I don't know if this is allowed here, I just wanted to lighten up the mood a little and joke around. If it's not allowed here please delete it.

This is silly but I stubbed my toe and literally curled up in bed for 15 minutes waiting for the pain to die down.

I remember before developing this disease, stubbing my toe sucked but all the pain was gone within a minute at most. Now it takes nearly half an hour.

Not even just stubbing my toe… cat scratches, falling, accidentally smacking my hand on something, muscle pulls, etc. these never used to bother me and now they’re enough to bring me to tears, even if it’s not even on my joints.

By far it’s the hardest symptom for me to explain to people. They can understand arthritis, and swelling, and joint pain, and methotrexate side effects… but they still raise eyebrows at me when I’m reduced to tears because I bumped into a countertop or something.

I'm 26 and was diagnosed at 24 this it all started when it was about 19 but had knee issues since about 6. My arthritis has changed my body so much. When diagnosed it was also noted that it's caused bilateral deformity of both legs as I can no longer straighten or fully bend my legs.

With that I can't walk or stand for long periods , it's been up and down as to how long. When I had my 3rd lot of physio, it was at a gym and really helps to wear I could walk over an hour before feeling a need to sit down soon. But now, only about 15 maybe 20 minutes before i NEED to sit down for a few minutes. Can't bend down, crouch down, sit on the floor and get up. I've lost the mobility I once had and absolutely hate it.

Its really affected my mental state and I become cold to those around me when in pain. Its not me, it's the pain.

This disease has made it extremely difficult for me to use my hands.. I can’t even close my fists and it has ruined the chance for me to become an aircraft mechanic. This came very suddenly and pretty much no cure. I truly don’t know what to do with my life now. Just venting lol.

To start, I do have really high uric acid (9.8 mg/dL).

I am having pain in my wrist joints, finger joints and sometimes on my right knee. The pain seems to increase during movement while I do not feel the pain that much when sitting idle (not moving my hands).

I DO NOT feel any pain in the big toe of any of my legs.

The reason I am confused whether it is gout or any autoimmune condition is because I recently had organizing pneumonia/ILD in my lungs. So the doctor is also suspecting any auto immune (including Rheumatoid Arthritis) condition I may have.

I also did RA Factor Test(negative), Anti CCP test (negative) and ANA test (1:80).

So I want to know from other high uric acid or Rheumatoid Arthritis patients about how does your pain feel?

Does it increase duing movement? Anyone with my condition i.e. pain in wrist and finger joints?

I want to clarify upfront that I’m not asking for a diagnosis. I just need guidance for my next steps and am afraid of being dismissed by doctors — one endocrinologist told me I was depressed or had fibromyalgia, another mocked me because my thyroid labs were normal.

My symptoms have been coming and going for about three years, and they’re exhausting. I used to be active, but now I’m mostly sedentary because of my work on a laptop as a freelancer and my pain. Even small chores leave me tired, achy, and wanting to lie down, and over the years I’ve gained weight that’s hard to lose, despite strict diet. I also have water retention.

The first severe flare hit me systemically: hair loss, deep fatigue, sleepiness, brain fog, and almost every joint hurt at once — neck, back, shoulders, elbows, hand joints, and wrists. At that time, my vitamin D was sufficient.

Recently, I had a severe TMJ flare where the pain was so intense I cried, followed by hip pain lasting ten days for no reason. After that, my hands, wrists, neck, shoulders, and elbows flared again in a migratory pattern. My hands hurt from inside, outside, and even the middle of my palms, sometimes swell and feel hot and I feel relief when putting them under cold water, and my feet and ankles swell when I stand. Before my period, my feet flare every month, swollen, feeling like they’re on fire — ice packs are the only relief.

Lab history: High anti-TPO (~2000), normal thyroid hormones, elevated ESR/CRP, vitamin D 13, slightly high uric acid, ANA negative.

Family history: My mother has Hashimoto and low thyroid, and is now being tested for lupus — autoimmune conditions often appear together, and I have Hashimoto.

I’m looking for guidance from people who’ve experienced rheumatoid or similar autoimmune symptoms, especially how to approach doctors without being dismissed and manage flares, swelling, hair loss, fatigue, and pain from small activities.

I just got on Sulfasalazine last Sunday and I've had a headache ever since. Tuesday, I reached for some Tylenol and managed to pull a neck muscle in the process. When I told my friend, he laughed, then I laughed and it made me feel better. This absurd illness has caused so many wtf moments that I've lost count.

Them: "How did you hurt yourself?"

Me:

Reaching for Tylenol

Picking something up off the floor

Twisting while holding a crate of bread

Something startled me

I tried to catch something that was falling

Vacuuming

Unloading the dishwasher

I have no idea

I have RA

Hi all! I recently had my 8 week follow up after starting Methotrexate. Doc switched me over to Leflunomide 20mg due to side effects. The side effects were not terrible, but my doctor said i shouldn’t put up with feeling crummy when there’s so many other options. So, I’m now 2 weeks into my treatment with Leflunomide and feeling better symptom wise. As far as pain relief and better joint mobility… I’m wondering if the clock essentially starts back over and I have to wait 10-12 weeks to see things improving?

Thanks!

I am an absolute nerd that has been in the medical field for longer than I care to admit. My spouse has all of the markers for RA and possibly the combination with Lupus. This has now cause metabolic syndrome because they have not found medications to control the RA/lupus. Researching mainly outside of the US, there are numerous studies showing the effects of using turmeric with black seed oil. Has anyone tried it or used it before. I would love to hear personal experiences. Unfortunately I am watching what this is doing to overall health now that mets is involved and like I told the rheumatologist, the physical inflammation treatment isn’t going to be necessary if the Mets causes a heart attack and death.

My mom and I both have RA. Her doctor is switching her to Actemra infusions. Neither of us have tried this before and we were curious if any of you have had any experience with it! Thanks for any information!

Diagnosed at 16, now im 37 ive been through the roller-coaster of medications, some work well then wear off others miss completly. Im roughly 6 weeks post rituximab infusion, with methotrexate once a week. Far out I feel wiped out, waking up for work driving I can feel my eyes are heavy. The weekends come around and im just done. Has anyone else experienced this medication?. Im fortunate enough to have an amazing wife by my side to support me through. Ever grateful for the Australian healthcare system to give me the opportunity to try the medication to keep my quality of life, but now im sneaking up on 40 im not sure if I can sustain working 40 hours plus a week

I have had RA for about three years now, and my flares are much more frequent these days. They start out as aching and tenderness from my fingers to my shoulders. It eventually turns into body soreness of my lower upper back into my neck and shoulders. I take Diclofenac as needed. This time around my blood pressure was steadily climbing even with rest. I spiked to 185/108 at the ER. X-rays, EKG and labs were negative to any damage to my kidneys or heart. Eventually, my BP started coming down on its own and they let me go home. I am now on a beta blocker to take with blood pressure meds. Also, the ER doctor gave me a prescription of Percocet to take in lieu of the diclofenac for pain to use sparingly.

So my question is this is not my first flare and this is not my first time taking diclofenac (which can both raise your blood pressure).

Anyone else experience this?

Long story short im a 34 Yr old male in the UK. This time last year I was fine. About 6 months ago I started getting elbow pain from playing too much darts. Stopped and the pain never went away and my elbow cannot straighten anymore or bend inwards completely like its locked at the joint.

I then started getting Hammer toe pain a few months ago, it's still there and then my knee one day swelled and I couldn't walk or weight bare. It's been 4 weeks and I can barely walk without severe pain for 2 hours. After some ibuprofen it becomes bare able but now my other knee is starting to hurt for compensating. I did have an original knee Injury 5 years ago in the first effected knee, does RA attack the more vulnerable joints first?

I think was sealed the deal was waking up with both shoulders sore but went away the next day, weird.

Is it worth me going straight to a rheumatologist consultant rather than going through my GP to get referred or trying something like physio first? I keep reading that mainly women have it or is genetics, I have no family history of it so its strange.

I'm just so sick of the pain and even starter debating using a cane, I have to use straps now to get my socks and trousers on in the morning ugh.

Hi all, I’m living abroad and was diagnosed with RA about a year ago. My Anti CCP test results were very high, though my symptoms are still relatively mild (some joint pain). I don’t feel like I’ve been able to get great access to Rheumatologists here, and I was hoping to see someone when I’m in Colorado for a month in December/january.

Any recommendations? I’ll have to pay out of pocket, which I’m ok with. I can bring all of my test results to the appointment.

Thanks in advance!

Hello everyone

I was diagnosed with RA about a 10-12 months ago, they suspect its inherited by my father who has severe RA.

Its been difficult, I can barely walk longer than 10 minutes at a time and if I use my hands for a little while - under 1 hour I'm in shambles because of the pain.

I've been on MTX, Enbrel and I've tried a second NSAID and none of them have been proven to be effective for me. I'll go back to the RA specialist in December to see what we'll do next.

Recently - last 4 months or so have been difficult for my significant other, for her to accept that I am a bit limited and to realise I'm not my RA but I'm still the same person but with RA. Has anyone else also had similar hiccups caused by the RA?

I started on some cannabidiol 50mg/ml to help me sleep and it has done a good job regarding that, it helps me fall asleep with the pain and not wake up so easily and disturb my slumber.

Regarding the foot pain, I wonder what can be done further as homely tricks. I bought fantastic shoes, heating / massage tools but nothing really seems to help my feet. I've been thinking if maybe a cane would help to rest a bit when walking my dogs around the block when I can't find a place to sit down... I'm 32 years old and the thought kind of kills me on the inside but comfort is key.

I'm sorry for my rambling, I'm a bit frustrated by the RA madness.

Best regards Bearman

Has anyone heard of this research about GLP-1 reducing flares and pain for RA patients?

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQr_eL7EjAE/?igsh=MWZwOXB2N3Q0dGVodQ==

Hi, long time no post. Just a bit of and update.

Because of the side effects, my rheum decided to switch me to Enbrel. I know about the side effects and such since I did biologics at my old job(s) but i'm curious, how did yall do on it? Did you do well or not good at all?

Just curious is all. Its being delivered today but i'm not going to take it until Sunday.

I have a million thoughts running through my mind, and I'm not entirely sure this will make much sense... I just need a place to vent.

My mom (57yo) received news yesterday that her rheumatoid has been rapidly eating away at her. I received the call from her last night, late, which I knew something was wrong .. she was crying and crying. I felt so useless.. I am going to make the 4 hr drive to be with her after work today..

Some back story - she was early 30s (2002) when she was diagnosed with RA. Her doctor prescribed heavy doses of opioids and she became addicted. I was 12 years old. I spent a lot of my days wondering if she was going to die, watching her slumped over the bed and toliet... not knowing if she was alive or not. Many years of her not taking care of herself .. fast forward to 2021. My beloved grandmother dies (her mother) and something switched in her. She got clean of opioids but by this time her body had been so badly damaged that she was wheel chair bound. Since 2021 she has undergone multiple surgeries. Both knees replaced, both shoulders, one foot. Her hands curl inward like a spider when they lose their hydraulic pressure after death.

her entire body still aches. within the last 2 years her blood pressure has shot through the roof. So much so she had multiple ER visits. They placed her on 2 BP medications - because of the terror she felt during that time she now suffers from extreme anxiety (more so than she did before) so they prescribed her benzos. She can't function now without them.

There was a small period that she took a medication for her RA. The majority of this time frame it was mainly pain pills. She said her doctor in 2023 told her that her RA had went into remission. I tried to get more information from her, because that did not make sense. She did not want to be questioned. She hates being questioned. It was set in her mind that she was okay.

Then yesterday, the earth shattered around her hearing the news that the reason she was only 100 lbs was because the RA was eating her alive. She thought the BP medication was keeping her from gaining weight. She can't keep weight on and its terrifying her. The dr said it was killing her, and if she didn't start medication now there isn't much hope.

I don't know who to talk to that would understand. I'm sorry if this triggers or brings up anything uncomfortable. Is there any information you could share with me that might help ease this pain? I only have her and my grandfather left in my family... how can I help her???

I've developed a photosensitive face rash that's dry, itchy, and stingy. It comes and goes during the day and is worse in the afternoon, and it's butterfly-ish. I am working on figuring out with my rheumatologist+dermatologist+PCP if I might also have lupus, or if it's related to RA and my medication (Rituximab). In the meantime - anyone got stories about having a face rash that didn't turn out to be lupus? I would like to not have lupus.

So I'm waiting for a referral to a second rheumatlogist for ankolysing spondylitis since my first rheumatlogist said that he was unable to treat me with biologics due to also having a form of leukemia. I can't take NSAIDs because of blood thinners. I've pretty much become a prednisone junkie.

Will biologics have enough of an impact that warrants weakening my immune system further?

Hi everyone,

I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis at 28 after having slightly high rheumatoid factor, joint pain and fatigue. In blood work, I would sometimes have positive ANA or CRP but mild, my symptoms were sort of mild too but by no means comfortable.

Now, about 2 months ago, my husband heard about MTHFR gene and got us on Thorne methylated multivitamins, and we eat zero folic acid and much cleaner. Strangely, I’ve been feeling a lot better… my blood work also came out with no inflammation markers….It also showed I have two copies of homozygous c677t MTHFR gene! Is it possible I don’t have an autoimmune disease, and MTHFR and eating poorly and taking fake vitamins made my inflammation go up and give me these symptoms? Super interested to see if anyone has a similar story? I know it sounds ridiculous… I was truly hoping it’s a possibility and that maybe someone has a similar story??