Deb....Sorry about your back problems. I certainly know how that is.
As far as I know, nothing about my back problems caused RA. I was only 33 when car accident happened, & now I'm 54. Although the OA is in several places now, it is a different "problem". The only thing dr says about OA & RA with me is trying to deal with pain. Says that it's diffifult to tell sometimes which he's dealing with. When I started Remicade, I could tell a difference. It helped RA, but not OA. Dr says RA is a disease of the immune system. It's like any other disease. Some people get it & some don't. I was one of the "lucky" ones. I don't know of anyone in my family having it, as far back as I can remember. It started about a year ago, in one finger. That finger kept me awake at night hurting. My dr referred me to a Rheumatoligist, who knew right away, what was going on. After only one year, it's all through my body. This doesn't happen to everyone who gets it. Some only have mild to moderate pain that can be dealt with by otc meds...while others, like me, have to have major treatments. By getting it early, we are hoping it will be kept under control & not get worse. Meaning, to be bedridden, or wheelchair bound. I'm determined for that to not happen. I do suggest, if you have any problem, as I mentioned, see your dr immediately. The sooner they find it, the better. And it does, usually start out in a finger, then the same finger on the other hand. Didn't mean to write a book on it....but want to help you all I can. Hope this has helped. Feel free to ask anything.
One more thing, I had several steroid injections in my back. After a few years, I requested the dr try something else. I started out on Motrin (which is wonderful). After a few years, the dr wanted to try something else, since Motrin, after a time, can bother the stomach. Now, I'm on Lodine, which is great also. No cure, but makes it bearable(spelling). It took almost a year, but the weight from the steroids came off without any effort. It's hard to lose weight with it in your system. My weight gain this time wasn't due to that.
Hopefully, your back problem won't get worse than it already is. Be care with any exercising. You don't want to cause more problems. I've lost 20 lbs since April 23 without any kind of exercising, so it can be done.
I wish you lots of good luck.
Hey There
Joanne
....I'm sure all of you understand, though. I guess I just needed to vent a little. Thanks for listening. I really hope all of you feel good today.
Hi Joanne & Young Grasshopper. Been resting a little on this cloudy, kinda rainy day. Makes my bones ache!!
to another. At least, I haven't had ulcers from any of them. I had a friend who had knee surgery....it's back to giving her problems again. I wish you better luck!
