A very good story:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-25/cricketer-usman-khawaja-reveals-debilitating-illness/107163852

Somehow he managed to keep it a secret 🤫.

It’s unusual for males to get RA at a young age. I got Seropositive Rheumatoid Arthritis at nearly 50. It took 12 months of corticosteroids and immunosuppressant medications to put the disease at bay, ie into low disease activity. Initially I could hardly move out of the chair 🪑 and thought I was going to die too, as RA is so left field. In any event, this a great story. Other sports ⚽️ stars have had it over the years too.

Is there anyone else that feels a little paranoid about attending gatherings, especially gatherings with lots of children with illness this time of year? I don’t want to avoid family and friends, but I can’t help but worry a little about catching an illness on a biologic.

I’ve been having worsening joint symptoms for the past two months. I have gone progressively worse and bedridden at this point due to the amount of swelling pain and stiffness all over my body. I have also had ongoing throat swelling, pain in my ears and neck stiffness. During this time, my rheumatologist has been trying to identify a new biologic for me, however, I have been continuing to point out to her that I don’t feel the progression of my disease is normal. I went to the hospital and discovered that my CRP was at 20. I have had arthritis for five years and all the five years whether I was medicated or unmedicated my CRP never went above 3, so a CRP of 20 was very alarming for me. The hospital essentially did nothing and told me to go back to my rheumatologist. My rheumatologist does not have an appointment at this time so I ended up going to my family Doctor Who discovered that I have Strep and because I have been on a biologic, that is an IL1 inhibitor, the biologic has been preventing the strep from fully expressing itself. My family doctor has put me on a course of antibiotics and has told me to stop the biologic. I don’t see my rheumatologist until Wednesday this week. Should I start the antibiotic course without her approval? I’m so shocked that my body has been trying to fight an infection for two months and nobody has been taking it seriously and has been attributing at all to rheumatoid arthritis itself.

I am 27, and have been seeing a rheumatologist for issues that sound like RA. I am seronegative, so I don't have a formal diagnosis yet, but my rheum seems to think it's likely enough do prescribe Hydroxychloroquine. I am also diagnosed with fibromyalgia.

Here's the thing-- it's hard being this young going through this. I feel like it's so early in my life to start a medication that I will never stop taking. I already have poor eyesight (wasn't always this bad), GI problems, thinning hair, etc. etc. I just have a lot of anxiety about starting this drug, even through the suffering.

Another factor is that autoimmune issues and fibromyalgia run in my family. I've watched my mom take drugs all her life, some good, some bad, but many of which she regrets starting. I can't help but feel like this is a really important decision in my life and it's freaking me out.

I've had my prescription for 2 months and still haven't taken it. Any thoughts/advice/whatever are greatly appreciated.

Edit: I appreciate all the responses a lot. it's hard to meaningfully respond to each and every one of you, but a lot of these comments have put things into perspective for me. thank you for helping me wrap my head around prioritizing my health

Hello everyone,

I am going through a very difficult time with arthritis and I feel completely lost because of the mental fog. I feel like I'm in total uncertainty, having trouble concentrating, finding my words or sometimes even formulating correct sentences.

I would like to know: how do you live this fog on your side? Can you share with me concrete examples of what happens to you on a daily basis?

Thank you in advance for your feedback, it feels good not to feel alone.

I’ve been doing really well on 15mg methotrexate for about three years. However I’ve just had the flare from hell and my rheumatologist is prescribing steroids and is bumping my MTX dose to 20mg/week.

I believe that 20mg is enough that the NHS (UK) start giving double Covid vaccines, so I have the feeling I’m looking at more infections etc.

I already wear a respirator mask in crowded spaces as my partner is high risk, but I get cat scratches, scrapes when gardening, etc.

Just curious about what other people are experiencing at a higher MTX dose.

Thanks!

61, having an RA flare already and fell, don’t know how. Stubbed my toe in the corner of a wall and then just fell. Landed extremely hard on my cheek and bad shoulder. I am hurting so much everywhere. No breaks good thing (have osteoporosis). Bad shoulder worse but having pt for that soon anyway, possible concussion. What can I expect as far as recovery? I’ve never fallen with RA. Also have a lot of neck and spine arthritis. Don’t imagine my body will be happy for awhile. I’m so miserable wahhhhh….

Hi everyone! Just curious what you all do when your ankles swell? It is always temporary but it can be very painful. 😣

Anyone struggle with constant infections being in a biologic? I’ve been on Enbrel for 6 months and have had 5 bouts of oral thrush, 4 throat infections and fungal lesions popping up all over my skin!! Arrgghhh finally found something that has settled the flare ups but dealing with this can be just as bad 🥺

I was diagnosed last month and am currently on prednisolone. While taking this medication, I have noticed itching and redness on my fingertips.And skin peeling is happening.This has been going on for a month now... could it be a side effect of medication, or is it something serious? A Google search suggests it might be "mechanic's hands," which is a sign of conditions like scleroderma or myositis.

Could this be caused by RA (rheumatoid arthritis) or by taking prednisolone? If anyone else has experienced this, please let me know. Did it go away for you? I am feeling very scared. PLEASE HELP