@A myRAteam Member yeah I mean I agree with you. I guess what I need to hear from her is why she believes I have RA. And because she’s gone to school for it and has had tons of patients with it… I really do trust her. It’s just that she gave me a diagnosis with no clear reason as to why she thinks I have it… And that is what makes it really hard for me to accept. I don’t have an issue with actually having the disease, I know I have a disease I’ve known that for years and it’s actually really nice to have a diagnosis. I think the fact that I don’t know what criteria I meet… Coupled with the fact that I present differently than many other patients… Makes it too grey of an area for me. And there’s a good chance that she already knows all of the reasons why she knows I have RA… And she just hasn’t told me them. So I’m going to ask her to just please share with me how she came to my diagnosis and hopefully that will give me a lot more clarity and peace.

Mine started in my wrists, knees and hips...then my hands and feet..when I finally decided to see a doctor was after I was bed ridden for 3 days cause every time I tried to move it was the worst pain ever. I was hurting so bad I told my husband to start life insurance on me because I didn't know how much longer I could hold on ..but mine didn't start with hands and feet..it was everywhere else

I’ve had RA so many years. I remember starting out as a child having leg aches, migraines and being unable to run like other children. I just couldn’t run fast, only slow. Then as a preteen I had ridges starting in my fingernails and my nails were thin, easily broken and I had to keep them short because they grew funny. I thought they were so ugly that I didn’t want anyone to see them. When I was in my young teens I seemed to be better. But as I got older the migraines came back with vengeance and by 26 I couldn’t get up out of a sitting position without terrific pain in my lower back and hip. Then I started having finger pain. My wrists and fingers hurt to the point of tears. Then came my shoulders and neck which got so bad I couldn’t move my right arm and had to have a shoulder replacement. It started to work it’s way down my body, knees, ankles and toes and feet. Pain that was so disabling. But this went on for 50 years. I’m 71 now and there’s something every day.
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I developed Osteochondritis after having a MRI where I had to lie facedown on the table. I put ice on it but it seems to be intermittent and has not gone away. My primary issue is my wrist and fingers which swell and hurt like hell if I do anything like garden, workout with light dumbbells... This disease has impacted my life and limited my sports activities I have added anti inflammatory supplements to my diet and am going to cut out red meat again. I juice a few times a week and take Apple cider Vinegar every morning. I need to try to meditate which is so difficult. I listen to inspirational audio books and Podcasts Especially enjoy Dr. Steven Gundry, Tony Robbins and Abraham (Esther) Hicks. You can search on You Tube and listen to them. I find these keep me calm and focused which really has helped