I am 42 and was diagnosed with RA over 1 yr. ago.  My Dr. says we caught it early and will treated agressively.  (what ever that means!)  After reading the personnal stories here I feel like I have no buisness being here.  But the truth is I know that it is a matter of time before Arthur decides it is time to take over my life.  So here I am hoping to learn from all of you.  The funny thing is that my mother has had RA since before I was born and it wasn't untill my true pain started that that I realized what she was enduring when I was growing up. I now see my mom and all of you in a much brighter light.  I now trully understand the old saying "you don't know a person untill you walk a mile in their shoes"  

I am currently taking Methotrexate, Folic acid, and Prednesone as needed.  Since I started these meds I have been able to function normal 98% of the time.  The other 2% I am able (for now) to push through the pain as long as I stay busy.  I do not know how long this will last but I pray to God it is a while.  My occupation is unforgiving and anything less than 100% means I loose the one thing, besides my wife and kids, that means anything to me.  But for now I feel blessed and have nothing to complain about.  Now that I found this site I know I have yet another tool in my RA tool bag to make it throught the rough spots.

May God blees you all and may the rest of your days be good days.