Rheumotoid Arthritis support thread.

glucosamine/ chondroiten works very well for my wife and me. I climb so many ladders and stairs, plus do jobs requiring heavy arm use that if I quit taking it, they get sore and stay sore, until I get some more to take.

Rats, only 3 days of no pain and I'm back to having a vice around my foot. I'll have to see what happens tomorrow after my methotrexate inj.

I am a 53 yr old female just diagnosed tonight with Rheumotoid Arthritis. My sed rate was 38. I ache all over and have very little energy. Oddly enough I am having difficulties sleeping. My MD referred me to a rheumotoidologist. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you
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Hello, Catherine. Welcome to a2k.

A bunch of folks here share having rheumatoid arthritis, and they may post when they check into the site.
I know a little bit about it from my old laboratory days, but not as a clinician, and my comments aren't all that useful, any knowledge I have being old, unless I can figure out where to direct you.

The doctor you are talking about is a rheumatologist, and the subject is rheumatology. You will get fed up with those words - but the people I used to know in that field of medicine were good people.

Hi Catherine,

I'm about to turn 43 and was diagnosed last fall. I went to see a podiatrist because I was becoming a regular runner and was having some foot problems. In addition to that I was experiencing swelling in a few fingers and some serious pain in my thumb. A hand specialist told me it wasn't carpal tunnel, ordered some labs and referred me to a rheumatologist.

The only lab that was abnormal was a slightly elevated anti-CCP(whatever that is) my RA factor still shows normal.

I see my Rheumy on Monday. Hope you're feeling better today!

The pain caused due to Arthritis is one of the common pains found in most of the people nowadays. This problem can be probably managed by bringing some changes in the lifestyle. One must also exercise regularly for the joints to function properly also it helps for strengthening of the muscles.

I was diagnosed with RA few years back and I was suffering from pain in my knees. It was unbearable at times and I was getting so depressed. Then I went for a stem cell treatment and continued with the treatment for about four months and I couldn't believe the results. The pain reduced and so did my medications.
It was a treatment where the bone marrow was extracted and the stem cells that was separated from the bone marrow was re-injected to my knees. I was feeling a progress within the first month and now I feel absolutely great with no pains. My orthopedic surgeon Dr. Purita sure did a great job!