Shortness of breath in a patient with RA can be related to a number of causes. Methotrexate can cause interstitial lung disease, the hallmarks of which are: shortness of breath, increased respiratory...
Yes, it's possible to have SLE and not Sjogren's, and the reverse is possible as well. It's possible to have both. There are some other labs like lupus anticoagulant, etc that a rheumatologist would...
Don is right. I don't know how long you have been on prednisone, but doseage reduction under 10 mg is usually done in one mg increments because of the risk of adrenal fatigue in steroid dependent...
Elevated anti-ssa (or anti-ro) and anti-ssb antibodies are anti-nuclear auto antibodies associated with several autoimmune diseases, most commonly with SLE (lupus). Your elevated CRP would also seem...
Stress is a well documented trigger for autoimmune disease, so it's not unsual be be diagnosed following a stressful event. Breast cancer followed by chemotherapy would certainly meet the criteria...
Martin, Like Don, I had terrible myalgias in the beginning. I resorted took tying ice bags to my wrists and knees sometimes while working, but definitely at home. It helped some, but overall there...
Peggy, Glad your infusion went well. Hope you are feeling better. Had to take off for Phoenix for a few days, my mom has ms and it's hard to live so far way. Anyhow. . I'm not sure about the hair. I...
Peggy, Hope your infusion goes well. Keep an eye on that itching around the ears. This and a "tickle in the back of the throat or sore throat" are often the first sign of reaction. If treated quickly...
Don, I had some hair loss with MTX as well. Not terrible but noticeable, but the weird thing is...I was born a platinum blonde with straight fine hair...now my hair is red and curly. Could be...
Fatigue is a big part of RA (or any autoimmune disease for that matter), but could be in part related to the Rituxan as well. As Don suggests, many people with RA also have anemia, Rituxan can worsen...
Delaying treatment can result in permanent joint damage, so I'd have to agree with Bad Day on this one. Mtx isn't so bad if you take your folic acid as ordered. I take 3mg of folic acid daily (except...
Cricoarytenoid arthritis (RA in the larynx) is actually quite a common finding and has been mentioned in medical literature since the late 1800s. It is a common post portem finding and estimated that...
I was an avid runner and martial artist before RA. I was diagnosed last May. While I can't say that I have been able to return to running or martial arts, I can walk the dogs and do an eliptical. I...
Bigmomma.... I feel your pain. My heart aches for you because this is a tough illness, not just on the individual who has bipolar disorder, but on the entire family. I usually post on the RA site,...
TammyRA, I was also afraid to start MTX in the beginning. Having been an oncology RN in the past (and a current ICU RN), my only experience with this medication was in giving as part of chemotherapy...
A slightly elevated RF factor doesn't necessarily mean that you have RA. I hope you do not. What other lab work have you had done? If your anti-CCP is elevated as well, then your odds of having RA...
Thanxu, I'm not sure that there is an easy way to tell for sure since both your recent surgery and RA could cause swelling in your feet. My first symptoms of RA were massive swelling of the feet and...
April, Thank you. That's very sweet. It is nice to know that I am not alone in many of these crazy symptoms. I really helps to see that others are experiencing some of the same things. I am sure that...
Like Chartreux, I can't tolerate alcohol much either. Seems to make the inflammation much worse, at least for me. A drink on Monday means trouble walking on Tuesday. My rheumatologist also said a...
5 mg of Prednisone is not very much. I think that I would go back and ask for a larger dose. Tell the doctor this isn't cutting it. I take 20mg a day. It took about 3 days to get some relief with...
Sciatic pain is usually a burning searing sensation that often (but not always) travels down the leg to the level of the knee or in some cases the foot. Sometimes it stays in the buttock, usually on...
Don, I still have some pain with the Prednisone, too, but it is way more tolerable than without it. I tried Ambien for the lack of sleep, but the craziness of my dreams was too much for me. My...
Bummer. I never had headaches before. I am hoping that they go away with time. I noticed the muscle weakness as well, but thought it was due to becoming deconditioned from not exercising like I use...
Just curious...how high are we talking on the B12? Have you any history of liver disease? Myleoproliferative disorders (disorders where the bone marrow produces too many cells...especially red blood...
Many of the side effects of Methotrexate can be alleviated (or lessened at least) by taking your folic acid as prescribed, as Chartreux mentioned. I usually take a larger dose the day before my...
Thanks, Kazbern. They are increasing my dose slowly as well. The first day I took it (only 500mg) I had the worst headache ever. I guess the goal is over 3000mg/day. I don't know if I will make that...
Tramadol is a synthetic opiate. This drug has Serotonin Norepinephrine reuptake inhibitory effects like many antidepressants as well. People who take SNRIs or SSRIs for depression or pain relief (or...
I just started taking Sulfasalazine a couple of weeks ago, and am curious if the terrible headaches will go away in time? Seems to help somewhat with the discomfort of RA, but I am not certain the...
I have trouble sleeping on doses higher than 20mg of Prednisone as well. Never had vivid dreams though, and I have been on doses as high as 60mg (short term). Like you, I can't seem to get below 20mg...
My maternal grandmother and great-grandmother both had RA. My mother has MS....
Lhowemt, It's true that allergy testing is in it's infancy, so I agree with you. It is also quite expensive. I too, have many friends that are healthcare professionals in this area, and have been a...
kmainmiami, This is exactly how my RA started out. I had massive knee pain and swelling, then a few weeks later...hands and feet. The knee pain was nothing short of horrific. Couldn't get out of a...
Kate M, I find that the worst of the effects of Mtx hit me the second day as well.Sometimes it can last a couple of days. I get nausea, fatigue, etc. I take my dose the first day that I am off work...
April, Still checking into the Reservatrol. Sorry for the delay. Had kind of a bad week. Not really feeling too well. Most of the studies that I have located were conducted with mice. There are very...
Glea, Hope this message finds you feeling a bit better. Agree with golitho that knowledge makes this illness somewhat easier to bear. Both my grandmother and great mother had RA and I too, wish that...
April, My husband is from the Midwest (Ohio) and I find it funny that he has never had a tick and I got one here in Washington. Lol. I got some crazy idea that I was gonna pull weeds in a bathing...
Mel, Yikes. That sounds really painful. You're right, I doubt anti-inflammatories will help you much. My dad is heading for TKR as well, but from OA not RA, so he's kind of in the same boat as you....
April, Wow. I cannot imagine having both RA and IBD. I know that there are many who do. I have taken care of patients with fulminant colitis, and it is a very scary thing. I don't know enough about...
Mel, Agree with the prior post that totally symmetrical tendonitis seems odd. Are your knees the only affected joints? Any pain in your hands or feet? Shoulders? Not saying that you have RA,...
Glea, So sorry to hear of your troubles. Stress is not helpful at all with RA. I believe that when God closes a door...somewhere he opens a window for us. We have but to find it. I hope you find that...
Rnme2tc, I have lots of friends that wear Alegrias. They love them. I have pretty high arches and seem to need the support of Danskos. They are heavy though, which is a bummer. I love the idea of...
Tony, Many of these medications can prevent permanent joint deformities, though, and I can only speak for myself...but permanent disability scares me way more than any drug out there. So for me I...
De La Rosa, Thanks very much. I cannot imagine having RA and inflammatory bowel disease. Tough combination. You must be very strong. Stacey...
Glea, I think that much of the research shows that if it is related to a biologic, then symptoms stop as soon as you stop the drug. I know that is easier said than done, especially when you finally...
April, I think that would be a very smart idea. Good luck, dear. I hope it is not cardiac, but you should get it checked out. The heaviness, shortness of breath, and fatigue are concerning symptoms....
Hang in there. Get treatment, if you are not already for RA. I found that Prednisone and Methotrexate really helped me get back on feet after diagnosis. A supportive husband is a godsend. I am so...
I found that the paleo diet (no grains, wheat, processed foods, sugars, etc) keeps my inflammatory markers in check. I don't smoke or drink. Alcohol really seems to increase swelling for me. I still...
I also swear by Danskso. I am an ICU nurse that works a 13 hour shift, often with no breaks or lunch, so I need something that allows me to be on my feet all night without killing me. These are...
Agree with De La Rosa, if you are taking biologics, you should call your Rheumatologist asap. Numbness, shock like sensations and tingling can be symptoms of MS. These were my mother's first...
Heart disease and risk of stroke are well recognized complications of RA, especially RA that is untreated. I agree with the others, and as a health care professional myself with RA (and former...