precipitating factors that induce Rheumatoid Arthritis

Katherine Curtis, Editor

10/19/07 11:51am

Dear Pamela,

Thanks for submitting a SharePost. This is an excellent question for our community.

I've pulled together some information that you may find helpful.

Risk factors for Rheumatoid Arthritis

More information on Sjogren's Syndrome, which is often associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Here is a forum discussion on family history of autoimmune diseases and RA.

Best,

Katherine

MAH

8/31/08 11:07am

HI. WAS JUST DIAGNOSED WITH RA. I TOO WONDERED WHAT TRIGGERED IT? PRIOR TO BEING DIAGNOSED I HAD SORE THROATS THAT WERE THOUGHT TO BE STREP, BUT WERE NEGATIVE. IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE SORE THROATS I HAD A 101 FEVER EVERY NIGHT FOR 4 CONSECUTIVE NIGHTS. FOR THE NEXT FEW WEEK I WAS EXHAUSTED AND COULD BARELY FUNCTION AT WORK. I WAS SO EXHAUSTED I THOUGHT I WOULD HAVE TO FIND A NEW JOB. ABOUT 3 WEEKS LATER I WOKE UP AND COULD NOT WALK. MY KNEES WOULD NOT STRAIGHTEN AND CONSTANTLY GAVE OUT ON ME. MY WRISTS HURT SO MUCH I COULD NOT OPEN A BOTTLE.

WAS REFERRED TO A RHEUMATOLOGIST WHO PUT ME ON PREDNISONE (10MG). I GOT INSTANT RELIEF FROM THE PREDNISONE. ON MY PART, I WENT VEGAN, STOPPED EATING NIGHT SHADE FAMILY VEGETABLES, STARTED WATER AEROBIC 3-4 TIMES A WEEK AND WILL START ACCUPUNCTURE THIS WEEK. MY ENERGY LEVEL NOW IS EVEN BETTER THAN IT WAS PRIOR TO GETTING SICK. I'M ALSO VISUALIZING THE LYMPHOCYTES NOT BEING ABLE TO RECOGNIZE MY HEALTHY CELLS THEREBY NOT ATTACKING THEM. LASTLY I AM GOING TO HEALING SERVICES/MASSES AND PRAYING FOR FULL RECOVERY.

WHAT DO I THINK TRIGGERED THE RA? I HAD BOTOX INJECTIONS TO REDUCE WRINKLES IN MY FOREHEAD 3 DAYS PRIOR TO THE SORE THROAT ONSET. WOULDN'T BE SUPRISED IF THE BOTOX (VENOM) DID NOT SET OFF AN IMMUNE RESPONSE CASCADE.

WHAT A PRICE TO PAY FOR VANITY.

Rona

8/ 4/09 11:46pm

I was diagnosed with RA at 50 and still don't have an answer when it comes to what triggered it. I had a foot drop years ago and they thought it might have been caused by a mild case of Epstein-Barr Syndrome. Others have told me there is no such thing as mild Epstein-Barr. I have always gotten sore throats easily, so I don't think that was a trigger.

I, also, have developed resistance to many RA meds after only a few months. Finally, I am in what appears to be remission after taking Rituxin. However, I still need to take cortisone to keep inflammation to a minimum. I have recently noticed muscle wasting in my calves. Does anyone else have this?

MAH

8/31/08 11:08am

HI. WAS JUST DIAGNOSED WITH RA. I TOO WONDERED WHAT TRIGGERED IT? PRIOR TO BEING DIAGNOSED I HAD SORE THROATS THAT WERE THOUGHT TO BE STREP, BUT WERE NEGATIVE. IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE SORE THROATS I HAD A 101 FEVER EVERY NIGHT FOR 4 CONSECUTIVE NIGHTS. FOR THE NEXT FEW WEEK I WAS EXHAUSTED AND COULD BARELY FUNCTION AT WORK. I WAS SO EXHAUSTED I THOUGHT I WOULD HAVE TO FIND A NEW JOB. ABOUT 3 WEEKS LATER I WOKE UP AND COULD NOT WALK. MY KNEES WOULD NOT STRAIGHTEN AND CONSTANTLY GAVE OUT ON ME. MY WRISTS HURT SO MUCH I COULD NOT OPEN A BOTTLE.

WAS REFERRED TO A RHEUMATOLOGIST WHO PUT ME ON PREDNISONE (10MG). I GOT INSTANT RELIEF FROM THE PREDNISONE. ON MY PART, I WENT VEGAN, STOPPED EATING NIGHT SHADE FAMILY VEGETABLES, STARTED WATER AEROBIC 3-4 TIMES A WEEK AND WILL START ACCUPUNCTURE THIS WEEK. MY ENERGY LEVEL NOW IS EVEN BETTER THAN IT WAS PRIOR TO GETTING SICK. I'M ALSO VISUALIZING THE LYMPHOCYTES NOT BEING ABLE TO RECOGNIZE MY HEALTHY CELLS THEREBY NOT ATTACKING THEM. LASTLY I AM GOING TO HEALING SERVICES/MASSES AND PRAYING FOR FULL RECOVERY.

WHAT DO I THINK TRIGGERED THE RA? I HAD BOTOX INJECTIONS TO REDUCE WRINKLES IN MY FOREHEAD 3 DAYS PRIOR TO THE SORE THROAT ONSET. WOULDN'T BE SUPRISED IF THE BOTOX (VENOM) DID NOT SET OFF AN IMMUNE RESPONSE CASCADE.

WHAT A PRICE TO PAY FOR VANITY.

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