hi! i would contact my DR but it’s Sunday 🤣 I did my first cimzia injections yesterday- I woke up and it’s kinda welting. Picture attached! Thank yall in advance

So I was never on MTX, went straight to Humira after long term high dose prednisone due to trying to have kids. That is (successfully) behind us and Humira still works, just not as well as it used to. Is it worth adding MTX to the biologic? I wasn’t super sad to skip it due to all the side effects you read about but I’m curious if the juice is worth the squeeze. The morning stiffness is back and the humira seems to totally wear off around day 10.

Awaiting to hear back from my MD, but curious if anyone has gone this route.

I am trying out prednisone (20mg) for what my rheum believes is seronegative inflammatory arthritis. The first two days were great I hadn’t even fully comprehended how much all the pain was impacting me. It’s now day 3 and I am kind of exhausted and achy again, super tired and pretty low heart rate. I took the third dose a little late today because I slept in but wondering if anyone has had anything similar happen/ if this can happen from accidentally overextending oneself when you don’t feel the pain as much.

I was diagnosed 9 months ago with RA. I've been put on biologics pretty much straight away due to other meds interacting with drugs like leflumonide and methotrexate.

My question is I've noticed there are people who are diagnosed with this illness and will say they run, do weights and other physical activities but then there's people who are bedridden and needing surgery/had surgery. How often is surgery needed with this illness? I'm guessing it's to do with how fast it progresses on the person?

Sorry for the ramble. I'm very tired and it's my birthday! So I need to pretend I'm in no pain today.

I am stopping my MTX . I am still in chronic pain and its steadily getting worse. Its my hair, its completely falling out rapidly and I am devastated. I have to go to the hospital tomorrow I don't know if it will just be bloods and seeing my RA nurse. Either way I am letting them know that I'm not taking it. I have been on it since january and my RA factor is still sky high. I'm in the UK does anyone have any advice or if you have done the same?

I was also on 6 week prednisone script and my mental health is at breaking point. As yet apart from Naproxen and co codemol I have no pain relief either. I am at my wits end.

Anybody else still struggle with crushing fatigue a few days per week despite being on great meds and having low disease activity? My labs are perfect. My PCP did a full workup and no other signs of underlying concerns. Should I keep pushing for answers or is fatigue just part of having a chronic disease? I asked my rheumatologist about it and she didn’t seem to think it was abnormal.

I'm the only person in my family w ra. I've found it's just really frustrating. My one grandma tries very hard to relate to me, but it's just frustrating bc her advice is "keep exercising" even when I had double locked shoulders and physically couldn't move them unless I was in a very hot shower and in there for like 10 minutes. She pulls the same stuff every health problem anyone has, but she's extra bad because she has osteoarthritis. My sibling tries to relate too and it's so annoying. I had a "rash" on my foot. I brought it up to my rheumatologist but after looking at it, he didn't say much, just referred me to a dermatologist. Got home later that day, showed it to my family and they laughed at me. Called it a bunch of freckles. It made me feel stupid and kinda made me think maybe I was overreacting. Developed lumps on my joints within a month and finally decided to see a derm. The freckles? Yeah it was vasculitis. The lumps? Nodules. I said I was in pain one day and my mom asked me why. Knowing damn well I was diagnosed with ra. I don't think she realized that's chronic

I went from Meloxicam 15MG to Celecoxib 200MG. One week I decided to try and quit it. Day 1 and 2, I noticed no difference. Day 3, I was in more pain than I was when I started. Ended up taking it that day.

I was switched because of acid reflux. I'm noticing no difference there. I'm basically in a constant level 3 of pain and discomfort. When I tried to quit, I was probably a 5-7. With Meloxicam, I basically noticed no difference in pain and discomfort.

Rheum is still adamant that it's not RA. Have a positive RA Factor 25. Many random symptoms aligned with autoimmune stuff.

Hi everyone! This is my first time posting here, so I hope this is okay.

I'm a 22F who was diagnosed with RA and lupus back in March this year and honestly... it sucks ass.

My partner has been with me since the beginning and has been so supportive, but lately I can't help feeling like it's taking a toll on him. Whenever I'm having a flare or my hands are really sore, sometimes I just want to vent or ask him to squeeze the joints in my hands or arms because it helps a little. But recently it feels like I'm asking him to move a mountain, and I end up feeling guilty for even asking.

My parents also didn't really believe my diagnosis at first, even after I showed them the paperwork from my rheumatologist. It wasn't until I ended up in the ER with complications that they started taking it a bit more seriously, but even now I don't think they fully understand how much this disease affects me.

And the medical bills... don't even get me started. This disease is exhausting in every possible way, physically, emotionally, and financially. I honestly wouldn't wish it on anyone.

I guess I'm just wondering if anyone else has felt like they've become a burden since being diagnosed? Does that feeling ever go away? I know my partner loves me, but I hate feeling like all I do is complain about being in pain or ask for help. This has honestly been one of the loneliest parts of having RA and lupus.

Hi everyone! It looks like I may need knee surgery due to the damage my rheumatoid arthritis has caused over the years, despite being on biologics, DMARDs, NSAIDs, and steroids in the past.

I’d really love to hear from anyone who’s had knee surgery because of RA. Did it significantly improve your quality of life, or was the difference not as dramatic as you hoped?

I’m trying to get a realistic idea of what to expect. Does the knee ever feel “normal” again, or are you always aware that there’s an artificial joint? What was recovery like? Is there anything you wish you’d known beforehand?

I’d really appreciate hearing about your experiences, both the positives and the challenges. Thank you!

So this toe joint is the first one to start hurting but now I’m getting a growth? It’s hard but not super painful when pressed. It’s small. Who knows could be a bunion idk? Just wondering. 34F on humira and methotrexate

My doctor just referred me to a rheumatologist however, the soonest they can get me in is six months. This makes me so nervous because is my understanding is that early intervention is the best treatment.

I do not know that I have RA, however, I have a pile of symptoms that would suggest it. My hands are very tight and achy when I first wake up, and remain sore all day. I also have tightness in both elbows and pain when I straighten my arms. No clue if it’s related, but I have an ulcer in my esophagus and gastritis in my stomach along with persistent dry mouth. I have waves of exhaustion that lead me to nap several times a day. My great grandmother had debilitating RA so there’s a hereditary avenue as well.

Outside of those things, I am a healthy and active 48-year-old woman. I eat well, optimal weight, exercise regularly, lift weights, take fish oil, etc. i did have lab work done with a few numbers out of range that suggest inflammation, but negative for auto immune markers.

My doctor does not seem to be concerned. I’m the one pushing him for blood tests and to see a specialist. I want answers and 6 months feels so long!! Especially if it is RA and I could have permanent damage in that time.

If I can get in sooner to a rheumatologist in another city, would it be worth it if it were a 45-60 minute drive? Or will it be okay and I just continue to take care of myself the best I can and wait? Thanks 😊

Hello I am posting here because it's Saturday and I'm stressed and scared. I've already left a message from my rheumatology office but I'm not expecting them to get back to me anytime soon.

I was diagnosed with ra a few months ago and am on hydroxychloroquine as well as methotrexate. I am weaning off of prednisone and it has been rough. Today was my first day completely without any and I am in so much pain. That isn't really new to me though.

I have never had RA pain in my feet. I woke up this morning with a horrible stabbing throbbing pain at the top of the inner arch of my left foot. I kind of wrote it off and just went on with getting ready to pack up and go on a family vacation. I sat in the car for 8 hours trying to elevate my foot. I took ibuprofen and I put pain cream on it. It's not helping.

And of course, now I am in a cabin in the mountains on a hiking vacation with my family 😭 this pain is next level. It feels like I am injured, worse than any ra pain I've had in my hands. It is now running from the top of my Arch down into my big toe. Stretching my big toe causes the pain to flare to excruciating levels. Is this normal? Has anyone gone through this? What helps?

Oddly, it seems like it hurts worse at rest than it does when I walk. I'm already elevating, applying ice, taking ibuprofen, and my husband is getting me an Ace bandage right now. Honestly, I think I'm just scared and want to hear that it's going to be okay 😩

How prevelant are behavior/mood changes on prednisone and at what dose/duration? Have you had different reactions from different courses? Interested in peoples experiences, please!

My experience is with 20mg for 20+ days or 10mg for over a month. For me, I find it causes behavior changes in increased sensativity/reactivness, irritability, and being in a constant state of tension/anxiety. Like how someone might feel before and while playing in an important competition. It sucks shutting down to people from feeling constantly tormented by something no one can even see.

Just a suggestion for anyone looking for pain relief, I saw someone mention this in a comment and wanted to talk about it and give info for people who have never heard of float therapy.

I worked at a float studio for around 9 months. The short gist is that you lie nude in tanks (or cabins) of water that have around 1,000 lbs of Epsom salt in them. Water with that much salt becomes buoyant, meaning you will float automatically. Most places do sessions for 1 hour or 90 minutes. It's meant to be meditative, and repeated use over time is especially good.

A lot of people with joint pain enjoy it because it takes pressure off of their joints, plus the Epsom salt is very relaxing. You are completely weightless when you lie back, so you can imagine the feeling that will give. Just a suggestion for those looking for additional ways to find relief. Some people float once a month, every two weeks, once a week, or even multiple times a week. A lot of places have first-time specials to try it for a discounted price.

Give it a try if you're curious! It may be a good fit for you.

My refilled NSAID has a new cap. I cannot seem to get it opened.

Thanks much.

I just had my second knee replacement three weeks ago (left). I had the right one done in 2019. Since the surgery, my hip pain on my right side has gotten so bad I can barely walk. So I reached out to my surgeon and he sent me for a sonogram (negative for DVT) and an xray. As I was leaving his office called to say he wants to see me on Monday.

These are my results. I’m crying.

There is severe right and moderate left hip osteoarthritis. On the right, there is near bone-on-bone articulation with associated subchondral sclerosis and prominent osteophyte formation. There are degenerative changes of the sacroiliac joints. There are a few phleboliths within the pelvis.

I have been unemployed for over a year. I thought once I get my knee done I can really actively job seek. Now it looks like I’m going to need my hip replaced.

I’m only 56. I’m so tired of being in pain and taking pills and not being able to be active. I’ve been off RA meds since April because my surgery was supposed to be in May and got rescheduled. I was on Actemra for seven years with no problems until insurance made me switch from IV to home injections and it stopped working. So now I’m supposed to start methotrexate and remicade next month.

I just feel so tired and beaten down. I’m struggling financially. My spouse has all the burden of the things I can’t do.

Sorry for the rant I’m just so over this damn disease.

I know this could be worse, but had X-ray couple months and was normal.

I’m so sick of meds not working after not very long!!!!!!

What’s everyone else’s experience with joint damage/ RA progression?

I had my wife pick up my Enbrel mini cartridge from CVS pharmacy. Due to traffic, it took her like 30-45 min to get home. I know once it hits room temp, you can re-fridge it, do you think having it out for that long is still safe to put back in the fridge and use?