So happy to have found this site!

I agree, RA, is really a pain to live with.  The crazy thing is when you tell someone you have arthritis they say, Oh I've got that too! They never seem to understand. But, I've had RA for about 18 years. Did well for several years on plaquenil and am now on Humira and Methotrexate(6X).  Overall I have had it a lot easier than most that I've seen on this blog.  A few years ago I tried to go the natural way and it like to have killed me.  After a year or so I finally got on Humira and a day later after taking the injection I could tell it was going to work. It has been about 17 months since then and I have been doing pretty good. I still have swelling from time to time, but seldom pain like I used to. I have only had to take Vicodin a few times since starting and it is usually after I have over worked or exercised.  I hope that even better affordable drugs will get on the market some day. Anyway, I hope you get to feeling better even though this response might be a bit dated. Danny

Hello! I am new to this site and let me tell you what a relief it is to talk with others feeling the same pains that I am.  I was diagnosed about 7 years ago through knee surgery. I had major swelling in my left knee and horrible pain (I couldn't even get off of the floor without help); my doctors didn't know what was wrong, so the performed arthoscopic knee surgery to see what was going on in there. A large amount of dead tissue that was taken out of my knee was tested and it showed RA.

I took steroids and anti-inflammatories for about a year, then my Rheumatologist gave me the best drug ever, Enbrel.  Within 8 weeks of this drug, I was feeling much better, walking better, and the fatigue dissipated greatly.  I took it for 1 year, then was told to go off of it. I was scared that the RA would come back, but luckily, it didn't. I stayed in remission for almost 2 years. 

About four months ago, I was involved in a bad car accident and the RA was back within days. I could tell as soon as I saw the lump on my knee, I was in for serious pain.  Over the course of these four months, the RA has spread through my left knee, right knee, and right elbow.  I have not been able to take any medications as my husband and I are trying to have children. 

I keep hoping and praying that I will be pregnant soon as everyone tells me the RA will go away once pregnant, but so far, I am in a lot of pain and tylenol is barely doing anything for me.

Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I know the pains you are going through as I am very sedentary at work. I try getting up once an hour to keep streched, but I am stiff as a board after sitting for only 5 minutes. I feel the same as you out in public - are people wondering what is wrong with me? Why can't that woman get up by herself?  But then I realize that I don't care what they think. Surround yourself with people who are supportive (family and close friends). They will help you deal with this.

My husband is incredibly supportive and knows that we will get through this hard time.