Introduce Yourself!
Replies
-
Hi ! I am Holly, I am 28 years old . I have R.A. , Lupus, Asthma and Hypothyroidism. I was first diagnosed with adult still's disease at about 22 , I was so sick for a 6 months and no one would figure out what was wrong. They finally put me on prednisone said if I was better, they knew what was wrong and sure enough I got better. That is when they said if was adult still's disease which is juvenile ra. I've been on prednisone ever since , trying multiple times to get off with no success and lots of depressing weight gain /moon face. My dh and I began trying to have a family , we lost several pregnancies which we now know was due to the lupus and then in 2010 our daughter was still born again due to the lupus which at the time they didn't feel the need to treat with anything. It was at the begining of that pregnancy they found that I had lupus, which they had believed I had all along but was never positive on blood testing and all of a sudden ever lupus test was glaringly positive. We started me on higher doses of prednisone, hydroxchloroquine, and baby aspirin . I had a sucessful pregnancy that led to the delivery of a beautiful baby boy in May . I am wanting to lose a bit more weight before I feel comfortable getting pregnant with our second and last child before going on lupus/ ra medications in which I cannot breast feed or become pregnant on but will be able to come off the dreaded prednisone and hopefully get down to low 200's which is my biggest goal. The joints the bother me are my hands, fingers, arms, and my toe joints. I look forward to getting to know you all.
Hi Holly, I messaged you as well! I am another survivor of pregnancy loss, I have two daughters and have had 5 miscarriages (4 before my first daughter, then one between kids). I just wanted to say that you can take a few of the DMARDs during pregnancy - Plaquenil and Enbrel are both okay. Low dose prednisone is okay as well. Plaquenil is also a category L2 drug, it is okay to take while breastfeeding. I have been doing tons of research on RA treatment during pregnancy because my husband and I are really wanting to have a third child, but have been unsure of doing so while treating my RA. I still haven't found a treatment plan that works for me yet, and haven't been on Enbrel for 12 consecutive weeks yet either, plus there are other factors causing us to wait...but I want to have my disease under better control before we have another baby. I am afraid of the post-baby flare.0 -
Hi, my name is Laurie. I'm currently being diagnosed. I have a very positive ANA, a positive Lupus marker and clinical symptoms of RA, Lupus and Psoriatic Arthritis. I’m tired just thinking of what to type.
I see my Rhumey in Feb for more tests. I'm taking several medications and just started a multi vitamin and supplements to help - anything to feel better.
My symptoms don't seem to be as severe as most I’ve read about. Mostly I suffer from fatigue, lack of sleep and my hands hurting. I did buy a paraffin hand dip and LOVE it!! My hands were the first clue and the little patches on my elbows. I’ve had my elbows since I was 33 and the hands started waking me at night at about 36. I'm almost 40 now and just plain exhausted. I try to take Vitamin B energy drinks prior to 1pm for energy boost... but if I do it too late in the day, I'll never sleep at night.
Anyway, I have a lot of weight to loose and it's nice to have a support group.
Laurie0 -
Hello
My name is Samantha and I am a 22 year old Senior in college. I was diagnosed with RA this past September. With the steroids and well just bad eating I have gained weight. The weight I have lost was because of being sick from the meds lowering my immune system...
Thankfully my doctor has changed my meds so i now longer get as sick, and well I've gained most of the weight back. Now its time for me to lose it a healthy way. I'm getting married in June and my goal is to lose 20 pounds by then, I figured that is about 4 pounds a month.
What exercises are good for RA? i want something that wont hurt my joints.
I know the saying "no pain no gain" But i'm sure most if not all of you would not agree with that statement 0 -
Hi all. I'm Beth. I am 30 years old. I was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis when I was 5. Unfortunately, I have the poly-articular kind. Affected in every single joint. When I was younger (prolly till the age of 22 or 23) I rebelled and didn't do as my doctor said. I rarely took my meds and rarely exercised. I just didn't care. Well, to say the least, I grew out of that. Problem is, now my joints have degenerated so badly that I have very limited range of motion. When I was 17, I had both my hips replaced. At 20, both my knees. I also had my left hip revised twice last year. Well, with the first two surgeries I didnt exercise. I did for the 1st month I had home health but after that I quit. Yea, I'm stupid for that.
Anyways, now here I sit wanting to work out to lose some weight. I want to lose 20-25 lbs just to ease the pressure on my joints. It is so hard to work out. During the summers, I try to walk around my neighborhood (takes about 20 mins). I have used Wii Fit but I've gotten bored of it. During the colder months, I try to walk on the treadmill for 10-15 mins, but I get overheated fast, and I can feel more pressure on my ankles and knees than walking around the block.
Well, thats about it I guess. Nice to meet everybody.0 -
Hello Everyone! I am turning 49 this year and have been struggling with RA for some time now. It is incredible to see so many RA sufferers here. When I first started MFP I did not see as many. My name is Pam and I was diagnosed when I was 30 after suffering for months thinking I broke a toe. When it quickly spread upward from there into both feet, ankles, knees and hips while crippling my hands in a matter of days I knew it was something else. I was so afraid and cried a lot. None of my friends understood my pain just walking or holding a heavy purse or grocery bags. They couldn't understand why I no longer wore rings on my fingers, wasn't interested in going out dancing with them at times or wore gloves so often to cover my ugly swollen knuckles and keep them from the biting cold that made things worse. That was nearly 20 years ago.
I originally joined MFP after gaining A LOT of weight from a high dose regimen of Prednisone to stop a severe flare that made it impossible to dress myself, let alone brush my own hair. After losing the first 15 lbs it was amazing how much easier everything became. Extra weight is NOT a good thing when suffering from RA. At least for me. I currently have it under control. I've been using Humira along with Azathioprine and Advil as needed.
Walking, Zumba (certain moves can still cause a flare in my knees) and bicycling are my choice cardio workouts. I used to use a Concept 2 Rower which was an incredible cardio workout (more burn in less time) but found myself building thighs, shoulders and pecs that were not very flattering on my frame. It was the key to my early weight loss. I surpassed my original goals and have maintained a good weight over the past 6+ months without MFP using the lessons I learned here. I have just returned to lose 5lbs again with the support of my friends.
I wish you all a healthy, happy new year. I hope to add some of you to my friend list.0 -
Hello my name is Bruce, i was diagnosed with Psoriatic arthritis 2 years ago, I hope i can join your group, there is no groups for Psoriatic arthritis. I was diagnosed after i returned from Afghanistan. I have been on Embrel for about a year now, my doctor told me i would get used to the shots, but i still have not. I have joined this group because i need the motivation to lose at least 20lbs. I put on a lot of wieght in the last 5 years of my life. I cant afford a gym membership, and i work 2 jobs to keep up, so my time is pretty limited to try to work out. I hope to hear from you all soon0
-
Hello my name is Bruce, i was diagnosed with Psoriatic arthritis 2 years ago, I hope i can join your group, there is no groups for Psoriatic arthritis. I was diagnosed after i returned from Afghanistan. I have been on Embrel for about a year now, my doctor told me i would get used to the shots, but i still have not. I have joined this group because i need the motivation to lose at least 20lbs. I put on a lot of wieght in the last 5 years of my life. I cant afford a gym membership, and i work 2 jobs to keep up, so my time is pretty limited to try to work out. I hope to hear from you all soon
Hi Bruce! There is a regular at the restaurant I work in who has PsA. He is on 10mg methotrexate, 50mg Enbrel and he takes Plaquenil and Sulfasalazine as well. A lot of meds, but he was at a point where he couldn't even walk and now, 10 years later, you would never know he had an AI disease.0 -
Hi, I'm Melinda, and yes, I've got RA, SLE, Fibro, herniated disk in my lower back, migraines, depression, seizures, etc. I'm a mess. :laugh:
Was diagnosed with JRA at 4 and will turn 46 this month so have been dealing with one thing or another most of my life. My attitude is "it's just life" and move on. Most of the time I'm pretty positive or laid back about things. Occasionally I do get down, but more likely, I get bored. I'm on disability. I used to work full time as a database administrator. Now, I can't even type very much due to the RA in my hands and wrists. I used to be a competitive swimmer in high school. I got married too young and gained a lot of weight from eating a lot of cheap crap. Well, now I can't work out very much and I need to lose quite a bit of weight. And I take a handful of pills every day.
I've decided that 2012 is the year that I'm finally going to clean up my diet and do what exercise I can. I can walk some without pain, I can swim a little, I can ride my bike short distances. So I'm starting slowly and will build up to what I can.
I'm glad there's a group on here where you all understand the pain, med side effects and all the other stuff that goes along with AI issues and weight. My hubby is great, but he only understands so much. Friend me if you want to. I'll friend you back. :happy:0 -
Hi, I'm Paula, 49 yrs old and a fully diagnosed, confirmed and medicated RA sufferer of about 4 plus years. My journey to diagnosis was a long process. I try not to focus on the disease and the movement it has robbed me of. The meds, the immobility etc probably caused me to gain a good 30 lbs, but the reality of it all was I didn't start my journey at a healthy weight. So here I am battling hard to win this war that I have never been successful at -now with additional challenges. Now after trying every med going, - Enbrel and Methotrexate injections weekly, plaquenil, etc. keep me at status quo. Have a standing date with my rheumatologist every 6 mos. I never know what the day will bring but pain and aggravation are a given.
I work full time, have 2 teens, a husband, cats and dogs.
I hope weight loss will help my feet, knees and every other joint in my body. I am determined and MFP has given me a confidence to do it this time.
It is nice to find and be able to talk to R.A. Ninjas and know you all understand.
I am available for 'friend' status and look forward to talking further.0 -
I am so glad to find this board! My name is Winnie and I will be 53 in a few weeks. I was diagnosed with RA 3 years ago this New Years eve. I'm on methotrexate 15 mg weekly and Humira injections every week. I am sooooo much better than I used to be but some days I just cry and others are pretty good. I have to watch what I do in a day or I will pay for it the next day. I do feel better after losing 60 pounds but I really want to tone up and it's hard to exercise. Looking forward to reading posts and getting to know all my fellow RA fighters.0
-
Hi - I'm Kathleen. I have had RA for 2 1/2 years and I am struggling with exercise and weight loss. When I was first diagnosed I lost t 20 + lbs, mostly because of marital stress and a decision to take care of myself. I've slowly put the weight back on and I've finally realized I HAVE TO DO SOMETHING. Exercise is getting more difficult because if I do too much of anything I hurt alot for two days. I don't feel like exercising in the morning because I'm so stiff but if I don't exercise in the morning, I typically don't get around to it. But....in the end they are all excuses and I have to find away around them. I'm hoping this program and some support will help me. I walked 2.5 miles on Saturday and Sunday and my hips hurt so badly Sunday afternoon I just had to sit down. I could barely do my grocery shopping . If I don't push myself, I generally don't hurt so exercise for me is like consciously stepping on tacks. I know it will feel better when I stop but it hurts to do it. I also have a very demanding profession and crazy hours, and still one child at home, and a very high maintainence, nonsupportive husband. These are all the variables that interfere with my stuggle to stay focused on myself and caring for me. I don't want to complain about this all the time. I just want to lay it out there. There are so many factors that interfere but I can't use them as excuses any more.,
Namaste and looking forward to hearing from your all0 -
Hi everyone,
My name is Paul, I am 36 years old and I have been suffering with excruciating pains since I was 14 years old. The pain started in my fingers and hands and as I got older I began to get pains and stiffness elsewhere. Doctors could not prove it was RA but they 'accepted' that it probably is considering my family history of it.
I hit my twenties and signed with a new Doctor who sent me for more tests. After many tests a specialist told me that I was making up the pains and just need to lose weight and stop bothering my Doctor. I never saw another Doctor until two weeks ago. I now have a new Doctor who has been kind so far and is investigating the pains I suffer without judging me.
My pain has got so bad that I need help getting out of bed because my fingers are often stuck stiff in one position when I wake, and I can also barely walk first thing in the morning. I wanted to lose weight but I couldn't exercise with my pains and this pushed me into a cycle that pushed me down. Then in July last year I found and joined MFP but kept my pains to myself initially.
I followed weight loss advice from other people and starting doing gentle exercises while walking more and adjusting my diet. I began to feel a little stronger and started doing an exercise DVD; very slowly at first.
I encountered this group and let out a "yippee!". Now - I have so far lost 28lbs. My pains are no different but I feel stronger and I am so determined to lose another 25lbs or so and to continue exercising and keeping myself moving. Four friends, after seeing my weight loss and my determination, have all started losing weight and working out too.0 -
hi my name is joanne, ive had ra since 2004, was put on methotraxate but the side effects were so bad had to come off it, the doctors tried other types of medication but had bad reactions to them all so am now on pain killers and anti inflammatories. At the moment im having a really bad flare up so finding it hard to exercise but need to lose weight, just got to get in the right frame of mind and stop eating chocolate lol. so glad to have found this group0
-
Hello! I've been diagnosed for 12 years...since I was 16 years old. I've been on MTX since diagnosis but have recently talked with my rheumy and decided to see how I do without meds. I have felt pretty good for the past 5-6 years at least. I don't know if what I feel now is RA or "normal" 29 year-old woman pain. ha! I have really changed my diet over the past 2 months and have felt the best I've felt in a long time and lost 10lbs (so far) as an added bonus. Glad to see a RA group!! 0
-
Hi my name is Jonna I am 46 years old and was diagnosed when I was 38. I joined MFP back in 2009 but really didnt use the site mainly used the weight ticker for another site I was on. Back in 2009 I had sucess with weight loss I lost 40 pounds but since then I have gained some of it back. On Dec. 27, 2011 I had mcp joint replacement in my right hand and have been on short term disability from work since then. Doctor said 3 months before I could go back to work. I go back to see him next week and I hope he will release me to return to work because just in these last 3 months I have gained almost 10 pounds. Well this past month I said enough is enough and I have been walking at the mall everyday for 3 miles and have lost 5 of those pounds. I have a very physical job I work in a warehouse picking orders for shipping lots of time on my feet and lots of lifting and bending. I have never let my RA limit me in what I want to do but I have to say some days are challenging.Looking for any suggestions on exercise thats easy on the joints.Hope everybody is having a great day! Thanks!0
-
I've had RA at least since I was about 5 - I've also got Ehlers-Danos III (hypermobility) - so most of my childhood was spent with various joints either in bandages due to dislocations and sprains or because they were just swollen up like footballs. Never had any medication for it until the last 7 years, but I am either allergic to everything or I can't stomach the meds. Been too chicken to try the more serious medications.
I've had enough of my steroid face and want to actually lose enough weight that they can't tell me it's being fat causing the pain, which some doctors and nurses, particularly, still say after all these years.
The only thing that actually reduces the pain fast is to not eat at all - I found this out from the Rheumatologist when I was about 17, but never was daft enough to do it.
But since I've been on MFP, I have noticed the swelling on the non weight bearing joints has gone down.
The only way I can continue with playing bass is developing the ability to compensate for when I can't move my hands so well, using two fingers to support the fret, for example, plus taking advantage of such things as pain killing medications or the odd drink. Sometimes I will finish a gig and down several shots one after another to get the pain gone (I have to be 100% to perform, it's my Number 1 rule).
I've been doing yoga for the last few weeks to try and undo some of the restriction in movement due to years of injury to hypermobile joints and to try and hold them in their proper place. But it's early days yet.0 -
Hello, I'm Nicole. I was diagnosed with RA in 2009 at age 33, much to my shock. I thought I had carpel tunnel syndrome. Turns out my inflammation was so bad it was cutting off the feeling to my hands. Right now I am doing ok, dealing with hand and foot pain nearly constantly. After 2 years of being denied by insurance due to pre existing conditions, I FINALLY got health insurance this month. I can not wait to go see a rheumatologist and get meds!0
-
I just found out about this group today. Have been using MFP since January, only been on the forums for a couple of weeks though. I have sever RA and have since I was 19 I am 37 now. I live in Australia and am currently doing okayish. My cocktail of drugs is doing what is should be I guess.
Oh and my name is Jackie.:flowerforyou:0 -
Hello I'm Tania. I have a rare form of RA called idiopathic chondrolysis. I was diagnosed at 10 years old after suddenly not being able to bear any weight n my left leg. It affected just my left hip joint at the time. Since then the condition has begun to affect my entire body including my lower back and knees. Over the years I have battled with my weight, but it has been difficult because working out is not as easy for me as it is for people without joint pain. I am starting a diet and exercise plan in order to attempt to slowly lose some weight making the pain on my joints less so I can live a more comfortable life. Any suggestions from fellow RA sufferers is much appreciated. I was looking into trying Osteo-Biflex to gain some kind of flexibility in my hip joint while trying to find a workout routine that does not leave me couch-ridden for days. Good luck to everyone on their endeavors!0
-
Hi, I'm Beth. I've had RA since I was 4/5 and I'm now 18. I've lost 1st 6lb so far but still have 3st 8lb to go! I'm on a lot of medication so I can cope with my pain but it's by no means easy! I hope everyone is doing well, good luck! x0
-
Hi I'm Claire, I'm 45 and was diagnosed with RA when I was 13. I have ups and downs, but weight has crept on me and I need to lose about 4 stone. I'm due to have an op on my foot later this year so know that it's crucial to lighten up a bit!
My biggest frustration is when I know that exercise would make all the difference but my body just can't do it.0 -
Hi -- I'm Helena (Harleene to those under the age of 4 who can't pronounce Helena). I was diagnosed with RA in December of 08. All the usual medications. Mostly I'm tired. Somedays I sleep 16 hrs a day. Yikes. Hoping the weight loss will help improve my energy level. Good to see so many fellow travelers on the journey -- my prayers are with you.0
-
My physical therapist said that if the pain increases while you are exercising, then it's time to alter what you are doing. I have found that to be very useful when doing my aquatic exercises. Usually the warm pool and movement bring some relief -- even if the relief is just knowing that I have done one good thing for myself that day. Hope this helps.0
-
Hi all, I've been a silent ninja for a while now but thought I'd best pop up and say hi! :-)
I'm Loops and I was pointed towards your group by a friend who has RA (and is a member of this group I believe), I actually have PsA (Psoriatic Arthritis) but hope I'll still be welcome as a fellow AAD sufferer! My PsA came on around the beginning of 2010, and I was diagnosed a year later. It currently affects most of the joints down my right hand side (shoulder, elbow, wrist, ring finger, thumb, hip, knee, foot) and my neck, tho my arm is the worst and I have very little movement in the elbow.
I also have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome which has made my weight a constant struggle, I lost 7 stone about 6 years ago, but it all crept back on again and a little more so this time I need to get it off and make it stick! At 35 I feel like a creaky old lady and hoping that losing the weight will make things easier on my joints and give me back more mobility... Oh and it'd be nice to fit into all the nice clothes in the loft that don't fit me anymore!! ;-)0 -
Hello everyone.
I've been on MFP for over a year, but after a month of unexplainable migratory joint pain, I was diagnosed last Monday with early Rheumatoid Arthritis. I've been put on Plaquenil, so hopefully that will work to help with things eventually.
I'm currently trying to get back to where I was before the RA diagnosis, I was working out at the gym by my office five days a week, but haven't worked out consistently for a month now.
So yeah, feel free to add me, I'm encouraged by the tone of support here.0 -
Hi I'm Susan,
I have had RA and osteo for 10 + years. On prednisone most of the time. Just had a reaction to orencia last week! Now what? I find it really difficult to exercise with our best friend, fatigue, balance issues and a back fusion last year. I used to do dressage and rode 3-5 days a week and had to stop about 7 years ago. I kept my Hanovarian as "yard art " until last summer. We moved back to Denver from a horse property in Texas and no acreage now. I couldn't stand the thought of him going back in a box so a friend adopted him and he's having a blast being worked and shown again! Miss him tons!
The things we lose with this disease!! Being overweight sure doesn't help! So today is day one of my reinvention! No longer a victim to RA and would love friends along the way!!!
Love the title!!!0 -
Hello everyone!
My name is Brittany, I'm 27 years old and was diagnosed with RA at 19. I also have a little sister who was diagnosed with it at 19 as well. I recently rejoined MFP once I started boot camp with a group of ladies to help keep me accountable.
In 2009, I broke my foot which then caused me to gain weight and of course make my RA worse. I have been struggling with losing weight the past few years (doesn't help my boyfriend is a rail and eats whatever he wants!) because of my bad knees. But now, I'm back on my meds, starting to eat healthy, and slowing working my way back up to hopefully running again. I miss it now that I can't do it.
My goal is to lose 70lbs and be able to wear a bikini next year! I also have my 10 year high school reunion next year that I would love to go to looking and feeling good.
I'm only a few days into tracking my calories and boy it is a wake up call! I've been walking and exercising for 2 weeks now. Although I don't have a scale I can feel it in my clothes.
Good luck to you all!0 -
Hello. I've been diagnosed for three years. I had a baby five months ago and am still struggling to control my pain as well as drop about 10-15 lbs. I am really looking for people who can commiserate and understand what it's like to have this and to live with it every day. I also have fibro and endometriosis, all which cause pain. Therefore, nearly every day I have pain from one of these conditions. It's become the new normal!
Anyways, I'd love to have group challenges because I need some motivation. Thank you and bless you all.0 -
Hi everyone, My name is Lisa, I am 46 years old Mother of two boys 27 & 22, Step-Mother of two more Boys 24 & 19 They have all kept me busy. For as long as I can remember I have always hurt! I would have little red dots on my legs after playing or running track in high school. From time to time I would go several days not being able to lift my arms or my back would feel like someone had hit me with a truck. I always figured I slept wrong, pulled something or just plane over did it. In March on 2011 after a long day with Family getting ready for bed I noticed I was seeing double and for the next hour it got wrost. Ok her is where you all know the routine. Next morning lets see my Ophthalmologist. This was the begining of the Prednisone. Right away he sent me straight to the ER:ohwell: now I am worried! Found nothing so now to the Neuro-Ophthalmologist. MRI's, CAT scans, MRI on my eyes (didnt even know they could do that) NOTHING but I still have double vison.
In July, I decided to start P90X with my oldest son. The next day I could not move anything. Each day it got alittle bit better. After about a week I went for a massage (to help loosen things up). Just made matters wrost!
. Went to my Family Dr
. She is WONDERFUL. Right away seh wanted to do blood work and got with my Neuro-Ophthalmologist. Together they agreed get her to a Rheumatologist. (The day this was desided: The Best of the Best Rheumatologist Office in my area had an Office Fire that was arson and a Firefighter was lost his life
Prayers are still accepted for his family. So they can't see new patients until Sept. First visit with all my blood work that my Family Dr had odered so that we could be ahead of visit 1 on my first visit was such a BIG help. That day I was given told "I would like for you to have three or four rounds of Citoxan which is chemo" I flipped out! :indifferent: My husband and I went home starting praying and talking about things. I did three rounds of chemo, three infusions of Steroids plus my daily does. Now I have gained 25 pounds:noway: After Christmas 2011 I am now on Methotrexate, Prednisone, Hydroxychoroquine, Humira, Tramadol oh and Lisinopril for High Blood! I now know that I am not a hypochondriac. I have RA and Vascultis ( they are still trying to figure out which of the Vascultis' that I have. Now I am up 45-50 pounds. Help, tell me it gets better and I can loose this weight! I want to be active and healthy. 0 -
Hi, I'm Paula and I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis on Wednesday. I was given a steroid jab at my appointment to take down the inflammation and started methotrexate on Friday. Apart from the obvious concerns about the disease I'm worried that the meds will make me gain weight as I've tried really hard to lose 45lbs since January. Nice to meet you all and so glad this group exists. Am I a ninja now?0
This discussion has been closed.