can you tell me what it is? what causes it? what are the symptoms? how is it treated?
2006-09-11 18:50:54 · 3 answers · asked by jit bag 4 in Health ➔ Women's Health
It's an auto-immune disease where a "glitch" causes the immune system to attack your own joints causing inflammation, throbbing and stiffness. A blood test will confirm if you have it. There is no cure, only treatment. I've had it now for 5 yrs. Symptoms were stiff and swollen joints, severe burning and throbbing in the joints (mine was in my knees and shoulders). It usually starts in one joint but it's symetrical (If it starts in one joint it will start in the other also). The bad part of it was the flare-ups in my shoulders. The burning, throbbing and stiffness was almost unbearable. Once I started treatment the flare-ups ceased. I take Chemotherapy (Methotrexate) one time per week and a twice daily dose of Plaquinel and Sulfasalazine. Don't be shook up about the chemotherapy. Methotrexate is a cancer drug but is used in low dosages to treat RA (less than 30mg/week). It may make you a little nauseous but it definitely will not make your hair fall out. There are other treatments called infusions but you'll have to talk to a doctor for that info. As for my hands, they're numb and stiff but I think I started the treatment soon enough to stop the deformity of the knuckles. It will definitely change your life like not being able to jump up and down on the bed anymore or rock climb, things like that. Besides, I'm 60 now and sleep on the floor anyway (I live Japan) and I'm not into rock climbing. But it's something you can live with. What you really need to do is seek help from a health care provider. Since RA is an auto-immune disease, you need to see a doctor who specializes in internal medicine or a Rheumatoidolgist. Maybe the link below will help. If you do have RA keep you chin up. There are support groups out there that can also help.
2006-09-11 20:07:18 · answer #1 · answered by PDB 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I just know I have it and my knuckles on my fingers are so out of shape that they look horrible. They just started looking deformed about 3 years ago and they are sore, and the knuckles catch on me. The doctor told me something was eating up the joint. I take Piroxicam to help the inflammation, glucosomine chondroitin, and calcium. I guess there is stronger medications out there, but they will really eat up your stomach. I also have it in my knees and they are very sore and hard to bend.
2006-09-11 18:56:09 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is arthritis of the rheumatoid
2006-09-11 18:52:55 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋