[6323cd]

Sounds horrible... how long have you had RA?

I always describe it as having your very own personal built-in torture chamber.

[republicangel]

They diagnosed me 7 years ago. The joint pain doesn't bother me as much as the lung problem. As I told my doc, if I can't breathe, I really won't care about how much joint pain I'm having. What is so strange though, is that most of the new RA treatments are bad for the lungs. So he won't give them to me except as a last resort. I'm really blessed that I do respond well to steroids. At first they put me on large doses to stop it and then started weaning me off. I only take 5 mg a day now along with some other meds. As long as I keep my weight down and keep my muscles strong by going to the gym, I feel much better.

My lung scarring seems to have stopped, but it could always start again. I just wish they could come up with some treatment for the scarring.

[usconservative]

I always describe it as having your very own personal built-in torture chamber.

I'd say that's an accurate description. I have AS (Ankylosing Spondylitis) which is a form of rheumatoid arthritis that's very difficult to treat, causes spontaneous fusion of the spine (the spine fuses itself) and attacks the major joints in the body. I've had 4 major back surgeries since my early 30's to correct the damage it's done, and I've had to have my knee's scoped out recently to "clean up" the mess the arthritis and AS have done to them. Doctor says it's also in my hips and elbows which will also likely require surgery in the next few years.

Personal torture chamber is right.......