Rheumatoid Arthritis

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Mar 20, 2014

((HUGS)) It is difficult to adjust to a chronic disease. Every auto-immune disorder has a different paths.

First...if you do not need special accommodations....I would say nothing. It is none of their business. Second, you do not have to take special patients because you are on prednisone. If you end up on other immunosupressives/biological agents you might need to not take certain patients but I would discuss this with your Rhematologist.

h113 · Mar 20, 2014

((HUGS)) It is difficult to adjust to a chronic disease. Every auto-immune disorder has a different paths.
First...if you do not need special accommodations....I would say nothing. It is none of their business. Second, you do not have to take special patients because you are on prednisone. If you end up on other immunosupressives/biological agents you might need to not take certain patients but I would discuss this with your Rhematologist.

Thanks. Yes, I don't want to say anything as well but my ankle really bothers me when I do alot on it. And since I'm not taking any DMARDs I think it will give me problems during work.

annaotis · Mar 20, 2014

please ,please please discuss going on a gluten free diet with your physician! Ask if you can be tested for gluten sensitivity. Gluten can be seen as a "gate way" to food sensitivities because of an enzyme in gluten called "zonulin", which controls intestinal permeability. This protein plays a major role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune disorders. Gliadin specifically, activates the release of zonulin. Even if gluten is not the primary cause of an auto immune disorder, it can be an exacerbative factor. I have a family member with RA for 20 years now. I discussed this with her, she got the go ahead from her physician and started a gluten free diet. She lost 30 pounds in the first 4 months after not be able to lose any weight the whole 20 years. She also has had less flare ups and reported feeling better. She said it was difficult initially going on the diet, but now says it is not a big deal. You can enjoy wonderful meals, need to avoid certain foods.This is something you would need to discuss with your physician when you have your appointment in June before doing anything... In the meantime, there is a great resource written by a certified nutritional therapist (Nora T. Gedgaudas) that explains things in further detail called "Primal Body, Primal Mind". All of the research and studies conducted about this are in the book. Hope it helps should you decide to go that route. Good luck!

silverbat · Mar 20, 2014

RA and all forms of arthritis are miserable for sure.

I have never been told to avoid certain patients when I take prednisone and I have taken it on and off for 20 years for asthma as well as arthritis(still no definitive diagnosis for RA).

I would not say anything unless I require accommadations such as shorter hours, etc. I use a cane to walk and I don't have any accommadations other than the cane and I am slower at getting places. I would avoid any extra attention d/t RA-it is hard enough being the "new nurse" as it is. This is MY opinion only. I do not know how you feel or what your limitations are.

I have an appt with a different Rheumy in april as the first one was--less than attentive, shall I say?!!!! I am taking prednisone again, with a taper depending on how I feel. It is a pain, as 15 mg helps but has more side effects than I want, so I went to 10 mg and it doesn't help as well.

I am not sure about a diet change as I have heard of three "diets" that are "supposed to help arthritis, other auto immune disorders". Not sure which of the three would be the "fix"?

I pretty much feel that every disease process affects everyone differently and so do treatments and sometimes the only way to find out what will help is through trial and error.

The one thing that seems to help everyone is a good, positive atttitude and the attitude of-I may have a disease, but the disease doesn't have me.

Depression--yep, kinda goes along with any chronic disease, especially painful ones. Please talk to your dr about this, and see if medication or counseling is available to help you to cope with RA and the life changes involved with this disease.

You are not alone in this and you have the support of many! Hang tough!

h113 · Mar 20, 2014

Thank you.

h113 · Mar 20, 2014

please ,please please discuss going on a gluten free diet with your physician! Ask if you can be tested for gluten sensitivity. Gluten can be seen as a "gate way" to food sensitivities because of an enzyme in gluten called "zonulin", which controls intestinal permeability. This protein plays a major role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune disorders. Gliadin specifically, activates the release of zonulin. Even if gluten is not the primary cause of an auto immune disorder, it can be an exacerbative factor. I have a family member with RA for 20 years now. I discussed this with her, she got the go ahead from her physician and started a gluten free diet. She lost 30 pounds in the first 4 months after not be able to lose any weight the whole 20 years. She also has had less flare ups and reported feeling better. She said it was difficult initially going on the diet, but now says it is not a big deal. You can enjoy wonderful meals, need to avoid certain foods.This is something you would need to discuss with your physician when you have your appointment in June before doing anything... In the meantime, there is a great resource written by a certified nutritional therapist (Nora T. Gedgaudas) that explains things in further detail called "Primal Body, Primal Mind". All of the research and studies conducted about this are in the book. Hope it helps should you decide to go that route. Good luck!

Thank you. I will def look into it :yes:

h113 · Mar 20, 2014

RA and all forms of arthritis are miserable for sure.
I have never been told to avoid certain patients when I take prednisone and I have taken it on and off for 20 years for asthma as well as arthritis(still no definitive diagnosis for RA).
I would not say anything unless I require accommadations such as shorter hours, etc. I use a cane to walk and I don't have any accommadations other than the cane and I am slower at getting places. I would avoid any extra attention d/t RA-it is hard enough being the "new nurse" as it is. This is MY opinion only. I do not know how you feel or what your limitations are.
I have an appt with a different Rheumy in april as the first one was--less than attentive, shall I say?!!!! I am taking prednisone again, with a taper depending on how I feel. It is a pain, as 15 mg helps but has more side effects than I want, so I went to 10 mg and it doesn't help as well.
I am not sure about a diet change as I have heard of three "diets" that are "supposed to help arthritis, other auto immune disorders". Not sure which of the three would be the "fix"?
I pretty much feel that every disease process affects everyone differently and so do treatments and sometimes the only way to find out what will help is through trial and error.
The one thing that seems to help everyone is a good, positive atttitude and the attitude of-I may have a disease, but the disease doesn't have me.
Depression--yep, kinda goes along with any chronic disease, especially painful ones. Please talk to your dr about this, and see if medication or counseling is available to help you to cope with RA and the life changes involved with this disease.
You are not alone in this and you have the support of many! Hang tough!

Thank you for your kind words. I hope your new Rheumy works out for you. Keep me posted

I'll def ask the Rheumy about diet, meds, etc. You guys make me feel better about myself

poppycat, ADN, BSN · Mar 21, 2014

I definitely feel for you! I'm 57 & just got diagnosed with RA 2 1/2 years ago after more than 30 years of joint pain. I've been on Plaquenil & Enbrel since I was diagnosed and they've worked pretty well up until recently. Both of my knees were ravaged by this disease & had to be replaced. I had the first knee done 10/28/2013 & had an amazingly easy recovery. The other knee was done 2/10/2014 & I've felt "unwell" since 2 days after surgery. I've been to my family doctor several times & had tons of labs done. I also ended up in ER last week because I was so short of breath they thought I had a PE. A few days ago, I finally put all the symptoms I've been having in writing and when I looked it over, the answer smacked me in the face: my RA is flaring up! This is the first flare I've had since I was diagnosed & all I can figure out is that the trauma of 2 major surgeries in a short time threw my body out of whack. I'm very fortunate to have a wonderful rheumatologist who's pretty easy to get an appointment with. I'll be seeing her Monday & I have an idea some med changes are in my future.

As as far as work goes, if you don't need special accommodations don't tell your employer. It's none of their business. I gave up hospital nursing 7 years ago because it was too hard for me to be on my feet 12 hours a day. By the time I'd get home in the morning I could hardly move & I was in tears from pain most days. I've been doing private duty Peds home care since then & I love it. I have a lot of down time where I can sit & the job is very low stress.

It's too bad you have to wait 3 more months to see a rheumatologist. It might be worth asking your regular doctor if he/she would prescribe an anti-inflammatory while you're waiting. I take Mobic (meloxicam) every day & it helps a lot. The only other thing I usually need for pain is arthritis strength Tylenol (650 mg./tablet). These are the things that work for me. Everybody's body reacts differently, though, so you need to find what works for you.

Good luck! PM me if you want & I'll give you a website where you can connect with other people with RA (and other conditions). There's a ton of support there.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Mar 21, 2014

I'm so sorry! RA is a tough gig! Chronic pain is a tough gig. HUGS!

I wouldn't say anything about it at work unless you need special accomodations.

h113 · Mar 21, 2014

I definitely feel for you! I'm 57 & just got diagnosed with RA 2 1/2 years ago after more than 30 years of joint pain. I've been on Plaquenil & Enbrel since I was diagnosed and they've worked pretty well up until recently. Both of my knees were ravaged by this disease & had to be replaced. I had the first knee done 10/28/2013 & had an amazingly easy recovery. The other knee was done 2/10/2014 & I've felt "unwell" since 2 days after surgery. I've been to my family doctor several times & had tons of labs done. I also ended up in ER last week because I was so short of breath they thought I had a PE. A few days ago, I finally put all the symptoms I've been having in writing and when I looked it over, the answer smacked me in the face: my RA is flaring up! This is the first flare I've had since I was diagnosed & all I can figure out is that the trauma of 2 major surgeries in a short time threw my body out of whack. I'm very fortunate to have a wonderful rheumatologist who's pretty easy to get an appointment with. I'll be seeing her Monday & I have an idea some med changes are in my future.
As as far as work goes, if you don't need special accommodations don't tell your employer. It's none of their business. I gave up hospital nursing 7 years ago because it was too hard for me to be on my feet 12 hours a day. By the time I'd get home in the morning I could hardly move & I was in tears from pain most days. I've been doing private duty Peds home care since then & I love it. I have a lot of down time where I can sit & the job is very low stress.
It's too bad you have to wait 3 more months to see a rheumatologist. It might be worth asking your regular doctor if he/she would prescribe an anti-inflammatory while you're waiting. I take Mobic (meloxicam) every day & it helps a lot. The only other thing I usually need for pain is arthritis strength Tylenol (650 mg./tablet). These are the things that work for me. Everybody's body reacts differently, though, so you need to find what works for you.
Good luck! PM me if you want & I'll give you a website where you can connect with other people with RA (and other conditions). There's a ton of support there.

Thanks

h113 · Mar 21, 2014

I'm so sorry! RA is a tough gig! Chronic pain is a tough gig. HUGS!
I wouldn't say anything about it at work unless you need special accomodations.

Yeah, it takes some time getting used to it and def listening to your body.