What is your rheumatoid arthritis story? Let's share!

@Meggie2020 Hello Meggie2020, thank you for starting this discussion! Welcome to our RA group! This is exactly what Carenity is for, bringing people together to share information, experiences and support! Let me tag some members who may not have seen this yet!

Hello all, I hope you're doing well! What's your RA story? When were diagnosed? How are you doing today? What treatments have you tried and how have they worked for you? Feel free to share your experiences here!

@AdenaR‍ @Markus‍ @sandy_steelergirl‍ @patgal‍ @PattyD‍ @Canvas36‍ @Kayjay‍ @LisaMcF‍ @DIANAALBARRACIN‍ @Andromeda441‍ @Cynthianicks‍ @Storey‍ @dae1127‍ @GinaChoquette88‍ @Kgetto12‍ @Jen-ny‍ @Glo12345‍

Take care,

Courtney

My RA was diagnosed about 6 years ago.  Although, the Dr. believes I have had it much longer.  I went thru the normal meds, Plaquenil,Arava, Methotextrate  onto the DMARDS.  Currently taking Orencia infusions.  Not particularly  impressed as of yet.  And worried about the lowered immunity.  Feel really yucky for a couple of days after the infusions.  Headache tired and upset tummy.  Hoping, these will diminish with time.  Also, taking PT to strengthen my muscles .

Hi! I was officially diagnosed with RA almost 2 years ago. I began with diclophenac, and moved on to steroids, methotrexate and now biologics. I started on Humira but saw no difference. I am currently taking Cimzia and have seen good results, however I think I am allergic to it because it gives me pins a needles for a few days. ( totally worth it though) 

I have also found Turmeric and warming CBD cream to be helpful! 

Hi, I initially was having intense pain in my hands and feet and was initially diagnosed with what they assumed was overuse from my job (I worked as a dental assistant). The doctor gave me a anti-inflammatory and then send me on my way. A year or so later when the medication really wasn't helping and I felt like my pain was getting worse, I went for a second opinion and they finally gave me my diagnosis! At much as it's not fun having RA, I was relieved at that point to know that I wasn't crazy and that it wasn't just overuse! Now it's been around 7 years and I'm staying strong! My doctor recently me put me on Rheumatrex (methotrexate) and we're seeing what it does for me!

@Courtney_J I was diagnosed about 4 years ago now I think, it feels like yesterday. I had been having really bad carpal tunnel, so the point where I could barely move my hands and wrists, especially in the morning. And then when the fevers and fatigue hit and I started having pain and inflammation in my elbows I went to a few doctors. I was recommended an amazing rheumatologist who identified it as RA and I've been with her ever since. I've been on Humira and it's working pretty well for me.

Hi, I was diagnosed in 2016 and was on Enbrel for a few years. Late last year it stopped working so they ended up switching me to methotrexate. I ended up having to quit my full time job and take smaller part-time or temp jobs because I couldn't handle the fatigue or pain. It was hard at first and definitely was a blow to me, but now I know it was the right choice for me and I can manage my RA better. 

@ahhbae How do you take the tumeric? I've heard it's good for joints but do you have to take it in large doses or do you just add it to food?

Hello my name is Lisa and I’m 42. Last April I started having a lot of pain and was barely able to walk at work. I went to the emergency room and was told the reason that I was in so much pain is because my entire body was severely swollen. My primary doctor at the time had retired and I had to find a new physician. There was initially no explanation for the inflammation and pain, so she ran a lot of tests and finally referred me to a rheumatologist. They ran more tests. My CCP and rheumatoid factor both came back negative. I started having swelling in my hands in January of this year. I went back to the rheumatologist and he gave me a prescription for plaquenil. Prior to this I didn’t have a diagnosis. In June I finally was diagnosed with seronegative rheumatoid arthritis. Almost three weeks ago, I started having pain in my shoulder that felt like a pinched nerve. My primary doctor ordered 2 MRIs, an X-ray and physical therapy for me. After my third PT session, my therapist said that she felt like this was a RA flare. This past Saturday I had the imaging done. My doctor called me this afternoon to tell me that the MRIs didn’t show much, but the X-ray showed arthritis in my rotator cuff. So I decided to look online for what to do for flare ups. It was suggested that I find a support group. So here I am.

@rtr097u1 I found turmeric capsules on amazon. I take 3 a day according to directions on the bottle. 

A long term sufferer. Not after I found this guide about natural pain reliever that helped me cope with pain and sleep better at night. The pain is NOT completely gone, but it's much more bearable now. 

I put it in here: [link removed by Community Manager for violation of community standards], this might help people.

Best of luck.