Sudden onset
It all started with an injury
The morning after I had injured my knee, I woke up -- unable to get out of bed. I felt sharp pain throughout my body - like pieces of glass, or knives. With help, I got out of bed, and a friend sent me to the ER. I stayed in the hospital for 3 days, and during that time I googled my symptoms. It sounded like RA symptoms. When I told the doctor, he agreed! He said it might be sudden onset Rheumatoid Arthritis. It was confirmed when I consulted with a rheumatologist. It can happen after a traumatic injury, such as a motorcycle accident or, as with me, a knee injury.
Which RA treatment? Make the most of your options
For a year, I was taking methotrexate which helped minimally. My rheumatologist was not helpful or proactive. She actually told me I'd be on methotrexate for the rest of my life, without telling me of other alternatives! COVID came, and I moved back to NYC, and luckily found a much better rheumatologist, who prescribed Humira in addition to the methotrexate I was already taking. He tweaked the prescription by replacing methotrexate with leflunomide, and now I'm almost pain free. If your treatment seems to not be making progress, search for a second opinion and/or a different rheumatologist!
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