My hubby recently got diagnosed with RA. His dominant (right) hand was very swollen and after being told by several different doctors that he had tendonitis or carpal tunnel he was finally sent to a RA specialist and got relief! He recently started getting steroid shots in his hip as the RA is migrating. Ironically, I don't have RA but am taking Rituxin (an RA infusion med) as an immune therapy.

Hi- I too have RA and have had it for several years. It is often frustrating and painful, but life goes on :) . As stated above, RA migrates, and so you learn to deal with pain in one area and then it's gone onto another. The physicians have lots of medications and help at their disposal for you. Everyone is different, and it takes time to find what works for you. It's an ongoing process - hang in there. Most of all, keep your sense of humor. Our big dog (160 lbs) has developed arthritis in his hip and I always tease him that he's mocking me when I walk :):)

May in Jersey, Are you talking about that injection that is like fake cartilage?? Synvisc is the name I think.
I messed up my left knee and the cartilage is pretty much gone. My Ortho mentioned that as an option down the road.
By the way- RA is an autoimmune disorder where the more common form of arthritis is age/wear related.
Thanks!

Yes, Susan that is the injection I received and it seems to be helping. I have arthritis in both knees and ankles but it is advanced in my left knee, rarely have pain but it does ache and swell a lot and interfers with my walking. The arthritis has been developing over the past several years as each year I seemed to be walking slower. Thought it all was due to getting older, I'm 74, but it's mostly due to the arthritis. Really hate not being able to do all the 'stuff' I used to but I'm hanging in there, doing exercises, etc. May

I have RA, was diagnosed 2-1/2 years ago, but have had it for about 4 years. My feet started hurting, and then I started feeling it in my ankles and knees. Right about when I was first diagnosed I got hit with the fatigue!! Crushing!! I was so miserable, I ended up in the Rheumatologist's office crying because I felt so horrible and I couldn't do anything. Since then the meds do help a lot, although I still do have some pain flareups. Have to remember to get extra rest, otherwise you'll be knocked off your feet! Right now I am going through a flareup, and it's really uncomfortable.

The difference you can really tell between RA and regular arthritis is that with RA, it hurts in the same place on both sides of your body...both feet, both ankles, both hands, both shoulders, etc. It's not joint wear, it's your immune system trying to eat up your own body...literally. So, good luck...get a good rheumy (rheumatologist), and don't give up. You'll eventually get a good med that works for you.