New to RA and had some questions
Hi all, i havent been diganosed with RA yet but theres nothing else it could be. I was a healthy 43 year old until now. Is there any natural ways you guys have found to fight/ suppress it? I just started doing ice baths and it suuucks. I dont want to take drugs unless there is no other choice…which its looking like i might have to. I have nodules on my feet but no where else. Pain does move all over my body but the knees are the worst. Anyway thanks in advance for the help
So good of you to join us. I am sorry you have this issue, it must be so frustrating. You ask if people make progress fighting RA without medication. The answer is yes and no. Do people succeed without medication the answer is yes. Are they successful? I suggest that it really depends on the amount of disease, pain and time one wants to invest.
I personally use biologic medication and have from the start. Others do not. If you have RA (other disease states can be similar but are different) so the first question is do I have RA? I will assume the answer is yes for now and tell you that it is likely that right off your doctor will tell you that if you have RA and your joints are being damaged with each passing day the disease is not brought under control.
RA is an autoimmune disease. Autoimmune diseases are among the most complicated to bring under control. Hence the reason to use strong immuno-suppressants . the doctor will likely suggest a DMARD to start and then likely she will discuss how she wishes to proceed.
My advice is to keep an open mind and listen to the doctor. If you disagree then talk it out. You did not say why you are so against using medications. But if you do not wish to be treated, you might have try a new doctor.
I wish you the best, I suspect others will comment. Please consider your options carefullyRight on thanks Rick. Ya lots to consider. Well i had chemo for trsticular cancer 5 years ago and im pretty sure it gave me RA. I figure i take any more meds to alter my dna it will probably kill me. I get there may not be any other choice so if it drugs or death than ya i would take drugs
we totally understand the discomfort of trying a new medication/treatment (especially when you've already been on so much). Hopefully your doctor will talk through all your options and you can find something that you feel comfortable with, and that brings you relief. Do you have an appointment with your doctor to figure out what's been causing your pain? Please reach out and let us know if you have other questions. We're here for you! -- Warmly, Christine (Team Member) 
Hi
. Autoimmune diseases usually lie dormant until your body is weakened enough that they can surface. So it could very well be that chemo triggered your RA. Some RA medications can increase the risk of cancer, so it would be wise to call your rheumatologist's attention to your medical history. There are treatments that are not associated with a cancer risk, like antibiotic treatment, but those treatments do not slow the progression. RA won't kill you, so no need to worry about death, but it can be very painful, cause cognitive issues and seriously limit your mobility if it progresses far or rapidly. You can't predict progression and neither can your doctors, so it would be a good idea to have regular supervision from your rheumatologist if you choose to treat the symptoms and not the progression. RA medications can take months to be fully effective, so you will want to consider taking them as soon as you notice progression if you choose that route. Some people have success treating their symptoms with dietary changes as well. They don't help everyone, but it's worth a try. Here is an article about RA treatments that includes a section about natural treatments: https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/treatment. I hope this helps and that you make the decision that is best for you and your circumstances. Best wishes! - Lori (Team Member)
Thanks guys for responding. A yellow jacket bit me right before this happened and i think it triggered it. Last year i got blood work done but my rhumatologist only ordered basic like RF but nothing stood out. For 6 months i have been fine until the last 3 weeks. Ill be going for more blood work tomorrow for whats its worth. Im also losing weight which isint goid. Have you guys experienced that?
Hi
. Weight loss is not a normal symptom of RA, so please be sure to mention it to your doctor. It is always possible you have a second autoimmune disorder as well. When you develop one, others tend to follow. Do you have a history of thyroid trouble? Please keep us posted if you don't mind. I will be thinking of you. - Lori (Team Member)
Hi Lori i read that the a huge increase of cytocines could cause weight loss i guess. Could i have multiple AI diseases? hell i hope not. No thyroid problems unless it is now. Ill keep you guys updated that way if someone elses goes through this type they will know
yes, please keep us posted. I hope that your doctor can give you some answers, and unfortunately, as Lori mentioned, often once a person develops one autoimmune condition it's not uncommon to develop another one (or two...). Hopefully that's not the situation for you, but it's always good to get things checked out, especially if you're experiencing multiple new symptoms. Wishing you a gentle evening. -- Warmly, Christine (Team Member)
