Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

My daughter just got the diagnosis - blood work verified - referred to Rheumatologist - no appointment yet -

What do I need to know to help her?

That you will be there no matter what, I guess that's a given huh? She is going to have really bad days perhaps. Once she gets the right meds, she can feel alot better however sometimes it takes quite a few trial and error with meds for them to become effective. She should read some posts here(I'm sorry, how old is she?)because RA can be awful for some while others, once on the right med do really great. Is she having a problem with fatigue?

I would get a list of questions/problems ready for the doctor's office visit, it may seem a bit overwhelming at first. Please keep us posted and let us know how you're both doing.

Connie

Duh, I just seen her age in big bold numbers. She might come on to the forum and read through some posts, it might help her better understand what she may be up against BUT more importantly all the support she will have and how it definitely can be managable.

Connie

Hi Jan, research research research. Knowledge is your best ally. That and a good rheumatologist. Like Connie said, she'll have to try some medications, which is scary for anyone but also necessary.

Have her come on and post and ask questions. We have many young women on here. We're all here to provide whatever information we can about our experiences with medications an symptoms. Its a great group. She'll feel comfortable here.. once the reality of the diagnosis sets in.

Best of luck...

Hi Jan, sorry for your daughter's news. You are both more then welcome here.

Well, I'm gonna say something a bit out of the box and it's just something I've thought about. If I had been DX'd in my 20's and knew everything I know now, I think I would have passed on the meds and went full spead ahead on all natural remedies first. Diet, exercise, vitamins, massage..... Not that it has been proven but neither have the meds and the side effects are just scary. I do use the meds, but at my age the meds are easier to take then changing all my habits. A younger person has a much better chance of changing their lifestyle and not trying to undo 30 to 50 years of habits. It is a personal choice and we were all brought up to listen to our docs and take our meds but what if eating healthier and cleansing the body works and we didn't have to put these meds into our bodies. Part of me really wonders if it was all the chemicals in the foods that caused this.

Good point Donna. I've always eaten healthy though,exercised, never smoked, dont drink, rarely ever touch meat, etc.. but where has it gotten me? lol (ZZZZZ..boring) Anything is worth a try, but I guess you have to give yourself a target date and if you see no improvement then you have to consider options.

Thats why I said to do research. That way you can explore all of your options. Herbalists, natural methods, acupuncture, etc... It's all out there and waiting..

Hi Jan....I am 60....with two lucky daughters that do not have RA...

one with hyperthyroidism.....my PERSONAL advise....since I have spent

years with exercise and being a healthy diet freak....is yoga classes, lots of raw fruits and veggies.....little red meat, lots of

fish..........no smoking, limit alcohol, and antidepressants are a

MUST.......anxiety, worry, feelings of helplessness/hopelessness with

RA are trying.....provided the pain can be reduced to minimal....

My RA has always been there.....but became unbearable in 2007. I

have what is considered a "moderate" case........that is why I am

in AWE of so many on this site....

Thanks Karen. With food though and eating right, well that's just hard to do. It's in everything. Pizza, fastfood, junk food, meat, cheeses, milk, soda, coffee, anything processed.... everything. I did not know 20 years ago a box of Pasta Roni noodles or a can of soup could hurt us. I didn't know a Big Mac and Fries could cause anything except make my weight go up. I do eat so much healthier now but still don't come close to what health experts say we should be doing. The one poison I adamantly try to stay away from is MSG.

GOS::::One thing that I totally despise is PASTA...no spagetti,

macaroni,noodles,rigatoni etc......if that is why my case is moderate,

it could be a wheat thing. NO sodas...just water. I eat a lot of

licorice twists and raw pecans,almonds, sunflower seeds to counteract

the constipation that the drugs cause....so I dont have to take

laxatives.....My choices have to do more with what I LIKE than what

is GOOD for me.....My weakness is real butter....yummmmm

Another POISON is aspertane or other artificial sweeteners....if I

cannot get real sugar, it doesn't go past the gums....my mother in

law died of pancreatic cancer....she was a sugarfree freak...so I have

come to believe it has something to do with it....