try and stay positive.

Oh boy I cannot tell you how much your story resonates with me and, probably, many other of our site members here. I also could not find a biologic that worked, I also have spinal compression fractures due to high dosages of prednisone that pulled my spine out of whack due to an extremely distended belly, and my feet are also a mess, so I totally feel your pain, as it were! It is tough, but we did eventually find a biologic that worked for me even though it took almost 20 years. My doctor, bless him, never gave up and one of the last-ditch options worked. Now, I just am mainly trying to control the pain and repair the damage done with surgeries and procedures. Just remember, you are not alone! Let us know if there's anything we can do. Keep on keepin' on, DPM

Hi . My wife, Kelly Mack (a contributor here), has a very similar story to Dan's. Both diagnosed as young children, before modern treatments - with the damage to show for it (in Kelly's case 46 years ago). Like Dan, about 7 years ago she found a biologic that finally brought her inflammation numbers into the normal range. It may not seem like it now, but there is still hope - keep pressing your rheumatologist to try. As Dan said, this community is here for you. Best, Richard (Team Member)

just wanted to say ‘hi’ and I hear you. I also have spinal problems after years of steroids in childhood and teens then again in 30’s and 40’s. I now can no longer have steroids except as spinal injections into a nerve. I’m also unable to have any of the newer Anti-TNF drugs or Biologics due to other health conditions and a history of Sepsis - so anything that masks infection is too high a risk. So I’m limping along on DMards with not very good control of my RA. Steroids can cause some really nasty side effects such as osteopaenia and osteoporosis. I also lost my eyesight to steroid induced cataracts in both eyes in my early 40’s - thankfully I was able to have these removed by laser surgery and replacement lenses stitched in. So trying to not be on high doses/ or for as short a time as possible is important. I have a DEXA scan ( bone density) every 2-5 years to keep an eye on the osteopaenia. I have a spinal condition called spondylisthesis where some of the vertebrae have shifted out of alignment and the spinal cord becomes pinched. I feel for you with the spinal fractures as they are so painful - so far I have had L4/L5/S1 compression fractures and am developing problems in my C-spine with joint degeneration starting to fuse some of the vertebrae.
I’m glad that you have found this Forum and website - I have searched for and tried many but despite me not now living in the States I find it to be definitely the best in terms of patient experts, information and articles available plus the excellent Admin staff!
Keep on posting and let us know how you are doing😀
Trying to stay focused and have a positive mental attitude to life with RA definitely helps - as does time and coming to terms with your diagnosis, reaching acceptance over the years and having a constantly evolving ‘new normal’.
Cece x