Rheumatoid Arthritis

[Scarlett]

My friend's wife has just been diagnosed with this at 36. I understand what the disease is and does, but does anyone out there have first-hand knowledge of it? How does it affect their life?

[campbellking]

My Mum has this and has had it since she was eight. It's an autoimmune disease where the body basically turns on itself. I work in the health profession, and have to say that people are affected very differently, some will acquire joint deformities very quickly, and others will not have too many problems. Mum had her first hip replacement at 36, and her second at 38 (surgeons don't generally like operating on people under 65 due to the predicted need for surgical revisions). Mum is now 65, and doesn't walk very well, and may shortly require a knee replacement. She does get tired very quickly due to the extra effort involved in walking, and she can't do stairs as she's not flexible enough. Often patients will benefit from hydrotherapy to maintain joint ranges, and non-surgical treatment has evolved some way since Mum's original diagnosis.

[kazza12345]

i was diagnosed with severe erosive ra when i was 24 and have had lots of different treatments. I had a hip replacement 10 weeks ago (hence why i'm here so much at the moment!) and im now 32
I work full time (although sometimes it is a struggle) sometimes i have to use a wheelchair, sometimes sticks, but not often there are lots of things i cant do due to joint pain and fatigue, but on the other hand there are still lots of things i can do! I think as said above everyone is different - for example, she may only have it in one jopint, whereas others have it in every koint. Do you think she'd want to email me?

[shaneystar2]

I was diagnosed with this at the age of 50.It 's a funny thing and in some people it burns itself out after a while and in others it turns in on itself and gets worse.It's an autoimmune disease.It can be controlled by drugs .As the previous posters have said it affects different people different ways.Mine more or less burnt itself out after a couple of years but left me with severe osteoarthritis.
It is horrible..you are tired and feel as if your whole body is on fire ..it attacks the joints (in my case the hips) and you just feel like cr*p.
I do sympathise with your friend and anyone else who has to suffer with this.
My mantra is ..keep moving .
Try and ride through the pain.
Look at your diet .
Drink plenty of water.
It does affect your life.
One day you feel OK and the next you feel awful and just want to lay about in bed.
I find the weather affects it. I dread the cold and damp.
Have a look here
http://www.arc.org.uk/default.htm