(taken from my blogs)

So.

I have Rheumatoid Arthritis. As well as Degenerative Discs Disease.

This morning I woke up and my hands were so swollen I couldn't make a fist. So, I had to be taken to the hospital yet again.

I'm now on Celebrex and Percocet pretty much permanently, and will likely have to go on prednisone.

The GOOD news, is that we caught it EARLY. Which means better control and hopefully slowing down the destructive processes on the joints.

The bad news is.. well, alot.

Prognosis

The course of the disease varies greatly. Some people have mild short-term symptoms, but in most the disease is progressive for life. Around 20%-30% will have subcutaneous nodules (known as rheumatoid nodules); this is associated with a poor prognosis.

[edit] Disability

* Daily living activities are impaired in most individuals.
* After 5 years of disease, approximately 33% of sufferers will not be working
* After 10 years, approximately half will have substantial functional disability.

[edit] Prognostic factors

Poor prognostic factors include persistent synovitis, early erosive disease, extra-articular findings (including subcutaneous rheumatoid nodules), positive serum RF findings, positive serum anti-CCP autoantibodies, carriership of HLA-DR4 "Shared Epitope" alleles, family history of RA, poor functional status, socioeconomic factors, elevated acute phase response (erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR], C-reactive protein [CRP]), and increased clinical severity.

[edit] Mortality

Estimates of the life-shortening effect of RA vary; most sources cite a lifespan reduction of 5 to 10 years. According to the UK's National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society, "Young age at onset, long disease duration, the concurrent presence of other health problems (called co-morbidity), and characteristics of severe RA – such as poor functional ability or overall health status, a lot of joint damage on x-rays, the need for hospitalisation or involvement of organs other than the joints – have been shown to associate with higher mortality".[26] Positive responses to treatment may indicate a better prognosis. A 2005 study by the Mayo Clinic noted that RA sufferers suffer a doubled risk of heart disease,[27] independent of other risk factors such as diabetes, alcohol abuse, and elevated cholesterol, blood pressure and body mass index. The mechanism by which RA causes this increased risk remains unknown; the presence of chronic inflammation has been proposed as a contributing factor.[28]

and heres what Im currently experiencing:

* Morning stiffness that lasts longer than 30 minutes.
* Pain in three or more joints at the same time.
* Pain in a joint all night long.
* Pain in the same joints on both sides of your body. This is called a symmetrical pattern.

and heres some info:

What is rheumatoid (room-a-toid) arthritis?

* RA is an autoimmune disease. This means that your immune system attacks other parts of your body.
* Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) causes redness, pain, swelling or a hot (or warm) feeling in the lining of a joint, the place where 2 or more bones come together.
* This redness, pain, swelling and heat around the joint is called inflammation.
* The inflammation may also affect other internal organs, such as the eyes, lungs, or heart.
* RA can affect any joint, but the most common places are the hands or feet.


I am managing well however and I refuse to let this break me. I WILL maintain my life as long as I possibly can, but inevitably at some point I WILL be physically disabled. This has given me a real zest for life - I am going to enjoy every little bit I can now.

Thanks to my friends for showing your support. It is muchly appreciated

oh and

RA, liver functioning at approx 25%

kidneys not functioning normally.

blood count WAY low.

No idea what this all means yet.... but if things dont get better after the med changes abd coninue to get worse....

I'm on the transplant list....

also might need a biopsy and or dialysis....

I am terrified right now.

[bebop]

hon I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. there are some good meds for RA. I had a student one time that had RA and was doing really good with it. try not to think of the prognosis right now. live as much as you can like you did prior to. I hope the meds help you very soon! (((hugs))) give my lil guy a big hug and kiss!

[(JD)]

Hang in there!

[mlpHolmes]

I'll be sending you googles of Prayers! That's 10 X 100!!
Your positive attitude is wonderful. You go Girl!! I'll be sending you plenty of prayers, & hope. Miracles happen!

[Fuzzybear]

Thanks everyone.

Im exhausted, still in great pain, and there is nothing I can really do now but wait it out and suffer

[inkblot]

You got my prayers, Rainbowzz.
{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Rainbowzz}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

Thanks everyone.

Gosh, I cant help but catastrophisize things at this point a bit. Im so scared for my life and for jeremy possibly losing his mommy.. and me losing him if i become caregiver dependant.

Doc put me on xanax, even though its addictive because I was a MESS this afternoon at the office. I lost it. He thinks it might be because of all the tylenol I use. Well, thats what all the docs told me to take?

Going to bed now as I am one hour of sleep since yesterday morning. Praying that I wake up...

[splitimage]

My pdoc has rheumatoid arthritis and she's managing pretty well. She took some time off work a couple of years ago, but otherwise seems to be ok. I know she is on some really heavy duty anti-inflammatories and steroids that cost a bundle and compromise her immune systerm, but overall she seems to be doing pretty well.

I really hope you have good docs to help you manage this.

Hang in there. Will be thinking of you.

--splitimage

[thelostone]

sending you good energy.

just a suggestion, i was on percocet for back pain for several years, and dr put me on something called oxyir which is the oxycodone without the acetominaphine. acetominaphine is very hard on your liver.

lost

[puckyjan56]

rainbowzz.you have my thoughts and prayers. i will also pray for the docs and research that a cure will be found.......pj56........xxoo

[BrnEyedGrl]

Sending prayers to give you strength during this really tough time.
Thinking of both you and Jeremy!!!

[MyBestKids2]

Sending calm healing vibes your way. I took Celebrex and prednisone for my lupus, and they both were quite effective for me.

and

[I_WMD]

This won' t chase ya down rainzz .. Jeremy going to be throwing a ball back and forth with ya >> .

I did celebrex also for disc stuff and degenerative narrowing things in spine .. Orthio arthrtis and All the things that come from * ouch * . celebrex took time away from me >> I D K ?? Kinda in the drive 20 miles and it felt like 3 mins .

Just my experience .
Oh and I promise Jeremys' blankey will be there before he is 1 year old >> LOL ,,, I get acouple extra dollars this week >> I make mail ,,>> KICK ME !!! LOL > >> >> aaaaaaaaaaa That was Hard >> Love Ya >...

[okiedokie]

Oh, honey! I'm so sorry to hear of your illnesses. You've certainly got way more than your share to deal with. Of course, I will pray for you and I hope you know by now that I wish you all the BEST that life has to offer.

Take gentle care of yourself. I really admire your positive attitude to get out there and live to the fullest while you are still able. It would be so easy to get on the pity pot and stay there, but not YOU! You ROCK!
Love you,
Sandy

[seeker1950]

Rainbowzz, hun, I want to encourage you to be optimistic!
I have an aunt in her 70's who has been dealing with RA for many years now, and taking the meds. She is doing very well. I also have a female coworker who was diagnosed with RA about 6 years ago. She was down for a while, but with medication, you can't even tell now that she has RA. My aunt also takes Xanax when she needs it. I think a lot of pain is stress-related, at least that's what I'm experiencing presently. Wish I had some!
Love
Patty

[sabby]

Dearest (((((((((((((((((((( Rainbowzz ))))))))))))))))))))))))))

What a yuck thing to be dx'ed with.....I truly am sorry to hear of it. But, like others have said, there is definitely hope that you will be able to live a pretty dang good life with the dx. It all starts with a good attitude...and you've got that down pat...so you are clearly on your way m'dear!

I've taken Celebrex for other issues and found it to be a godsend. Unlike WMD, it didn't mess with my head at all and gave me wonderful relief from the pain and swelling. I certainly hope that it helps you too hon.

Again, I'm sorry that you have been down for the count but I know you aren't out of the game...not by a long shot Keeping you and Jeremy in my prayers and sending healing thoughts.


sabby