Rheumatoid Arthritis

I know somewhat what ur going through. I was diagnosed with a non discriptive connective tissue disorder back in dec. My dr couldn't help me find a solution to the pain or fatigue. I did my own research. I found out animal products can increase pain. I gave up animal products march 20. I occasionally have cheese for pizza and started juicing. The juicing helped with the fatigue. I also stopped eating a lot of processed foods. I feel a lot better. Pain is lessening. I was able to walk-run a mile for the first time in 5 months with out a ton of pain. If you want support you can add me as a friend. I'm knew to this and get depressed that I cant do my walking races right know. My goal is to get myself better to do a 10 miler in sept. no one understands the pain you go through. I'm here to be supportive if you want it.

Late to the game but I have RA and was diagnosed about two years ago (although I've been living with pain for years). And yeah, it SUCKS!!! I too was an athlete (swimmer, basketball, etc) but eventually the pain made it impossible to continue. Anyhow, what I can tell you is that it REALLY helps to find a great rheumatologist who can walk you through the many different medications. When you find the right balance of meds, you'll start being able to do stuff again and the swelling will go down. Sure, there will always be bad days, but hopefully those will be fewer. I'd also look into exercise that had less impact on the joints than running. Changes in diet can help but that is very dependent on you as a person. You could try eliminating food groups (like nightshade veggies) for a few weeks and see if that helps. The biggest diet thing that can help is cutting out processed food. Additionally, leafy greens , regular doses of fish oil, and increasing fruits and vegetables in your diet have been shown to decrease inflammation. Make sure you're getting regular blood tests to make sure you're not deficient in any other vitamins (I have to regularly take D vitamins bc the RA causes a deficiency for me).

I have it, but am lucky that it's fairly mild, and under decent control. My right hand swelled up a few years ago and I couldn't even make a fist. A large dose of steriods helped get that down, and now I'm on a low dose a few things that interact and keep it to a manageable level.

I don'r have RA, I have Lupus. The pain in my joints however are not from the Lupus but the damage caused by the steriods, avascular necrosis. I have chronic joint pain and swelling. I was working out pretty hard there for a minute despite the pain but have recently been thrown into a major tailspin. I've just decided that I should try water workouts to relieve some of the pressures from my knees and shoulders. I don't have any advice really, just wanted you to know I share your pain and I too REFUSE to let this condition sideline me. Nuh uh ain't gonna happen.

I'm 27 and was diagnosed with RA at 19. Meds have definitely helped up until the last couple years. The extra weight and lack of exercise definitely put a strain on my body (especially my knees). It got to the point this past December I could hardly walk. I was sick of feeling this way and getting oh poor me's from family every time I attempted to get up and/or walk. I was re-evaluated and upped my meds. My healthy lifestyle started in March. I started slowly by walking 20 minutes, then 30. Added some swimming. I joined a boot camp Monday nights with my mom but was very hesitant because I wasn't sure I'd be able to do a lot of it. The trainer was amazing! She knew of my RA beforehand and was able to show me different things I could do to strengthen my knees or alternatives if I couldn't do something. I started MFP in April and just started tracking my calories. It's now June, I'm 16 pounds lighter and I have been able to run again. I continue boot camp and LOVE it! I have gotten so much stronger. I can do a modified push up when before I couldn't because of bad elbows, among other things.

My advice is to first make sure you are on the correct meds to help control the pain and stop the disease from progressing. Then, when it comes to exercising, take it slow. Don't over do it or you'll be spending the next few days recovering. It sounds like you are very active already so you might just have to slow down a bit. Your body will tell you.

I haven't gone gluten free because I like bread and food way too much. I did cut out pop and try not to have a lot of acidic foods because that triggers my RA.

I'm feeling a lot better then I was months ago! Overall, keep on exercising because it does help RA. I can tell if I take a day or two off.

Oh and P.S. cortisone injections suck! I've had them numerous times in the knees. I just had them in my elbows a few weeks ago. I feel your pain!

Hi there ! I have lupus, RA, and hashimoto's according to my rheumy they are all connected. I've been on prednisone since the begining of my diagnosis of just having adult still's which is RA, pred is a godsend but the devil at the same time. I have cushings from being on it so long and on various levels . I would say try to stay on the lowest levels on pred as possible if you need to take it and make sure your on medications that really help. RA can make your life hard but I would say just keep pushing, don't push yourself too hard now as that causes flares and you will regret that but keep enjoying life! My flares can be anywhere from super mild to severe, not being able to get out of bed on my own. STRESS is one of my biggest flare causes, so I try to keep stress to a minimum ...yoga really helps me that . NSAID's can be your bestfriend, I miss them as you can't take them pregnant but they really keep the inflammation down and give me the ability to do more than I can without them.

I was diagnosed with RA two years ago this July, but I've been having symptoms since my late teens. (I'll be 29 in August.)

Ask for the anti-CCP test when you see the rheumy, if you didn't have it done in your initial bloodwork. It is the most specific diagnostic test for RA currently available. Co-morbidity (having more than one condition at once) is common with autoimmune disease.

I have taken prednisone, methotrexate, sulfasalazine, Plaquenil, and Enbrel. I'm currently in Enbrel only, but I have seen a huge decline in its effectiveness since I discontinued methotrexate. (I had been on it for about 12 months straight, 21 months on and off.) Do not be afraid of taking the meds...they sound scary, but RA isn't just about joint damage. It can affect your heart, lungs, nervous system, and anything that involves synovial fluid. It is important to treat it to prevent serious complications.

Despite being in flare right now, I have still been trying to run when I can. I've only gone twice in two weeks, but today I ran 3.4 miles in 37 minutes, so at least it's something! Other weeks I can get out 4 or 5 times in a week and run 2-3 miles each time, You can still work out with RA, you may just need to adjust what you're doing. I can lift if I keep workouts fairly short, I wear lifting gloves even for 10lbs dumbbells, but I am still able to lift. I have pain, swelling, and/or stiffness in my fingers, hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders, hips, ankles, and feet. I also have cervical spine issues that need to be investigated further, and I have neuropathy. Not saying this to scare you, just to let you know that you can still achieve some of your fitness goals while dealing with RA complications.

Go check out RAWarrior.com. It is a blog with tons and tons of resources, stories, etc. Johns Hopkins Arthritis online is also full of accurate basic information as far as symptoms, treatments, etc. Find a good rheumatologist and a supportive general practitioner, if you don't already have one. Friend me on here if you'd like, and find others with RA who can help you with support.