Okiekel :- Rheumatoid Arthritis Community -: Support Group

Hi ladywawk, I am so sorry that your needs photos for proof of your RA. It's like the...

Posted by Okiekel

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Reply: Methotrexate Side Effects

I guess I am one of the lucky ones?!?! I have been doing .5ml injections onece a week for...

Posted by Okiekel

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Any GUYS out there with RA??

Hey everyone, I am a 33yo male and was diagnosed with agressive RA 6 years ago. Since...

Posted by Okiekel

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Reply: Any GUYS out there with RA??

Hey Scabbydonkey, Thinking about now, in my early 20s was diagnosed with TMJ (don't know...

Posted by Okiekel

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Reply: Any GUYS out there with RA??

RAWarrior, Thanx!!!! I will check your friend's blog. I have been meaning to go to my...

Posted by Okiekel

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Reply: Do hormones affect flares?

I am not a peri-menopausal woman. In fact I am a male with RA. My RA doc noticed that my...

Posted by Okiekel

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Reply: arthritis new

I guess it is common place to amke you run around before diagnosed. It took me about 2...

Posted by Okiekel

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Reply: Rheumatoid Nodules on ankles ?

Sunray_125, I had them on the underside of my toes. Good thing though, my Rheummy said...

Posted by Okiekel

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Reply: When did you first notice symtoms of RA and what w...

Bijoubear, I feel your pain. Is your pain/stifness afecting the same joints on the...

Posted by Okiekel

Bijoubear,

I feel your pain. Is your pain/stifness afecting the same joints on the opposite side? If, you say yes...chances are you have RA. Don't be scared, talk with your primary and get a referral to a good Rheummy ( I like saying this better, thanx Diyster). Getting diagnosed early on is your best bet, that and having a good RA doctor.

A little backstory about me;
I seem to be a lone wolf when it comes to RA.....how is that you ask...I am a 34yo male and had many of the symptoms of someone who had RA for years when I was diagnosed 6 years ago. The first thing that alerted my primary were the development of small, under the skin bumps (RA nodules) on the underside of a majority of my toes and an extremely high white blood cell count. I had extreme morning and evening stiffness, my knees were swollen (Bursitus), extreme pain (to the point of tears) and the dreaded fatigue. I was referred to a Rheummy (who happened to be a quack) who confirmed my primary's suspicion. I had RA, and boy did the numbers show it. Numbers don't really matter that much when testing for RA, but my rF (rheumatoid factor) was around 1,400. I switched RA doctors two years ago and my new doc is....well he is my god send. He has done more in the last two years than my old one did in 4 years. However, we can not get my rF count to go below 700. It seems I doomed to forever have a case that is not responsive to meds. I am on Enbrel an Methotrexate injections along with some pills now. I am looking into the IV drug treatments now. And, I have to say....I am pretty scared about this avenue.

Are there any men with RA on here or chat groups centered around men? I really feel alone, as guys are not as likely to develope RA and I am the only one in my famly (that we know of) who has been diagnosed with it. I do have a really close girl-friend from high school who has RA and Lupus, so we lean on each other when it arises.

I wish you the best of luck, Bijoubear. Find the right doctor and start treatment ASAP. Thanks for reading my ramble, it feels good to talk about it with someone other than partner, fam and docs.

Peace Out,
KelView Thread

Posted byOkiekel

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