I really am in my mid-30’s. I really am a guy. I really do live with rheumatoid arthritis.
That said, a real superhero never reveals his true identity.
My rheumatoid arthritis started when I was in my 20’s, although I had no idea back then that I was dealing with rheumatoid arthritis. My heels hurt, my knees creaked, and I slowly began to realize that these and other symptoms became more prominent during winter. I thought this was the normal aging process and that my body was just a little more achy because of the cold weather. (Ahh, the innocence of youth.)
As soon as I reached my 30’s, my body went haywire. The pain never went away. I lost the use of my knees. During my odyssey from doctor to doctor, I stumbled upon a rheumatologist, who confirmed that I did indeed have rheumatoid arthritis. I really did not know much about rheumatoid arthritis up until the time I was diagnosed.
In the five year since my diagnosis, I have learned a lot about rheumatoid arthritis.
I learned what TENS means. I gained weight. I regained the use of my knees. I got on meds. I got off meds. I got back on meds. I started doing yoga. I lost a lot of weight. I started taking hot baths. I started sleeping with wool socks. I started taking lots of NSAIDs. I started having stomach problems. I got depressed. I started wearing ankle braces. I started wearing wrist braces. I got happy. I started meditating. I started writing positive affirmations. I started pacing myself through my day-to-day activities. I went into remission. I came out of remission. I had lots of flares. I started therapy. I started getting early joint damage. I started this blog.
Most importantly, I started to learn how to LIVE with rheumatoid arthritis.
I have no doubt that I still have a lot to learn. I wish to share some of my ups and downs as I continue my journey through chronic pain and debilitating inflammation. I hope to use humor to try to lighten the situation. To my fellow superheros, when your joints start signaling with pulsating pain and red inflammation, please know – Rheumatoid Arthritis Guy is there!
Hello~
I noticed that you have both a blog and DS profile (mine is aharmony) as well. Keep up the good work. And if you don’t mind I would like to add you to my blog roll?!
I’m slowly making my way through your posts and you seem like such a cool person! I really enjoy reading what you have to say
Hi Rheumatoid Arthritis guy! I just discovered your blog and I think you’re just what we all need. I can’t wait to read the rest!
Hi R-A-G,
Nice blog site! I was sitting here tonight after going to the rheumatologist today – blood, xray, medication etc… Thought that there must be others out there and what a great idea it would be to share what we have all learnt so far into our adventures and quest for relief! A quick search on google blogs and hey presto http://www.rheumatoidarthritisguy.com
Well done and thank you for sharing
Regards
Rog
Just happened to come across your site while searching for info. on my weird blood test results from my last visit to the rheumatologist. I was hit with “sudden onset RA” at the age of 60. I didn’t know what was happening to me…violent hand pain one night…to the point of swelling and the splitting open of several fingers, a neck that would no longer turn, knees that no longer supported me,..a living death. My hubby took me to the E.R., but they sent me home with some pain meds…not knowing what was happening to me. Oddly, it was my psychiatrist (I have had SEVERE panic disorder and SEVERE uni-polar depression since age 23 and am on two medications for that disorder) who took one look at my suddenly crooked hands and said..”You have RA!” and managed to get me in to see a rheumatologist immediately. I was started on Prednisone..which led to violent behavior and had to be cut immediately to just 5 mg. Then came Methotrexate..8 pills every Saturday. Still no relief, and I wore wrist spints to do what I could of housework. The pain was unbearable…months without sleeping because of pain. Finally came Enbrel..which did not work..then Humira! Humira is injected every two weeks by my hubby as I no longer have the strength to push the needle. It gave me my life back…sort of…for about a year..although my wrists had already been destroyed. Now, my blood work is suddenly coming back all screwed up, I now have high cholesterol and high triglycerides (no..not my diet) and all these weird infections..plus crying spells, no drive to do anything and a constant “dying feeling” which is hard to describe. Still..I keep pushing along as we live in a remote country area on 118 acres…raise all our own food, never go into a town except for medications and to see my doctor and rheumatologist, and HATE the city and noise. My hubby and I are country people without living relatives or friends. Family died many, many years ago, but I guess that happens as one ages. I am 62 (too YOUNG to die
( ) and my hubby is 79, but in excellent health. I’ve only worked at hard physical labor type jobs as well as player piano restoration, etc. Now because of my hands, I can no longer do this, nor can I work in my shop. I have trouble just getting the garden in, and my poor hubby now has to do the roto-tilling. Back to the point…I’m so upset over weird lab tests..even my routine pap smear from my regular doctor was abnormal for the FIRST time in my entire life. I don’t know what to do. Neither does my rheumatologist…Do I continue with Methotrexate and Humira? Or do I stop these drugs and become bed-ridden? At this moment, I wish it was just all over..except I haven’t any beliefs in a “hereafter” and know the “END” is “THE END”. My hubby just will not discuss it with me and “pretends” that I don’t have RA. Adult life has been hard for me..with Panic Disorder and Severe Depression at age 3, raising three step-children who are grown, married and long-gone, (I have none of my own), an accident in 1978 where I lost my entire right eye and lower half of my face (I had been a fashion model before my marriage 
( ), but still filled with HOPE that the latter years of my life would be healthy and happy. Then RA HIT!! I dealt with that mountain, too..all alone…as usual (aren’t we all..in reality?) But now…with the odd blood tests, constant tired feeling and intermittent dizziness, I’m having problems deciding just what to do. All the FIGHT I’ve always had to conquer each problem seems to have gone out of me. I wish I had someone to talk to who is dealing with the same problems as I am having trouble handling the fact that I MAY die soon..having lived a meaningless life. I am NOT clinically depressed right now, but just having problems coping. WHY isn’t there a COMPLETE CURE for RA NOW?? The rheumatologist told me the Humira would “cure” me, but heck..it’s a band-aid approach and now I have other health problems because of it. If I stop it, though, I will go back to the way I was. I do not have “friends” to help with housework, cooking, mowing, the farmwork, the garden, putting up our food, etc. and my hubby really relies on me. This is funny, but when I was terribly sick, he just stayed in bed, watched TV and complained he was hungry, needed a drink of water, etc. In a way, I guess, it FORCED me to move and use wrist splints and crawl on my knees to do things as I’ve always looked after him since his retirement. Before the RA, I built a THREE story addition on to our small home, too..with only minimal help from my husband. Physically, I was always a VERY STRONG lady for my size with tremendous strength. Now that’s gone….I was lucky to be able to finally complete my FIRST new kichen. Now it’s complete and gorgeous, but I feel I will die before I’ve used it very long. The bottom line is this…”I’M SCARED AS HELL!!!” I just wish there was a true cure for this disease. Oh well…”that which doesn’t kill us just makes us stronger”, I suppose.
Came across your site via Twitter… Haven’t had a proper look yet but certainly liking it so far!
I was diagnosed with stills disease aka juvenile idiopathic arthritis when I was 2. I’m now 34 and while its been in remission for 22 years, the damage was done to my joints so I’ve had various joint replacements.
Absolutely loving your alias…. especially as I should rename myself Bionic Woman! hehe
Keep up the good work!
Congratulations on your new website. Very well done. I learned about it from a message from Daily Strength website.
You are way too young to suffer from this insiduous disease. I am 62 and I am just starting to live with the pains, achiness and limitations of this disease! Every day is a challenge, that’s for sure. I just had knee replacement therapy and probably on my way to be a bionic woman also! The best part is the pain is gone from that knee, but the pac men seemed to have moved further down into my ankles now. If I did not know any better, I would think an alien has invaded by body and has moved on to another dwelling (my ankles)! There has to be something else coming down the pike that can quiet our immune systems down and not do so much damage to the rest of our bodies. I will be waiting for that day, as I am only taking NSAIDS and small amounts of pain killers.
Anyway I will be visiting your site often and I wish you long remissions and a painfree life! What more can I wish for you?
Best wishes,
Lenore from NJ
I think we might be related! I’m going to follow you on Twitter as I like your graphic a lot! Thanks for adding me to your blogroll, I’ll put you on mine! This is a great blog, I can tell you’ve put a lot of work into it!
I’m intrigued… the wool socks, what do they do!? And more importantly, do they work and should I get some??
Love your blog.
RAGuy – love your blog. Keep up the good work.
Catlady – read your comment and sorry you are so discouraged.Humira didn’t work for me but finding orencia much better. There are other drugs out there, you just have to find the right one for you.
Best wishes to everyone. We just have to keep on fighting!!!
Humira Enbrel Arava Methotrex -what? Its enough to make my head spin.(and my stomach nausiated) Orencia is better but we need a cure. Keep up the good work R-A-G. I find my story very similar to yours. Didn’t get diagnosed right away. Had pain all through my 20’s but thought it was cause I worked hard-diagnosed at 27 (every1 says too young for that of course), in my 30’s trying to find a way to live with this monster.
I just want to say: congratulations because you really have courage and believe in yourself. This new amazing way to meet with other people who have RA is incredible.
Never forget that the success in controlling the RA is based on three pillars. The first one is to follow the medications of the doctor. Second, do daily exercises to keep the normal function of the joints. And third the positive mental attitude.
YOU ARE A REAL SUPER HERO!!
your friend A. Gutiérrez
I was just diagnosed with RA last week and I’m only 30. Too bad I feel like I’m 90. I look forward to learning more.
Although not confirmed, my wife has RA. She will receive that confirmation upon visiting the rheumatologist in December. I’ve subscribed to this blog so I both educated myself and try to understand this life-trial my wife will be entering. Is there any input on how a spouse can help?
Hi I am 28 years old diagnosed with RA. In December 2008 my knees and feet got swollen. I was hospital for three days x-rays blood work and fluid taking out of me. Could not walk for three months not knowing what it was. She sent me to the arthritis doctor. The doctor did not want to touch me she thought I had aids. When all the blood work was done then she said it was ra. I would have it for the rest of my life. Now I have pain all over sometimes I can’t even move. I have four or more meds in the morning what else can I do. I am getting to know about the subject by buying books and going on the enternet for help. I get lots of support so thats to all.
Thanks to All sorry.
RA Guy….all us Ra-er’s need a Super Hero to look up to………..Thanx for this blog…..It make’s me laugh out loud!!!!! Staying tuned for more your mighty adventures…..:)
I’m 35 and was recently diagnosed with RA (although I tried to convince the rheumatologist otherwise!).
For several years I dismissed all the symptoms as nothing more than the stress of being a recently divorced single mother, trying to make ends meet as an administrative assistant by day and a piano instructor in my home studio by night (my own super-hero identity in the making?). Not once did I think my poor health was due to anything other than sheer exhaustion and stress.
So when the rheumatologist confirmed what my family doctor speculated, I was in shock. I went into denial. I tried to convince myself that I could be healthy if I just tried harder to manage the stress better and stuck to a strict diet/exercise plan.
In fact, I think I still am in denial at times: I’m struggling, stubborn, and stupefied.
I agree with others that a diagnosis of RA causes feelings of isolation due to the general population’s lack of knowledge about it (myself formerly included). I’ve always ‘burned the candle at both ends’ to take care of myself and my family, and admitting to myself that I cannot physically do something was/is very upsetting.
But reading your blog and the interactions with others with RA has helped immensely. I’ve laughed a lot, and laughter is the best medicine of all, right?
And now I have all the more reason to finally purchase a grand piano before the age of 40….it’s going to happen, and I’m going to play Chopin on it beautifully, with all my students on stage with me, and my two wonderful children at my side.
Thank you, and best wishes.
Hello
I was looking around for a web site where I could talk about my experience about RA. And I noticed your blog. I was diagnosed when I was 16 and I am now 26. I have never been in remission and I had a really bad flare around 19 where it went everywhere, it seemed like where ever there was a joint the arthritis was there. Your story confirms what I feel is going to happen to me when I turn 30, my body going haywire, but I do know my doctor is working hard to prevent that. You story sounds like my story that all. Keep blogging.
My story is very similar to yours. Although my symtoms started in my teens and i thought they had something to do with overweight. I was diagnosed six months ago. im 30 now. Dealing with this illness is hard sometimes… i had to quit my job because of the sress and the pain that was coming stronger than ever. thank you for being there. besos from Argentina
RA Guy~
I found your site through another RA blog I read and I have to admit, your comic strip made me laugh out loud. Actually, the first post I read was your mothers- beautiful and I couldn’t be more happy that I have a mom just like that. I’m 23 and I was diagnosed 6 months ago not only with RA but Fibromyalgia also. 23!! I’ve had many questions and found a lot of sites that I can visit for info and be in the “presence” of people in my situation but it’s your site and others that don’t let RA rule your life that bring light back into my eyes when I’m in one of those moods.
I was told to get blood drawn because my ankle had been swollen for a month.. told I was positive for it but my family doc (whom I’ve had for 20 years) had hope that it was a false positive. He tested me again.. it was not (darnable)! In March I went to my first Rheumy appt who did not believe that I had RA because I didn’t seem to have pain when he pressed here/there.. got tested yet again and definitely a positive. I am not as bad off (maybe advanced is better) as some of you and I’m still getting used to what a flare is- fact of the matter is though, I’ve not been pain free for 5 years!
Sorry I started to ramble- it’s just all very mind boggling.. I was already worried about having kids with my bad back let alone something like RA that can worsen at any time. *Sigh* Anyhow, blogs like yours remind me to keep my chin up and head in the game. I won’t give up and I’ll take my meds if it means someday I might be better off.
Anyone reading this- you can find me on Facebook, I’m a regular
Add me, I always appreciate more friends, especially those that understand a picture post of a weeks worth of pills! lol
Congratulations on your website. I’ve only been diagnosed since last September. I found great supportive material on rawarrior. Check it out. Now there are two great websites.
Hello there fellow fighter!
Nice to read your posts…I gave up full time work 2 years ago, no. not because of RA I was made redundant…but hey I started a cooking blog, something I should have done years ago, & I’ve met so many friends, I’m having a great time, cooking & eating & blogging, methinks maybe I shouldn’t eat all the foods I make, not all gluten free, but if I read everything I shouldn’t eat I’d be on a glass of water all day lol..keep up the good work x
Great blog site, RA Guy. I admire your attitude and determination to keep moving forward despite fighting a disease that throws sucker punches at any opportunity. Love that you’ve included yoga and meditation to your regimen of lifestyle reclamation. I am a former yoga and pilates instructor…had to give it up as a profession after my RA diagnosis three years ago. I continue to practice and also rely heavily on meditation to help me coexist with pain and acceptance of a disease I never saw coming. Good luck on your journey and be well.