Today I got a call from my doctor after some tests were run at my last physical. I had a bout of pain and swelling in my hands and fingers that was more intense than normal. In my normal blood tests my doctor also added a panel for OA and RA turns out mine came back positive for Rheumatoid arthritis. I was hoping it wasn't going to get me but my family history is full of it my mother and grand also had it. Right now it's not too bad I just have a little pain and swelling from time to time but the doc said over time it will get worse.

I already am showing the signs in my fingers of the bumps and and lumps but I thought it was just my hands gettting old. Now the doc and I have to talk about treatments. BUT this will not stop me from doing poser!!! LOL!

Thank goodness that poser doesn't require alot of pain and strain on the hands.  Sorry to hear about the diagnosis, but you seem to be in good spirits, so that's as important as any treatment you receive.

Treatments are better than they've ever been, so good luck.

Good luck with the treatements.   You're showing a great attitude by vowing to keep doing what you love to do. 

One thing that may help - well, a couple of things: 1) Get a larger monitor and a highly sensitive mouse. For example, I have a 25" NEC tube and a Diamondback Razer mouse. A mouse with with lots of extra buttons is nice too. 2) In your operating system's mouse settings, crank up the movement sensitivity as high as you can comfortably go. Same with the screen resolution. 3) Get hold of one of those Natural Keyboards. I usually detest Microsoft stuff, but their Natural Keyboard (which is split and funny-looking) is a good product. All of these together do a couple of nice things: * Less movement required on the mouse to get your cursor somewhere (for example, my main monitor has a 1600x1400 rez screen, and I can move the cursor from one corner to its opposite with less than 1/3 of an inch (just under a centimeter) of mouse movement. Less movement = less pain. A more precise mouse allows both finer adjustments, and less bumping and mouncing of the mouse to get the thing exactly where you need it. * The keyboard allows for a more natural curvature of the hands and wrists. The fingers aren't cocked sideways on the keyboard... so less pain there, too. The extra buttons on the mouse can be mapped to key combinations that would otherwise be a PITA on the finger joints. HTH a little, /P

I second the recomendation for the split keyboard....they generally take just a little time to get used to, but they're wonderful. I've also been a lot happier with the new wireless mouse I got as the shape is much easier on my hand (I just need a new desk with better placements for things) And they now have a wireless natural keyboard (that I'll be getting as soon as my current set dies)

I was diagnosed with an RA cousin.....one of the "poorly defined auto-imune disorders" as my doctor put it. I have most of the symptoms of RA, but I've never tested positive for it. And outside of my one true love Bextra (I still cry over that one) I'm allergic to every single medication out there...so now I just tough it out and keep the ibuprophen handy when I can't.

One thing that helps me when my swelling leaves me too stiff to do anything, I have an old sock (it's clean) filled with rice in the freezer. I just pull it out and sit with it on my hands for a while till things start to feel a little more normal. Can also pop it in the microwave for a few seconds to warm it up when other muscle aches crop up.

Another thing to look into possibly for when you're at the computer are crafters/quilters mits. They're fingerless and have a part that goes down onto the wrist area...may sound a little odd, but they do help a little.

Sorry to hear about the RA - I have OA Osteo -arthritis I just take a lot of NSAIDs and grit and bear it - I hope you will have many productive years ahead!

I'm so sorry to hear about this PaganArtist. Just at a time when you have been able to concentrate on more pleasurable endeavors too. I hope you can keep this at bay for a long time.
Be thinking of you.

I'm so sorry to hear this :(  I know it can be very painful.  Some suggestions  above about keyboard and mouse will help you immensely.

Here are some links that you can read about the various treatments for RA. It's important to start them early and keep with them.

http://www.hopkins-arthritis.org/arthritis-info/rheumatoid-arthritis/rheum_treat.html

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/abatacept/AR00053

I would also suggest that you do some heavy research and see if there are any research studies going on involving stem cells and RA.

Stem cells are showing great promise in treating aggressive auto immune diseases. A recent one for Multiple Sclerosis where  the participants received a transplant of their own blood stem cells after their immune cells were destroyed with chemotherapy, irradiation halte the progress of MS in 20 out of 26 people. And in some actually showed some regeneration of the nerves.

Since RA is also auto-immune, stem cells might also be a key treatment.   Studies most often want people who are newly diagnosed so that they can follow the progression of the disease etc. 

I'll keep you in my thoughts and send good vibes your way.

Acupuncture is an amazing antidote. I wouldn't be without it. It does really help.
cheerio  lululee

Stay positive and yea, look into alternative healing methods.  There are supplements and other things that can help make life a bit easier rather than becoming too dependant on pills and trips to the doctors.  Living with HIV for over 20 years believe me you either go the way of the pills and a slave to your doctors suggestions or you educate yourself and take control over your own health and make your doctor a partner in the process.  I chose the latter and it works just fine for me.  While both disorders are quite different they can both be very very painful to deal with so I hope you choose which ever path you deem right and keep positive about it all!! 

All the best to you

Richard ;-)~

All these responses are so touching. I too wish you longevity, happiness, and pain management.

Here's to a great Poser filled future!

Ouch... I'm sorry to hear about it! Not pleasant (I have a form of arthritis too, yuck)
Do whatever you need to do to take good care of yourself, and hang in there!
Hugz, Connie

Thanks to you all! I've been using a microsoft split keyboard for over a year and truly love it. The only time I get real pain is when I use my wacom tablet pen. My hand will cramp up and my fingers will go numb after a while. I use the mouse that came with my wacom and it's very compfortable to me. My other problem is I can't play my guitar or tin whistle for long periods of time. I play and sing in a small Irish folk band so I've been doing more singing than playing. I can play the drum though but again for not long periods of time. This really bums me out cuz I've been doing this since age 5. One of  the lads in the band says this is good excuse for an extra pint to ease the pain. Pitty I am not a drinker...LOL!

All will be well I have a great doctor and plenty of support and new drugs and therapies are always coming to the forefront. Also there are my own home remedies to use that has been passed down in my family over the generations to ease pain...and yes they are LEGAL...LOL!!

Cheers to you all.

pag, best wishes for good treatment. keep us informed.

11/5/07

PaganArtist:

I am sorry to hear about this diagnosis. If you have not already, get connected with a knowledgable and caring Rheumatologist. Not all people with RA will have severe disease, and with the new treatments available, the progression of joint deformity can be reduced or prevented, as can debilitating pain.

A number of people here have suggested coping mechanisms and alternative treatetments. You will find that networking with others to be a valuble source of support, information, and help. Not every alternative will work for every person, so don't get discouraged if one or another thing doesn't help much.

Let us know how you are doing. I have always found this to be a caring and supportive community.

LMK

Sorry the hear. I wish you the best and right medical treatments. It makes me wonder if there is also anything the nutritional and holistic arts can do to help as well. Best wishes.

Sorry to hear your bad news, Paganartist.  Stay positive; there's a lot of good advice in this thread.

That's bad news, dude. I can thoroughly recommend green mussel extract ointment for all kinds of joint and connective tissue pain. It is expensive but I find it very relieving; I use it on my wrists and ankles.

best wishes to successfully manage your condition.

Well, I've got all sorts of ageing-related ailments myself, folks, but it ain't going to spoil my Poser-ing fun, I can tell you that much.  Carry on.

One thing that I use on my joints, and other little ailments, is Tiger Balm. For me it works better than Bengay or any of the other stuff like it and it smells a whole lot better

And if you find a doctor you like....don't let them move away! 

My first rheumatologist was great and my mom and I both liked him a lot...and then he up and moved on us and things kinda went downhill from there. Bad enough having to drive 4 hours out of state for a good doctor...let alone the same drive for doctors we didn't like whos only suggestion was try yet another medication that didn't like me.

I hope you have much better luck in that area than I did.