Just wondering since it is a progressive disease with no cure.
4/23/09 10:05am
RA increases the risk of certain problems, and can shorten your life by adding cardiovascular risk (if you don't get treatment). The new biologic meds make quality of life better, and lower some of that risk, but apparently don't necessarily prolong your life. There's the increased risk of infection, but if one is careful, that helps. This may sound odd, but since I was diagnosed, I almost never 'take communion' wine from the cup, I dip instead. Every single time I have 'sipped' I have come down with a cold, and sometimes that leads to a sinus infection. So I change my habits and all is OK. For me, I'll take the improvement over the alternative of doing nothing! I saw what happened to my grandmother and aunt. By the way, they both passed away (in different years) at the ripe old age of 79, and that might be enough for me too!
4/23/09 8:39am
Hi,
My brother had very severe RA for 35 years but he continued working till the end. Arthritis will not kill you, but the years of medication and their side effects on the various organs may contribute to a lesser life expectancy than normal.
Iv'e been wondering the same thing myself and i have been panicking over all sorts of desperate scenarios, but in the end it's your approach to the illness that will have a bearing on your longevity. Medications now are much better enabling people to get much more out of life and continue to be active for longer. The pain may not go away but everything is relative to the sort of lifestyle you were accustomed to and how you lived before the diagnosis. I'm no expert but iv'e observed my brother over those years and it gave me insight into the pain and suffering involved and the sacrifices made to live a normal life. Keep active in what ever way you can for as long as you can. ger.
4/23/09 3:09pm
You must remember that RA just doesn't affect your joints. It can affect your organs, brain, tissues, muscles and everything in your body. Many people with RA die of Congestive heart failure due to kidneys not functioning properly and the organs just shutting down. Not necessarily from the drugs but from the disease itself. Lots of new studies. I just read a few and it seems that people who die don't know that their hearts and lungs have been compromised. It can be very sudden. Doctors look at the joints but they aren't doing a good job at looking at our organs and seeing how they are being affected. This is what the newest study was saying. It was in the newspaper last week. We need to ask the doctors to do a better check on our heart and lung function as well as our kidneys. These organs can take a big hit and fast.
9/13/10 11:16pm
Simply put - yes it can. I have RA and can no longer afford any medications. In the past year I have gone from an active lifestyle to a wheelchair. My eyesight has been affected greatly. My liver enzyme counts are dangerously low and my doctor is trying very hard to find me medication assistance. I have now developed the shakes and horrible memory fogs. The affects of medication can damage you but i'm here to tell you, that uncontrolled RA is a very painful experience and it can lead to complete organ failure...billcurtis119@yahoo.com
11/ 2/10 1:04pm
yes. I have it I am still on medicine I take 43 different tpyes and 3 different shots and it has hit all my organs and the doctors say I should have been died by now but I won't give up and I have my God he is way I am still here and until He is done with me I will stay here on earth but it is very painful but every morning when I wake up I say it s got to be a great day because I have another day My God is so Great maybe you may want to try Him. corkeythomas2006@yahoo.com
3/ 4/12 8:20am
Im just inquiring, your on all these meds and still in pain? How old are you may I ask? I have been going through this for about 6 years and they just keep adding meds and nothing seems to control it, I dont want to be a guinie pig, and Im only 37, Im thinking of going the all natural rooute, I figure what do I have to lose if people are on all these meds and still in pain anyway, ya know? huskycitro@hotmail.com
4/28/12 10:27am
Im just 39 and have it all my life..my knees failed me as a teen and I had a total left knee replacement at 34 and several joint surgeries since I was 20..Im currently on Enbrel and it isnt working..my next is Remicade and im hoping that works! not much is working on mine..Ive done the natural route up until 2 years ago...it doesnt work! I still work...You will always have some pain/stiffness no matter what..I say stay with whatever workds for you! Just dont let it go like I did for years and now have such swollen knuckles and elbows i cant use my right ring finger...just take care and work it out! good luck!
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By Vickie— Last Modified: 05/11/12, First Published: 04/22/09
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Simply put - yes it can. I have RA and can no longer afford any medications. In the past year I have gone from an active lifestyle to a wheelchair. My eyesight has been affected greatly. My liver enzyme counts are dangerously low and my doctor is trying very hard to find me medication assistance. I have now developed the shakes and horrible memory fogs.
The affects of medication can damage you but i'm here to tell you, that uncontrolled RA is a very painful experience and it can lead to complete organ failure...billcurtis119@yahoo.com