I'm a 33 year old female living in Illinois.
Interestingly enough - my first introduction to RA was through my eye. I had my first full-blown symptoms of RA joint pain back in Feb 07. But in November of 06 - I had a strange lump way down on the inside lower eyelid of my left eye. It was about the size of a pea - and hard as a rock. My eye doc surgically removed it (and let me tell you how fun that was). The doc said one of two things happened - he said either I had gotten a foreign substance in my eye - and the skin grew over it - or, I had an immune disorder such as lupus or rheumatoid. At the time - my BF and I were right in the middle of remodeling his house - so for me - I figured I had paint chips or saw dust or something in my eye. I had always been the perfect picture of health - so when he mentioned the lupus or RA thing - I told him - no way - I'm fine. 3 months later I couldn't get out of bed without crying in pain. Oddly enough - I went back for my 3 month checkup with the eye doc - and the same day I had gotten an RA diagnosis from my rheumy - he was shocked! Me too. My first RA joint pains started in 2/07 - I went to my uncle's wedding wearing brand new stiletto heels. I danced the night away! So needlesss to say I wasn't too surprised the next morning when my feet were killing me. About a week went by - and my feet just kept feeling horrible. Next I noticed pains and swelling in my knees - then moved into my hands/wrists/fingers - they were like sausages (so it only took 2 weeks for my whole body to be affected). After testing negative for rheumatoid factor - my family doc dropped me like a bad habit. Almost 2 weeks later she referred me to a rheumatologist. I love my rheumy - she is the best doc ever!
I immediately started 10mg prednisone daily, 400mg plaquenil daily, and started on the road to my current level of Methotrexate.
I'm currently injecting .7 cc's of MX (17.5 mgs), taking 400 mgs plaquenil daily, and folic acid. (No more prednisone for me - took it for 11 months before I was able to stop taking it).
My RA is sleeping soundly.
UPDATE: I went to Key West for vacation in 06/08 - got a horrible heat rash when I was there. When I got home - saw my rheumy - was tested for Lupus. I now tested for antibodies associated with lupus - that I tested negative for one year prior. I was diagnosed with mild SLE Lupus 06/08. The meds I am currently taking for RA also treat the Lupus - and both diseases are pretty quiet overall.

I love to spend time with my nieces and nephews, fish with my boyfriend, and go to rock concerts with him too (he plays the drums). I work 2 jobs and am always on the go - don't really know how to slow down and relax.
Auto Immune diseases run in the fam - my cousin is Amanda6 below - Hi Mandy!
I'm determined to live in harmony with my diseases :)