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Rhematoid arthrtitis support thread

L

Lyndie

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I have RA. I was diag'd at 18, however after going over my medical history, the doc said I probably had it my whole life but didn't know it. RA is a disease which causes your own immune system to attack the joints and the soft tissues of your body. It can also include our organs.
It is also a very misunderstood disease, it is not the same as regular arthritis. RA causes pain, fatigue, brain fog, and a whole lot of other symptoms. People can die from complications from RA.
I am currently in the middle of a flare due to the stress of being on the road for two months, working 12-14 hours a day.There are days when the most I can get accomplished is getting out of bed. In some ways I was silly to think I could do that job and not suffer consequences, however I do give myself a bit of credit for even attempting it. I didn't do it though without a lot of prayer and strength from God himself.
This thread is for those who suffer from RA, and those who know someone who has it. I know there are similar diseases out there like fibromyalgia and lupus, so you are also welcome to join in. Here is a good read-
The Spoon Theory written by Christine Miserandino | But You Dont Look Sick?
 
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Laurilee

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Hello Lyndie,
Thankyou for posting about this. I have recently been diagnosed with arthritis and the doctor thought it was rheumatoid. I have severe arthritis in both of big toes, and feet, and also in other places - the feet are bad though. My doctor ordered a blood test for me to look for the rheumatoid factor. However I never got it done because I changed doctors because I saw a different doctor in the practice who was horrible to me and I just flipped and changed my doctor. So now, I have to go see my new doctor and explain the situation and try to get a blood test done. I am in difficulty getting to doctors etc. because my husband is badly disabled and in a wheelchair. Doctors just don't seem to understand my difficulty there.

I still don't know if mine is rheumatoid or not, but it is in the family so it might be. I do get very fatigued and my whole body seems to ache and sometimes I can hardly get going at all. I just feel so tired, and my body itself feels so tired and as if I can hardly move it. I don't know if this is how RA feels, but I know I must get this test done.

It sounds as if you are having a really hard time Lyndie, with your job. I hope things improve for you. Also I do agree that people don't understand RA and think it is just like ordinary arthritis. I know my uncle has problems as his is rheumatoid and people don't understand.

God bless you Lyndie and thankyou for opening this subject up.
 
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Lyndie

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You are welcome. Remeber when you go to your doctor though and have your bloodwork done, that you can have a negative rheumatoid factor and still have RA. Mine changes all the time. I will pray you find a good doctor. I don't know if you have facebook, but there is a support group I am on.
Welcome to Facebook
Lots of great women and good info there. Keep us updated okay?
 
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mnolen82

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Hi everyone! I have never been diagnosed with RA but was interested to hear some experiences from people that have been diagnosed. Let me tell you a little bit about my symptoms and I just want to see if anyone has been similar to me. I would say my symptoms began probably 7 months ago with just generalized fatigue and non-restful sleep. Even if I slept a good 8-10 hours, I still felt overwhelmingly exhausted. Before my symptoms began, I was a very active person, had a gym membership and also was a runner. I also did couponing, was very active with my little boy, kept my home tidy and was very active with my church. I gradually just became too tired to function except for the basic care of myself, my child, and working my job. I then began having frequent headaches. I sometimes woke up with such severe headaches that I couldn't move until my husband brought me a drink and some Excedrin Migraine (I have never had migraines before). Now I have noticed that when I wake up, I feel that I can hardly move (I am EXTREMELY tired) and have stiffness in my neck, back, hands, and knees and I have to take medicine a lot of mornings just so I can get out of bed and go to work. I have actually called in to work because it has been so severe. I am late for work a lot of mornings because of this but luckily I don't clock in at my job. I don't have the same amount of stiffness or pain every morning but I feel like it is getting more frequently. During the day, I feel better in my joints but am still fatigued. I'm not asking anyone to diagnose me. I plan on seeing a doctor but I am trying to work up the nerve because I don't want to go and they tell me it's all in my mind. I just want to find out if anyone else has experienced what I am experiencing and/or tell me what your experience is. With the joint stiffness, I definitely worry that it may be RA (but PRAY that it is not).
 
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ItismeSandy

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I have had it full blown for 8 years now, for me, it was exposure to black toxic mold that kicked it off. Without medical for a long time, I relied on God for everything. Learned a lot of lessons along the way, like trusting God completely, and see where I was going wrong. I have found diet to have a huge effect, along with weather on my flare ups. I am a herbal woman, and don't mind testing different things, after researching it. Lately, I have been working with a mixed herbal tea, that really has taken away pain and inflammation. It has been doing wonders! Here is my recipe:

1 tbsp Oregano
1 tsp Hyssop
1 tsp Thyme
1 tbsp Turmeric
1 tsp Nettle
1/2 tsp Red Pepper

Put all into sauce pan, with desired water (I usually fill the pot) Bring to boil, let steep 10 minutes. I like taking a towel, and drape it over my head, inhaling the steam. Than drink it after it cools a bit..All the herbs listed above have been used for eons for Rheumatoid, and I see why..Hope this helps someone!
 
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BeStill&Know

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I have had it full blown for 8 years now, for me, it was exposure to black toxic mold that kicked it off. Without medical for a long time, I relied on God for everything. Learned a lot of lessons along the way, like trusting God completely, and see where I was going wrong. I have found diet to have a huge effect, along with weather on my flare ups. I am a herbal woman, and don't mind testing different things, after researching it. Lately, I have been working with a mixed herbal tea, that really has taken away pain and inflammation. It has been doing wonders! Here is my recipe:

1 tbsp Oregano
1 tsp Hyssop
1 tsp Thyme
1 tbsp Turmeric
1 tsp Nettle
1/2 tsp Red Pepper

Put all into sauce pan, with desired water (I usually fill the pot) Bring to boil, let steep 10 minutes. I like taking a towel, and drape it over my head, inhaling the steam. Than drink it after it cools a bit..All the herbs listed above have been used for eons for Rheumatoid, and I see why..Hope this helps someone!
Welcome ! I'm into natural medicine too. I'll give it a try. What size sauce pan? I'm assuming these are dried or fresh herbs? Or are they Essential oils? I know some Essential oils can be used as well.
 
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ItismeSandy

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Welcome ! I'm into natural medicine too. I'll give it a try. What size sauce pan? I'm assuming these are dried or fresh herbs? Or are they Essential oils? I know some Essential oils can be used as well.
I used ground herbs dried
 
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Savi

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I pray you seek the Lord. RA is an auto immune issue ? Good cells attacking itself. This is spiritual as much as physical. I was diagnosed with a worse type or RA called AS. But what God has shown me is that as we transform by renewing of our minds, the body is going to stop believing it's under attack. Sincerely hope that you go in to the word of God and see what God tells you about the situation. Take refuge in him and He will come to your assistance. Seek him with your whole heart and Trust him...
God bless you
Savi
 
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Most people with arthritis have a serious sulfur deficiency. Its one of the top three vital nutrients in the body. Nutritional deficiencies can have devastating affects to the body. Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, kale etc. are loaded with sulfer and will knock down the inflammation. If you have severe to moderate arthritis pain use organic sulfur crystals. I take the Happy body brand daily, good stuff!


https://www.amazon.com/Organic-Sulf...512011751&sr=1-4&keywords=organic+sulfur&th=1
 
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Odetta

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I was recently diagnosed with RA without the R factor. I have it in my ankles, knees, hips, and the first joint of both my index fingers. I've been on methotrexate for about a month, and it's helped some. Fatigue has been a big issue, though. I've ordered some supplements to help and am looking a cleaning up my diet. I also need to start exercising, and I've read that can help. So much to change all at once, though, I'm taking it step by step.

I also need to have my youngest son checked out. He complains sometimes of his feet and legs hurting to the point where he says he can't stand or walk and will fall to the floor. However, he also has a history of severe depression and anxiety, and school refusal, and lying, so it's been chalked up to psychosomatic or even a false excuse as it tended to happen on school mornings. Now with my own diagnosis, I'm rethinking that, and feeling like a bad mom.
 
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Jeffwhosoever

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Are you seeing a Rheumatologist? He or she might try that but start researching Remicade and other biological medicines and ask about it. There are a growing number of biologic so it might require a trial on a few (Simponi, Enbrel, and others) but don't give up because unlike methotrexate, they actually cure or significantly change the disease to be not so severe.
 
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I've got Ankylosing Spondylitis. Thankfully my issues are limited to severe fusion in my spine, shoulders and hips. I don't get flares or hard core fatigue, so I consider myself lucky.
20423945_10211595475780119_5652431293026911264_o.jpg
 
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Hvizsgyak

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Hi everyone! I have never been diagnosed with RA but was interested to hear some experiences from people that have been diagnosed. Let me tell you a little bit about my symptoms and I just want to see if anyone has been similar to me. I would say my symptoms began probably 7 months ago with just generalized fatigue and non-restful sleep. Even if I slept a good 8-10 hours, I still felt overwhelmingly exhausted. Before my symptoms began, I was a very active person, had a gym membership and also was a runner. I also did couponing, was very active with my little boy, kept my home tidy and was very active with my church. I gradually just became too tired to function except for the basic care of myself, my child, and working my job. I then began having frequent headaches. I sometimes woke up with such severe headaches that I couldn't move until my husband brought me a drink and some Excedrin Migraine (I have never had migraines before). Now I have noticed that when I wake up, I feel that I can hardly move (I am EXTREMELY tired) and have stiffness in my neck, back, hands, and knees and I have to take medicine a lot of mornings just so I can get out of bed and go to work. I have actually called in to work because it has been so severe. I am late for work a lot of mornings because of this but luckily I don't clock in at my job. I don't have the same amount of stiffness or pain every morning but I feel like it is getting more frequently. During the day, I feel better in my joints but am still fatigued. I'm not asking anyone to diagnose me. I plan on seeing a doctor but I am trying to work up the nerve because I don't want to go and they tell me it's all in my mind. I just want to find out if anyone else has experienced what I am experiencing and/or tell me what your experience is. With the joint stiffness, I definitely worry that it may be RA (but PRAY that it is not).
I think I have something similar to what you are experiencing yourself. I just retired (earlier than scheduled) from delivering mail for the US Postal Service. I had worked there for 30 years. Prior to that I was a programmer analyst (government contractor) for 7 years. That is where it all began with my chronic pain, super heavy brain fog, and fatigue. I have seen medical specialists for years and all they come up with is fibromyalgia/chronic pain, sleep apnea. But the causes I can tell you what they were for me: stress, stress, stress, lack of sleep (I needed almost a day of sleep to feel better but I was usually getting only 6 hours of sleep a night) and over exertion of my muscles (carrying mail for the post office can be very tedious and monotonous). Tell that to a doctor and they tell you you need to exercise more. Originally, I was walking our dog three times a day, at least a mile each time and quickly. I'm 60 years old now and I can only make one walk a day, barely around the block.

Every so often I some how manage to feel decent and I become alot more active for about 2 days but soon after I wear out again. Mornings are the worse. the last 2 hours of sleep are laying there in bed in pain (mainly my knees and ankles, occasionally my upper arms and wrists and fingers; and if its a good day (sarcasm) my whole body aches). Since I'm retired now I'll stay in bed a little longer but eventually I convince myself I have to get some work around the house done. This can go on for days until I get this spark in me and I can get alot of work done.

I had to retire 6 months early because there were days when I just stopped delivering and stare out the window of my truck, thinking to myself - I can't do this anymore. So I retired. But even in retirement, the problem somewhat continues to exist but now I can rest longer (or until my wife gets tired of me resting). Hopefully, retirement isn't too far off for you. But if it is really bad, you can apply for disability through social security, I believe. God bless you. Just wanted to let you know there are others like you with similar symptoms :).
 
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Akjv

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I was told I have mild Lupus and Osteoarthritis and fatigue. After 5 years of medds I came up with a concoction of my own.
I took a qt of honey put about a 1/4 of it in another jar and set aside to add back when needed.
put about 10 cloves of galic (take off skin ) and a lemon ( peel and all) in a blender for a minute or two
add to the qt of honey and take two TBL two or three time a day later you may take less.
will have to add garlic and lemon again later.
 
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