51 yr old man, kidney transplant recipient 2001, recently diagnosed with RA, which I swear was brought on by a tetanus shot as symptoms appeared about 7-10 days later.
anyway
looking for a good doc in NYC
Thanks
Matthew
8/30/09 1:19pm
Unfortunately, I don't know much about which doctors are good or not, but since you live in a large city, you have all kinds of choices. You may want to try the American College of Rheumatologists website to see a list of rheumatologists in your area and you can also check out RateMD to see how they are rated by patients. if you do look at RateMD, keep in mind that it is by no means an objective site and that people who are not happy are probably more likely to rate the doctor than the ones who are satisfied with their care, so take the ratings with a grain of salt.
9/ 4/09 11:34am
Complain all you want. My position has always been that your feelings are always valid within your own experience. It's not a competition - compared to a child starving to death in Darfur, I'm doing just fine. That doesn't mean I'm not hurting today and sometimes, soldiering on with a stiff upper lip just makes it worse. It can help to have somebody else know that you're having a crappy day.
RA can be triggered by a number of things e.g., surgery or a car accidentand possibly vaccination, as well, but according to the research I've read, only if you already have a predisposition to get the disease. I'm glad that your symptoms are more annoying than painful so far and hopefully, they won't progress much more. It may be due to you already being on an immunosuppressant, however, I would recommend that you have a chat with your rheumatologist and the doctor supervising you care from the kidney transplant before you play with the medication. To me, what you suggest sounds entirely reasonable, but it's always a good idea to run things by your doctor.
The young-looking bit is due to some excellent genes (I'm older than I look, but thanks for saying it). 
I've had RA since I was four, passed my 40-year anniversary with it a few years ago and you adapt. You learn to manage, you learn the triggers to bad days and the tricks that make them better. You might want to check out our area for the newly diagnosed - there's a bunch of posts in that section on the different aspects of living well with RA. And ask as many questions as you want or write a SharePost - we have a great community of very supportive members who will quickly make you feel at home.
8/26/09 1:51am
can ra be brought on my a tetanus shot? im curious becuase i had a cortizon shot in my foot for a pinched nerve, ever since my pains got worse and i got dianosed with ra after only like 5 doctors. good luck finding a doctor. dont deal with their bs. put your foot down, cause all they want to do is ignore you, and push pills so they make their quota. good luck
Kim
8/31/09 10:53am
Hello Kim
Yeah this sucks, I worked my whole life to keep myself in shape so I could somehow cheat the clock. I was feeling great right up until the Tetanus shot, now my hands ache and other stuff, like old injuries to my knee and elbow have all of a sudden cropped up. They want to give me Plaquenil, do you know anything about it?
thanks
Matthew
8/31/09 1:24pm
Yeah i know it sucks, trust me! At least you found this site, i find it to be helpful to speak to others, and feel not so alone with this disease. As for the Plaquenil, i have heard of it but i do not know much about it. i know it is considered a DMARD witch im sure youve heard before. Disease modifying antirheuthmatic drug. Its sapost to help the ra from getting worse and damaging joints. most people usually get put on Methotrexlate, which is what i take for now. good luck
Kim
8/31/09 1:48pm
Hey Kim,
Thanks for getting back to me.
I'm going to try the stuff and see what happens after a month or so.
In looking at your picture you seem so young, so sorry you have to put up with this crap. How bad is it for you?
Bye for now,
Matthew
8/31/09 8:34pm
Matthew,
You welcome for getting back to you, I try to get back to every one one here. I know it means alot when people get back to me, so i try and do the same. If your doctor does tell yah to take it, i think it is a good ideal to at least try it. I dont know about just trying it for a month though. I know the methotrexlate takes up to 5 months to really be working full gear (so im told). Im not sure if the meds you will be on are similar, or faster acting. Might just want to check with your doctor before trying some thing new or stopping the meds.As for my age, iam pretty young 21. Im sorry that i have to put up with this crap to. Im sorry any one has to. I would never wish it upon any one, ever. The most fustrating part is i keep wondering how i got it. Could i have done any thing different to prevent it? Im sure you ask your self the same type of questions. You asked how bad it is for me. It really just depends on the day. When the ra is acting up, its pretty bad. All my joints are effected but the worse ones are my right fingers (im right handed) and it also effects my right knee and hip. the knee is the worst becuase it swells up really bad, Ive had it drained twice now and two cortizone shots to help. It swells up so bad i can barley walk at times. Those are the days where im both physically and emotional weak. It really breaks a person down. How one day you can be perfectly fine. and the next a complelte diasater! Its mind boggling. On the days that i dont have much stiffness or pain, i want to just run around and be an active person. Im being put on differnt meds within the next month, so im really hoping my flare ups will be even more at a minimum. Well i hope youre doing well.
Kim
8/31/09 8:59pm
Hello again,
I totally understand what you are going thorough.
I stabbed myself in the hand in December, had to go to the ER, had it looked at and was on my way out after it was cleaned and bandaged, they pulled me back in to give me a tetanus shot, which I really was against, but he insisted, after that it's been like you, my left elbow was swollen for two months, my left hand especially the pointer, which clicks when I move it and locks which is painful, knees and hips. By the way for my left knee I got a cortisone shot followed by an injection they call a cocktail; cortisone and hyalronic acid and let me tell you it has made a world of difference, there is no pain in my left knee at all. Tell your ortho about it.
Be well,
Matthew
8/30/09 1:26pm
p.s. You may consider interviewing a handful of doctors to help you find one you can click with - you and your doctor will be on the team to fight your RA, so it's important to find someone that you can work well with. For a list of things to look for in a good rheumatologist, click here.
9/ 4/09 10:47pm
Lene
weird experience today. Went for a second opinion to a guy I just found in my insurance directory and he said he was not convinced I have RA just because I registered a 27 on the RA factor blood test doesn't mean I have it for sure, or at least that what he says, I mean my elbows and fingers blow up for no reason and my hips stll can get pretty cranky at times, maybe its just life catching up a little [I had a very active life]
well good night and by the way whatever it is you do keep doing it cause no way you look your age!
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Hello,
Thanks for getting back to me.
I know you know this whole thing sucks, though I guess I can't complain or shouldn't complain as much as others. It came along so unexpectedly and I'm certain it was triggered by the Tetanus shot. Anyhow the stiffness is more annoying than painful at this point, it's the thought of this stuff breaking down inside me that bugged me for a while, especially that I have worked hard to keep fit and have a younger looking body and was kind of proud of it, I was religious with my daily dumbell routine and other stuff including supplementation, maybe that has helped to slow the onset, who knows?
I had a kidney transplant 8 years ago and I take an immuno-suppressent already, I was thinking to slightly increase the dose on that to help slow down the progression, plus they have prescribed Plaquinol 200mg, I think I'll just start with 100mg and see if the two can help make progress.
Thanks again and by the way how are you?
You look so young to have this, how do you manage?
Matthew