General Discussions => Health => Topic started by: Born_to_Rune on July 13, 2011, 03:19:27 PM Return to Full Version
Title: Rheumatoid Arthritis
Post by: Born_to_Rune on July 13, 2011, 03:19:27 PM
Post by: Born_to_Rune on July 13, 2011, 03:19:27 PM
I'm posting this, because although it is a fairly common disease, and I've connected with some others online, I was just wondering if others might have RA?
For those who don't know, don't be fooled by the name. While arthritis is common, the way this disease attacks is not something you would perhaps realize. It can attack joints (and for some that is the most noticeable form of the disease) but also attacks organs (Heart, liver, lungs and brain). But this is an auto immune disease - in other words the body attacks itself. It thinks there are foreign invaders, and ramps up the immune system to fight out something that essentially isn't there.
So, this isn't just wear and tear or old age (as with most osteoarthritis) but something that can attack at any time. In fact, it appears most who get RA are diagnosed around mid thirties, and many, like me show signs long before that. In my case, nearly 10 years before.
Treatments vary, but basically they are all trying to do the same job - suppress your immune system. Downside to this means I'm now also more susceptible to other problems, like colds and flu. In Feb. I had a cold, which was a viral attack. In its own right, I wouldn't have been down long - as it was it was near enough 8 weeks before I recovered.
I take Sulfasalazine 500 mg and Methotrexate 10 mg - both toxic nasty stuff, but a necessary evil. It means that I also have to undergo regular blood tests *fortunately unlike NB who can faint* needles and blood doesn't faze me.
Would be interested to know if others either have RA or even just an Auto immune disease.
For those who don't know, don't be fooled by the name. While arthritis is common, the way this disease attacks is not something you would perhaps realize. It can attack joints (and for some that is the most noticeable form of the disease) but also attacks organs (Heart, liver, lungs and brain). But this is an auto immune disease - in other words the body attacks itself. It thinks there are foreign invaders, and ramps up the immune system to fight out something that essentially isn't there.
So, this isn't just wear and tear or old age (as with most osteoarthritis) but something that can attack at any time. In fact, it appears most who get RA are diagnosed around mid thirties, and many, like me show signs long before that. In my case, nearly 10 years before.
Treatments vary, but basically they are all trying to do the same job - suppress your immune system. Downside to this means I'm now also more susceptible to other problems, like colds and flu. In Feb. I had a cold, which was a viral attack. In its own right, I wouldn't have been down long - as it was it was near enough 8 weeks before I recovered.
I take Sulfasalazine 500 mg and Methotrexate 10 mg - both toxic nasty stuff, but a necessary evil. It means that I also have to undergo regular blood tests *fortunately unlike NB who can faint* needles and blood doesn't faze me.
Would be interested to know if others either have RA or even just an Auto immune disease.
Title: Re: Rheumatoid Arthritis
Post by: Robert Scott on July 13, 2011, 03:32:24 PM
Post by: Robert Scott on July 13, 2011, 03:32:24 PM
I have psoratic arthritis ... which is a form of RA .... I also have psorasis. I got diagnosed with it in my early 20's --- I tried methotrexate - didn't work and I hated that natsy stuff. I felt like I was glowing with toxic chemicals for a couple days after taking my dosage. I have been on enbrel for the last 10 years and lucky for me it works beautifully! One shot a week and my psoarsis goes away and I haven't had a flair up in ages. In fact, I moved states and have been with my current rheumo doc who I have been with for fives years asked me last visit if I was sure I was diagnosed with psoratic arthritis since he hasn't seen any symptons in me --- he has my medical records so knows I ran the gamit of stuff -- cordo shots - methotrexate -- pain pilss --- right old pharmacy at my house for a while.
However, my internal medicine doctor (I have diabeties & high cholestrol too) and my rhemo doctor have given me the thumbs up to start hrt.
However, my internal medicine doctor (I have diabeties & high cholestrol too) and my rhemo doctor have given me the thumbs up to start hrt.
Title: Re: Rheumatoid Arthritis
Post by: Born_to_Rune on July 13, 2011, 04:09:37 PM
Post by: Born_to_Rune on July 13, 2011, 04:09:37 PM
They first looked at Psoratic arthritis with me - my father had it (Psoriasis), and I was told I could still have it, and not display symptoms of the skin disease. They discounted it pretty quickly though. As you say, the two are often closely linked. I've just done my weekly MTX dose - it doesn't always agree with me, but I find after a day or so, it tends to settle down. I've recently moved (I'm in the UK) and so I'm seeing a new specialist at the beginning of August.
We do have Enbrel here, and other similar treatments, but MTX still seems to be the first choice for many, since a lot of the other treatments have only come across the pond comparatively recently - So it seems feels like they are a little hesitant to prescribe unless everything else fails. I'm hoping to get rid of the Sulfasalazine when I see my new specialist. The thought was when I first went on MTX to stay on Sulf. until they knew I was stable with it - with bloods and side effects - but then I moved, so its kinda put it all in a bit of a hold at the moment.
Interestingly, I found a lot of people also seem to get problems with high blood pressure with this as well! One factor I've also found - as a born woman - is when my period is due - my arthritis hits overdrive. Interestingly, a lot of other women suffer the same problem on or around that time. Just thought I would mention it if you're about to start HRT - because if my body goes through a bit of a surge with the arthritis due to the hormonal changes at that time of the month, I would suspect that you might find it could cause some problems while you're body adjusts?
Anyway, good to have someone who understands the issues with this disease, and best of luck with your HRT!
We do have Enbrel here, and other similar treatments, but MTX still seems to be the first choice for many, since a lot of the other treatments have only come across the pond comparatively recently - So it seems feels like they are a little hesitant to prescribe unless everything else fails. I'm hoping to get rid of the Sulfasalazine when I see my new specialist. The thought was when I first went on MTX to stay on Sulf. until they knew I was stable with it - with bloods and side effects - but then I moved, so its kinda put it all in a bit of a hold at the moment.
Interestingly, I found a lot of people also seem to get problems with high blood pressure with this as well! One factor I've also found - as a born woman - is when my period is due - my arthritis hits overdrive. Interestingly, a lot of other women suffer the same problem on or around that time. Just thought I would mention it if you're about to start HRT - because if my body goes through a bit of a surge with the arthritis due to the hormonal changes at that time of the month, I would suspect that you might find it could cause some problems while you're body adjusts?
Anyway, good to have someone who understands the issues with this disease, and best of luck with your HRT!
Title: Re: Rheumatoid Arthritis
Post by: Robert Scott on July 13, 2011, 04:35:01 PM
Post by: Robert Scott on July 13, 2011, 04:35:01 PM
I do not have high blood pressure -- just cholesterol -- in fact I have excellent blood pressure.
Enbrel has worked wonders for me -- I am completely sympton free - in fact have been for years - I couldn't tell you the last time my joints ached. I have damage in 75% of my joints -- I was in bad shape when I was diagnosed. Enbrel is very expensive here so my doctor had to show that I tried metho for at least a year and saw no improvement.
I am an ftm - so I will be taking T so I am not sure if it is going to affect me. I plan to start HRT on Aug 1st --- none of my doctors expect it will be a problem
Enbrel has worked wonders for me -- I am completely sympton free - in fact have been for years - I couldn't tell you the last time my joints ached. I have damage in 75% of my joints -- I was in bad shape when I was diagnosed. Enbrel is very expensive here so my doctor had to show that I tried metho for at least a year and saw no improvement.
I am an ftm - so I will be taking T so I am not sure if it is going to affect me. I plan to start HRT on Aug 1st --- none of my doctors expect it will be a problem
Title: Re: Rheumatoid Arthritis
Post by: Born_to_Rune on July 13, 2011, 06:17:55 PM
Post by: Born_to_Rune on July 13, 2011, 06:17:55 PM
Pleased to hear Enbrel is working so well for you. I know someone who recently started it after all other options failed. Its expensive here, and cost is the main reason a lot of primary health care trusts only use it as a last resort (with our NHS). In some instances, depending on where you are in the country they will only put you on something like that if you are working and not off disabled by it all! So not great, if like me, the disease affects daily life and I'm now classified as disabled with it all.