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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Arthritis / October 2005Hi all..
.. just been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Went to the docs with ever increasing pain all over my body, (symetrical), expected him to say it was Osteo arthritis, just like my moms got, but after the blood tests come back he says its Rheumatoid. He didnt say much at all about it, just that he would make me an appointment to see a rheumatologist, and in the meanwhile to take painkillers when needed. I have to wait another 3 weeks before I can see the rheumatologist. I do not have too much faith in my doctor so I googled the ailment. I am now frightened to death. Apparently I have a very serious disease, which is chronic. My lifespan is now shortened as a result of the drugs I will have to take for the rest of my life ( I am a 44 year old man). There is no cure. I will have to put up with some very serious pain. The best case scenario is if the disease goes into remission, which will give me some respite, but no one can tell how to put it into remission. I went to the chemist and asked him what the best drugs are to see me through until I get to see the rheumatologist, and he said to take 400mgs of Ibuprofen every 4 hours. Can I take paracetomol aswell? My pain seems to vary day by day, some days (especially nights) I can be almost in tears with the pain in my wrists especially, and other days I am not bad at all. I have always been an even tempered kind of chap, but these days if im having a good day (not in much pain) I am buzzing and feel on top of the world and really good about things, and on bad days ( i suppose understandably) I feel very down. I read that depression is a part of RA, is that because you are fed up with being in pain, or just a part of the disease? I am sorry if I seem to be feeling sorry for myself (I am!) because I would imagine that most of you have suffered for a lot of years, but I can not think of a better place to come for a bit of advice. Some questions I would like answers to if anyone has a minute. As diseases go, is RA on a par with diabetes for seriousness? Or is it a worse categorie? Is it true that RA is worse for men than women? The doc said that 44 was young to be suffering form RA, but google said it is quite usual. Who is right? Is it similar to Osteo or far worse? Is the shortened lifespan due to the body beating itself up, or as a result of the side effects of the medication? Is diet a major factor in pain control? ( I am convinced it would be, as I think it was my terrible diet that got me into this mess in the first place) Can I take paracetomol as well as anti-inflammitaries? I also now have a bad cold and cough (life sucks), but I cant be taking Beechams as well as everything else can I? Finally, I apologise for the length of this post, and the speling ; ), and for all my moaning. I'm not that bad really, i am usually quite upbeat about things, just want some pointers from the horses mouth (more apologies for calling you all a horses mouth) CHEERS Stuart > .. just been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Went to the docs with > ever increasing pain all over my body, (symetrical), expected him to say [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > not have too much faith in my doctor so I googled the ailment. > I am now frightened to death. I am sorry that it scared you so but respect sometimes comes from fear. If it makes you take the medicine that is going to be required,,, fear is a good thing. > Apparently I have a very serious disease, which is chronic. My lifespan > is now shortened as a result of the drugs I will have to take for the rest > of my life ( I am a 44 year old man). Sorry,,,, that is wrong thinking in that,,,,, it is the disease that shortens your life and if the medicine is not taken,,, it used to be that your life span is 15 years shorter. With todays medicine, I know that is not true. I came down with RA at 38 and started the control of my immune system when I was 45. I am 65 now and have not had any procedures done on my joints in a hospital and can still do most things that anyone else can. There is no cure. I will have to put up > with some very serious pain. You are correct. There is no cure and joint pain is something that I live with but it is not so bad that I have someone else paint my house or do my lawn, wash my cars,, ect. ect. The best case scenario is if the disease goes > into remission, which will give me some respite, but no one can tell how > to put it into remission. I went to the chemist and asked him what the > best drugs are to see me through until I get to see the rheumatologist, > and he said to take 400mgs of Ibuprofen every 4 hours. Can I take > paracetomol aswell? The druggest should of warned you about Ibu eating your insides up. Take with food and watch for blood in your stool. I like Naprosyn (Aleve) but it does the same thing as far as eating holes in your insides. > My pain seems to vary day by day, some days (especially nights) I can be > almost in tears with the pain in my wrists especially, and other days I am [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > of you have suffered for a lot of years, but I can not think of a better > place to come for a bit of advice. also,,, please read news:alt.support.arthritis also. I hope that you accept the fact that this is not going to go away and that when your immune system is controlled,,,, you can do well. It takes a positive attitude,,, a good Rheumatologist, and a little bit of luck that your RD finds which medicine works best for you quickly because we all react to these medicines a little bit differently. > Some questions I would like answers to if anyone has a minute. > As diseases go, is RA on a par with diabetes for seriousness? Or is it a > worse categorie? That is up to you,,,, either one can kill you if not controlled. > Is it true that RA is worse for men than women? IMO,,,,, it is worse for women because more of them come down with it. > The doc said that 44 was young to be suffering form RA, but google said it > is quite usual. Who is right? There is no right or wrong.... I was 38 and it made me retire early at 55. If they had Enbrel and Remicade back then,,,, I would still be working. > Is it similar to Osteo or far worse? Worse by far..... RA attacks the support structure for joints anywhere in your body. Voice box, ears, eyes, but the one that kills you is the vascular system. RA must be controlled and the sooner the better. Be afraid of the disease not the medicine. Respect the side effects of the medicine but fear the disease. > Is the shortened lifespan due to the body beating itself up, or as a > result of the side effects of the medication? 1000's of people die each year all over the word from different medicines eating a hole in there insides and we do not hear much about it.... Ibu, asprin, NSAIDs,,,,,, a good thing to talk to your doctor about and watch for. > Is diet a major factor in pain control? ( I am convinced it would be, as I > think it was my terrible diet that got me into this mess in the first > place) Diet is important for several reasons. Our support joints go much faster if we have too much weight. > Can I take paracetomol as well as anti-inflammitaries? A short answer is NO but your doctor will control that and the doctor must be kept informed if you take over the counter type products. > I also now have a bad cold and cough (life sucks), but I cant be taking > Beechams as well as everything else can I? No sure what that is but your doctor should make the call. > Finally, I apologise for the length of this post, and the speling ; ), and > for all my moaning. I'm not that bad really, i am usually quite upbeat > about things, just want some pointers from the horses mouth (more > apologies for calling you all a horses mouth) > CHEERS > Stuart Oooh, I have been called the other end many times. It has something to do with a persons point of view. LOLOL Please read the support group and the UK has an excellent support group. You are not alone with what is taking place and actually you are lucky to be living in this time period with this disease. When I started,,, all they had was gold shots, aspirin, and steroids to control RA. One of the most important things to do with this disease is to get up each day trying to make THIS day as good as you can make it. Accept what you have and do what you can to control it but be positive about tomorrow and it will be. Harv >> .. just been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Went to the docs with >> ever increasing pain all over my body, (symetrical), expected him to say [quoted text clipped - 123 lines] > what you can to control it but be positive about tomorrow and it will be. > Harv Hi Harvey, Thanks for the response and putting me straight on a few things. Its good to hear that you seem to have come through a lot of years with this and seem to coping very well. Hope my lucks good with my rheumatologist! Cheers Stuart Please be careful when taking ibuprofen. It is thought that it contributes to colitis, which I now have in addition to arthritis. I wish I had known this before I took so much ibuprofen for pain. Take care. I won't google Colitis, but i'm pretty sure its something I dont want. I am stopping the Ibuprofen from NOW and will take paracetomol only when its bad. Thanks, Stuart > Please be careful when taking ibuprofen. It is thought that it > contributes to colitis, which I now have in addition to arthritis. I > wish I had known this before I took so much ibuprofen for pain. > Take care. I have read the first few post. Now I have nerve enough to but in. I am 90 years young and never had any pain until a few weeks ago. I have pain in my ankles, thumbs, and one knee. I can't take any aspirin but take Tyanol for Ath. The pain is not so bad B/C It's just starting. I am healthy, active though I have other problems. ITP ( low platelets, ) the reason I can't take aspirin' It is in the 50. Sorry to say I am in my second childhood . I also have Tourette Syndrome. In the 20's I had St. Vitis Dance at 9. in 1979 the label was changed to TS.which came back in my 70's. I know this is more then you wanted to know. But then I tell it like it is.lol I haven't seen my Dr. yet So I don't know What I got. Fay May God bless you Fay.... Come to think of it,, God has already blessed you at your age. Please see you doctor as soon as you can. Some of the reasons for your kind of pain take awhile to fix and the sooner you get started on the problems the better you will be. Harv >I have read the first few post. Now I have nerve enough to but in. > [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > > Fay Thanks Harv for the blessing. I intend to see the Dr. soon. in the mean time Tylenol helps. Fay I got RA at 47 and at 69 am still functioning. True, I have had joint replacements but my damage was done before the advent of the new tumor necrosis medicines. If your rheumatologist suggests starting on one of them right away I would go for it as they seem to be only things to slow damage. Unfortunately they are expensive. You will have up and down days, and progress and problems with the disease vary with the person so don't automatically think the worse. I think every one is depressed when they find they have this but with treatment and time this will get better. Ibuprofen is known for its irritation of stomach and if you find this a problem you might want to try Aleve until you can get to see your rheumatologist. I don't think RA is worse for men, it just is worse for some people than others. One thing, you will have to learn to ignore people who have no idea what you feel like. I have had remarks like "don't be so lazy take the stairs" and "you shouldn't take that medicine it will do damage to stomach, etc." Their advice is very unimformed and in many cases pretty stupid. You may feel like clobbering them - join the crowd on that one. Also, be wary of the home-remedies and advertised concoctions; they are money-makers for the unscrupulous. I hope you do get your remission and will be looking forward to hearing what happens. PD > .. just been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Went to the docs with > ever increasing pain all over my body, (symetrical), expected him to say it [quoted text clipped - 45 lines] > CHEERS > Stuart Thanks for that PD, I will heed all your advice, and do feel better about things. cheers stuart >I got RA at 47 and at 69 am still functioning. True, I have had joint > replacements but my damage was done before the advent of the new tumor [quoted text clipped - 100 lines] >> CHEERS >> Stuart Hi Stuart First get a new doctor as you will have alot to do with them in the years to come. RA is a serious disease but manageable. It is no worse or better for men compared to women but women usually get it alot younger than men. my mum got it when she was 26 and i got it when i was 30. Your Rheumatologist will explain more to you but theres no need to panic as you have it for the rest of your life. Ibuprofen is best to take untill you see the Rhematologist as its an anti inflamitory which reduces swelling therefore your pain. Depression is part of the pain factor but look at it this way the pain your in now is nothing compared to what you will get in the future I know it sounds grim but its manageable. There are quite a few Celebrities that have RA and you wouldnt even know it and not because they can get anything better but are just in remission. but i do now one of them i cant remember his name (the old guy in snow dogs check out his hands) has never taken any heavy drugs but thats just stupid. The trick to living with RA is do what the Rhematologist says and do what your doing now look up stuff read books do what is right for you. Most people will not understand as its an invisable disease. meaning if you where in a wheel chair people can see you have a problem but RA well its not so easy. you will have good days and then some bad days but get into the meds and you can at least live happily. your life is not over just different. > .. just been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Went to the docs with > ever increasing pain all over my body, (symetrical), expected him to say [quoted text clipped - 46 lines] > CHEERS > Stuart thanks to, it all helps cheers stuart > Hi Stuart > First get a new doctor as you will have alot to do with them in the years [quoted text clipped - 67 lines] >> CHEERS >> Stuart Oh Stuart - you do sound fed up!! I'm 32 yrs old have have had RA for 2.5 years. I don't think you can take Paracetamol at the same time as Ibuprofen but I can certainly sympathise with you about the pain. There is indeed no cure - but it is fully controlable!! 18 months ago I could not even walk, move may arms, head or fingers!! Now my drug therapy is working and I have a full and active life, with minimal pain. Yes - my feet are swollen and sore - but hey, I can live with that!! Life expectancy is not reduced!! The internet can really scare monger people!! Have a look on these websites: http://www.arc.org.uk/ http://www.arthritiscare.org.uk |
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