Concern about prognosis with positive RF factor and anti-CCP antibodies...I was diagnosed with RA at the age of 41, about 2.5 years ago. It came on aggressively and I was quite crippled for about 9 months. Luckily Enbrel got...reactions6repliesCopingDiagnosisTips & Advice
Rheumatoid Arthritis, Doctors, & the Portal...Doctors. When you have rheumatoid arthritis or, really, any chronic illness, doctors become a permanent part of your life – a phenomenon that happens with no other illness. No other...reactions18comments
paying for everyday tasks + first appointments...i am 21 years old and my ‘diagnosis’ (my PCP says she thinks it is RA, but I haven’t seen a rheum yet) is only a few months old, but...reactions16repliesSymptomsFlares & Flare Management
Cervical stenosis...I am 58 y.o. with RA. Several years ago I was diagnosed with cervical stenosis and have had to have 2 surgeries to fuse different discs. Has anyone else had...reactions3replies
The Irony in Managing RA...Sometimes, the suggestions for managing my rheumatoid arthritis symptoms feel ironic. My joints are screaming in pain and I don’t want to move? Oh, exercise can definitely help that! I’m...reactions11comments
Covid shot...I will start my story by saying I did get both the Covid shots. I am not going to get the third because of my reactions to the first shots...reactions3repliesBiologic MedicationAwareness
Still Slogging Along...Told you I’d be back! I recently wrote about fatigue, one of several rheumatoid disease (arthritis) symptoms. It runs with joint pain, chronic low fevers, and feeling puny - my...reactions25comments
Dressing Do's and Don'ts with RA, Part 2...So, let’s talk shoes. I truly think I have spent enough money on shoes and now possess enough shoes to open my own store at this point! For me, the key...reactions4comments
Taking the vaccine...I have progressive serpositive RA, Fibromyalgia, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, MTHR, Osteoarthritis, Osteopenia, leaky gut, chronic bronchitis and I have Doctors telling me I should take this vaccine. I would like to...reactions5repliesComorbiditiesHealthcare TeamTips & Advice
Declines in Accessibility 31 Years After the Americans with Disabilities Act...As I’ve largely stayed home during the pandemic, it’s been a constant worry: Will my communities be accessible when I return? Even before the pandemic, I had daily struggles with...reactions3comments
Anyone Experience Lung Problems?...Anyone can experience lung issues, but the risk is increased for those with RA. (Kelly writes about interstitial lung disease https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/?p=39645 for instance). If you've gone through challenges with your...reactions56repliesComorbiditiesSymptoms
Work From Home Environment and Adjusting for RA Pain...I have been lucky enough to work from home since long before the pandemic began. Due to my chronic illnesses, I have placed myself in industries and taken jobs that...reactions5comments
Heavy or Light? The Everyday Question of Hand Grip...My grip strength was always an issue with my rheumatoid arthritis. I remember when I started losing my grip and couldn’t grasp the holds on the climbing wall. I remember...reactions7comments
Tociluzumab/Actemra...My rheumatologist wanted to start Actemra infusions. She had other pts on it and thought I was a good fit. However we found that NONE is available for us autoimmune...reactions7replies
Hip abductor tear(bursitis) i guess ...Hey team..anyone had hip abductor tear related to RA. Ortho is having me get MRI. I think its bursitis..I'm so nervous between job issues. House and work lots going on...reactions4repliesSymptoms
Watching for Lung Issues...Without fail at every appointment with my rheumatologist, he asks if I have been coughing and listens to my lungs. Every couple of years, he orders chest x-rays to make...reactions13comments
My Third COVID Vaccine Dose Experience...Recently, a third COVID-19 vaccine dose was made available to immunocompromised individuals. You have to, of course, get the same brand of vaccine that is the same as your first...reactions8comments
Ongoing Saga, Hip Replacement...Hi all, so as I have stated previously I was seeing a surgeon on August 5th. She was very nice, but right to the point. She said it would be...reactions13comments
Flare ups: will movement set me back?...I had a severe flare up ten days ago, which has now gone down to mild swelling in multiple joints, but can't take steroids because it makes me go a...reactions8repliesCopingFlares & Flare ManagementTips & Advice
Anemia, Chronically Gone?...An amazing thing has happened, I've realized over the last year. Maybe I sound silly and superstitious, but I almost don't want to write about it, for fear my good...reactions2comments
