Best to you....Darla

[FloridaMouse]

I became symptomatic for RA while on my first round of treatment.  I was about 7 months into my tx when I started showing signs.   I had a "direct" family history in that my mom had RA so bad she was in a wheelchair.  I also found out after my RA diagnosis that I had tested positive for the RA factor 5 years before I even tried treating.

In a nut shell, they say I probably would have wound up with active RA anyway, interferon just hastened the process for me.

Mouse

[nency]

Thank you  slbd for your comments.Wow gongratulation on svr. I hope all my new symptoms will go away as you said.  I am type 1b, and on 23 week of Tx, and no other autoimmune dz proir. I want stop Tx at 24 weeks; I can't take it any more! I have decided if RF and SLE come back negative maybe I will continue Tx for 2-3 more month, so I'll see. Thank you once again.
Nency

[sldb]

I dont have RA, but prior to tx. i was tested for all sorts of autoimmune diseases. I asked my hep why?  His response was if you have any autoimmune disorders, Tx can make it worse.  Hep said he would not treat certain pts with certain disorders.  (lupus etc.).  Prior to tx i had the same symptoms you are experiencing now, once tx started they went away,i cant for the life of me remember at what wk.  Post tx i had the same symptoms flare up as pre tx. but to a greater degree.  3 mths later they diappeared.  What genotype are you, and were you tested for autoimmune diseases prior to tx?  (svr now, 18 mths).  I have read here where quite a few people exp. joint pain once starting tx.  I am sure someone with more info will answer..Just wanted to wish you good luck with your tx.... Leah