Hi,

I was diagnosed with RA three years ago. I'm 22 and have not gone a day since then without pain. I've been on steroids and other medications for a very long time, because of this I have gained a significant amount of weight. I am not happy with the person I see in the mirror any more and am asking for any advice on how to lose the weight I've gained in a healthy and efficient manner.

~Julie

My mom is 57 years old and has just recently started suffering from hip arthritis. She had xrays and it shows that her one hip is almost bone on bone. She is not overweight (by much). She is in so much pain that it hurts her just to walk to the mailbox. She calls me daily and is so depressed, it is consuming her. So far, she has tried: the cortisone shot, vicodin, darvocet, tylenol w/codeine, glucosimine, Advil, Aleve, and a couple of other medications that I cannot remember. None of these have given her any pain relief. I feel so bad for her. Can anyone recommend pain relief options that have worked for you or someone you know? Thank you so much.

Michelle

irish3ny@gmail.com

For the last 6 months I've been seeing a rheumatologist, my symptoms are joint pain (very little swelling), fatigue, low vitamin D, red dry eyes, some nausea and weight loss. Bloodwork comes back negative for RA also. In the beginning he prescribed a tapering dose of prednisone, as a diagnostic tool. It only gave relief for a few days so we tried again- same result. He concluded that between the lack of swelling and lack of response to the prednisone I didn't have RA. He started throwing pain meds at me saying he had no idea what I had. The last appointment he said he still doesn't know what I have and said if something gets worse call for an appt but otherwise my next appt is in Feb.

This is not acceptable to me. From appointment to appointment he doesn't remember previous treatments and forgets what we've already discussed. Before this started I was a very healthy person, I exercise at least 3 times a week, don't drink, smoke or use drugs. I've never in my life had health problems and now with four children I can't just accept being sick with no diagnosis or any answers to my questions.

So after this long rant my question is- how do I handle getting a second opinion? I live in the Northeast, between Philly and NYC, is this a big enough deal I should find a specialist at a major hospital in one of those cities instead of seeing a local rheumy? Thanks for your advice.

Hi,

My father is from China and he is RA patient for over 30 year, he is 60 years old, recently he will come her for travel for 3 months. I am thinking to find insurance for him and since the RA is painful, and I am trying to find something to make him relief from the painful. So where and how to find an insurance that can cover it?

If I could not find insurance, how much will general cost to go see the doctor and order the medicine?

Thanks,

Lily