... just been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Went to the docs with
ever increasing pain all over my body, (symetrical), expected him to say it
was Osteo arthritis, just like my moms got, but after the blood tests come
back he says its Rheumatoid. He didnt say much at all about it, just that
he would make me an appointment to see a rheumatologist, and in the
meanwhile to take painkillers when needed.
I have to wait another 3 weeks before I can see the rheumatologist. I do
not have too much faith in my doctor so I googled the ailment.
I am now frightened to death.
Apparently I have a very serious disease, which is chronic. My lifespan is
now shortened as a result of the drugs I will have to take for the rest of
my life ( I am a 44 year old man). There is no cure. I will have to put up
with some very serious pain. The best case scenario is if the disease goes
into remission, which will give me some respite, but no one can tell how to
put it into remission. I went to the chemist and asked him what the best
drugs are to see me through until I get to see the rheumatologist, and he
said to take 400mgs of Ibuprofen every 4 hours. Can I take paracetomol
aswell?
My pain seems to vary day by day, some days (especially nights) I can be
almost in tears with the pain in my wrists especially, and other days I am
not bad at all. I have always been an even tempered kind of chap, but these
days if im having a good day (not in much pain) I am buzzing and feel on top
of the world and really good about things, and on bad days ( i suppose
understandably) I feel very down.
I read that depression is a part of RA, is that because you are fed up with
being in pain, or just a part of the disease? I am sorry if I seem to be
feeling sorry for myself (I am!) because I would imagine that most of you
have suffered for a lot of years, but I can not think of a better place to
come for a bit of advice.
Some questions I would like answers to if anyone has a minute.
As diseases go, is RA on a par with diabetes for seriousness? Or is it a
worse categorie?
Is it true that RA is worse for men than women?
The doc said that 44 was young to be suffering form RA, but google said it
is quite usual. Who is right?
Is it similar to Osteo or far worse?
Is the shortened lifespan due to the body beating itself up, or as a result
of the side effects of the medication?
Is diet a major factor in pain control? ( I am convinced it would be, as I
think it was my terrible diet that got me into this mess in the first place)
Can I take paracetomol as well as anti-inflammitaries?
I also now have a bad cold and cough (life sucks), but I cant be taking
Beechams as well as everything else can I?
Finally, I apologise for the length of this post, and the speling ; ), and
for all my moaning. I'm not that bad really, i am usually quite upbeat
about things, just want some pointers from the horses mouth (more apologies
for calling you all a horses mouth)
CHEERS
Stuart

"Stuart" <member@smeigh.wanadoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:dhljsq$98o$1@newsg1.svr.pol.co.uk...
I am sorry that it scared you so but respect sometimes comes from fear. If
it makes you take the medicine that is going to be required,,, fear is a
good thing.

Sorry,,,, that is wrong thinking in that,,,,, it is the disease that
shortens your life and if the medicine is not taken,,, it used to be that
your life span is 15 years shorter. With todays medicine, I know that is
not true. I came down with RA at 38 and started the control of my immune
system when I was 45. I am 65 now and have not had any procedures done on
my joints in a hospital and can still do most things that anyone else can.

There is no cure. I will have to put up
You are correct. There is no cure and joint pain is something that I live
with but it is not so bad that I have someone else paint my house or do my
lawn, wash my cars,, ect. ect.

The best case scenario is if the disease goes
The druggest should of warned you about Ibu eating your insides up. Take
with food and watch for blood in your stool. I like Naprosyn (Aleve) but it
does the same thing as far as eating holes in your insides.


I hope that you accept the fact that this is not going to go away and that
when your immune system is controlled,,,, you can do well. It takes a
positive attitude,,, a good Rheumatologist, and a little bit of luck that
your RD finds which medicine works best for you quickly because we all
react to these medicines a little bit differently.



There is no right or wrong.... I was 38 and it made me retire early at 55.
If they had Enbrel and Remicade back then,,,, I would still be working.

Worse by far..... RA attacks the support structure for joints anywhere in
your body. Voice box, ears, eyes, but the one that kills you is the
vascular system. RA must be controlled and the sooner the better. Be
afraid of the disease not the medicine. Respect the side effects of the
medicine but fear the disease.
1000's of people die each year all over the word from different medicines
eating a hole in there insides and we do not hear much about it.... Ibu,
asprin, NSAIDs,,,,,, a good thing to talk to your doctor about and watch
for.

Diet is important for several reasons. Our support joints go much faster if
we have too much weight.

A short answer is NO but your doctor will control that and the doctor must
be kept informed if you take over the counter type products.

No sure what that is but your doctor should make the call.

Oooh, I have been called the other end many times. It has something to do
with a persons point of view. LOLOL

Please read the support group and the UK has an excellent support group.
You are not alone with what is taking place and actually you are lucky to
be living in this time period with this disease. When I started,,, all
they had was gold shots, aspirin, and steroids to control RA. One of the
most important things to do with this disease is to get up each day trying
to make THIS day as good as you can make it. Accept what you have and do
what you can to control it but be positive about tomorrow and it will be.
Harv

Please be careful when taking ibuprofen. It is thought that it
contributes to colitis, which I now have in addition to arthritis. I
wish I had known this before I took so much ibuprofen for pain.
Take care.

I won't google Colitis, but i'm pretty sure its something I dont want. I am
stopping the Ibuprofen from NOW and will take paracetomol only when its bad.
Thanks,
Stuart
<tsedinger@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1128174093.260564.79030@o13g2000cwo.googlegro ups.com...

I got RA at 47 and at 69 am still functioning. True, I have had joint
replacements but my damage was done before the advent of the new tumor
necrosis medicines. If your rheumatologist suggests starting on one of them
right away I would go for it as they seem to be only things to slow damage.
Unfortunately they are expensive.

You will have up and down days, and progress and problems with the disease
vary with the person so don't automatically think the worse. I think every
one is depressed when they find they have this but with treatment and time
this will get better.

Ibuprofen is known for its irritation of stomach and if you find this a
problem you might want to try Aleve until you can get to see your
rheumatologist.

I don't think RA is worse for men, it just is worse for some people than
others.

One thing, you will have to learn to ignore people who have no idea what you
feel like. I have had remarks like "don't be so lazy take the stairs" and
"you shouldn't take that medicine it will do damage to stomach, etc."
Their advice is very unimformed and in many cases pretty stupid. You may
feel like clobbering them - join the crowd on that one.
Also, be wary of the home-remedies and advertised concoctions; they are
money-makers for the unscrupulous.

I hope you do get your remission and will be looking forward to hearing what
happens.
PD


"Stuart" <member@smeigh.wanadoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:dhljsq$98o$1@newsg1.svr.pol.co.uk...

Thanks for that PD, I will heed all your advice, and do feel better about
things.
cheers
stuart
"Hoosier" <dbldare@k-inc.com> wrote in message
news:11jvvc3e7egac25@corp.supernews.com...

I have read the first few post. Now I have nerve enough to but in.

I am 90 years young and never had any pain until a few weeks ago.

I have pain in my ankles, thumbs, and one knee. I can't take any aspirin
but take Tyanol for Ath. The pain is not so bad B/C It's just starting.
I am healthy, active though I have other problems. ITP ( low platelets,
) the reason I can't take aspirin' It is in the 50.

Sorry to say I am in my second childhood . I also have Tourette
Syndrome. In the 20's I had St. Vitis Dance at 9. in 1979 the label was
changed to TS.which came back in my 70's.

I know this is more then you wanted to know. But then I tell it like it
is.lol
I haven't seen my Dr. yet So I don't know What I got.

Fay

Hi Stuart
First get a new doctor as you will have alot to do with them in the years to
come. RA is a serious disease but manageable. It is no worse or better for
men compared to women but women usually get it alot younger than men. my mum
got it when she was 26 and i got it when i was 30. Your Rheumatologist will
explain more to you but theres no need to panic as you have it for the rest
of your life. Ibuprofen is best to take untill you see the Rhematologist as
its an anti inflamitory which reduces swelling therefore your pain.
Depression is part of the pain factor but look at it this way the pain your
in now is nothing compared to what you will get in the future I know it
sounds grim but its manageable. There are quite a few Celebrities that have
RA and you wouldnt even know it and not because they can get anything better
but are just in remission. but i do now one of them i cant remember his name
(the old guy in snow dogs check out his hands) has never taken any heavy
drugs but thats just stupid. The trick to living with RA is do what the
Rhematologist says and do what your doing now look up stuff read books do
what is right for you. Most people will not understand as its an invisable
disease. meaning if you where in a wheel chair people can see you have a
problem but RA well its not so easy. you will have good days and then some
bad days but get into the meds and you can at least live happily. your life
is not over just different.
"Stuart" <member@smeigh.wanadoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:dhljsq$98o$1@newsg1.svr.pol.co.uk...

May God bless you Fay.... Come to think of it,, God has already blessed you
at your age. Please see you doctor as soon as you can. Some of the
reasons for your kind of pain take awhile to fix and the sooner you get
started on the problems the better you will be.

Harv

"Fay" <Fayst@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:16594-43419906-902@storefull-3251.bay.webtv.net...

Thanks Harv for the blessing. I intend to see the Dr. soon. in the mean
time Tylenol helps.

Fay

"Harvey R. Stone" <none@nobody.net> wrote in message
news:M_v%e.2226$rl1.751@newssvr27.news.prodigy.net ...
Thanks for the response and putting me straight on a few things. Its good
to hear that you seem to have come through a lot of years with this and seem
to coping very well.
Hope my lucks good with my rheumatologist!
Cheers
Stuart

thanks to, it all helps
cheers
stuart

"Susan & Miles Minto" <parkermint@austarnet.com.au> wrote in message
news:dhsmr5$csm$1@austar-news.austar.net.au...

Oh Stuart - you do sound fed up!! I'm 32 yrs old have have had RA for 2.5
years. I don't think you can take Paracetamol at the same time as Ibuprofen
but I can certainly sympathise with you about the pain.

There is indeed no cure - but it is fully controlable!! 18 months ago I
could not even walk, move may arms, head or fingers!! Now my drug therapy
is working and I have a full and active life, with minimal pain. Yes - my
feet are swollen and sore - but hey, I can live with that!! Life expectancy
is not reduced!! The internet can really scare monger people!!

Have a look on these websites:

http://www.arc.org.uk/
http://www.arthritiscare.org.uk