Newly found RA

[poopazoopa]

I am only 49 and been diagnosed with RA.  The RA doctor was giving me steroid shots in each hip but I stopped as I was afraid of the side effects.  Walking up stairs is a big chore but going down is easier.  The pain is now radiating down my legs and into my knees.  I am curious as to what other people have found that works for them with limited side effects.  It all started in my hips but is now getting worse.  I do not go to any Dr. or take any medications as nothing has worked in the past.  He put me on a medication that is used to treat maleria but I broke out in a rash all over.  I would just like some input as to what best helps other people before I venture back to a RA doctor that just wants to make me pop pills.

[lglavish]

I also have early RA, and I'm 44 years old.  I was diagnosed officially on 4-19-2010 altough my symptoms started in late February.  I was tested for all kinds of things including Lyme disease.  My ana test was negative but I had a high RA factor (70) and a very high CCP antibody test (over 250).  My first main symptoms started in my shoulders.  I now have pain and stiffness in hands, wrists, elbows, hips, ankles, feet, toes.  My Rheumy Doc put me on prednisone for 3 weeks and also started Methotrexate at 10 mg, I've just now been increased to 15 mg of the mtx weekly.

You need to be treated!  RA will not go away and it can damage more than just your joints.  I understand that it is depressing knowing that popping pills will be part of your life, but most of the time the pain and debilitation of this disease far out weigh the side effects.  

Have you had a full blood panel including liver and kidney function?  Please find a doctor or go back to the one you have and tell him about your side effects so he/she can help or change your meds.

[carolanivey]

Hi, there,

I'm sorry you're having so much pain. Steroids are usually a temporary band-aid and you are right to be cautious of the long-term side effects. However, a diagnosis of RA means you need some kind of treatment, or you face progressively worsening joint damage and debilitating pain. It's not going to get better on its own if you try to "tough it out".

I've had it since age 5 and had my hips replaced at age 37 (left) and 40 (right). It made a huge difference in my quality of life and I'd do it again.

I strongly advise you to seek out another rheumatologist, if you are unhappy with the first one. All rheumies are going to try the "first-line" meds and progress to different ones if those don't work. RA symptoms and treatment are unique to each person, so finding what works for you is going to take trial and error. Which takes time - it's tough to be patient and give meds a chance to work when you're in pain, but that's the reality. :/

Most meds need several weeks, if not months, in your system to determine if they're going to work for you. Most of us are on a combination of two, three, or more medications to manage our symptoms so we can live a relatively normal life. However, you will have to adjust your expectation as to what's "normal". We will have good days and not so good days - successful treatment is often defined in baby steps.

It is no admission of weakness or failure to need medication for a real disease. You wouldn't hesitate to take medication if you had diabetes, would you? RA is no different. You need treatment. Please don't wait to find a rheumie you can work with.

Good luck,
Carolan