I never realised these problems could be fatal!

[Kellan38]

I read online today that Rheumatoid Arthritis is an auto-immune disease, and that some of these can even be fatal. I was quite shocked by this, and it has greatly increased my worry over my condition now. Did anyone realise this, and is this something a doctor will tell you if you are diagnosed with this?

[Happyrosie]

Speaking here as a former life assurance underwriter (in other words, if you applied for a life assurance I would determine whether an additional premium should be charged according to the risk, just like car insurance): There could be a small additional risk of additional mortality (as it’s known) dependant on severity. For example, if you are confined to a wheelchair your internal organs don’t get the exercise that those belonging to more able-bodied people would. But if you are able to get around and live a fairly normal (though painful) life it’s not likely to be shortened just by the RA.Hope this helps, but if you have a rheumatologist nurse he or she can explain further. I doubt if a doctor would bother to mention it but would I’m sure be able to reassure you.

[Hidden]

I can honestly say that not one doctor or consultant has told me that! That is worrying. 😵

[medway-lady]

I'm sorry but this to me is a non issue. Life is fatal as we will all die at some point. So its about risk and balance for example Hashimoto's Thyroiditis is fatal (an immune disease) so is Diabetes (type 1) but actually are very easily treatable with a small pill every day or diet or injection. So they simply very rarely kill now in a modern society. I've known from the start that having one AI condition could, and did lead to others but as no way of stopping the problem then why worry? It is the case that some will not go on to other diseases and I'd image you like me are checked for various things every year or so. I have pANCA antibodies and just born like that but it doesn't worry me as it can't be changed its just life.

[Kellan38]

Hello again, all

Many thanks for all your replies. I think that the fact that I’m a longtime sufferer of health anxiety pushed me over on this one. I was feeling worried, and at a pretty low ebb when I misunderstood what was being said, but I feel a whole lot better now after reading your explanations.

During yesterday and the before, the pains were almost gone, but they’ve crept back in today, and I are as bad as ever now. Still, we rattle on...

Thank you again for all your help.

[GranAmie]

A close colleague from times past developed Rheum Disease [as it is now called as it's more than 'just'!! arthritis] abt 2 yrs ago and wrote her will etc etc... Sensible to do anyway, but I queried the possibility of earlier death when I developed it at 72/3 in 2015 BUT my rheumatologist told me that before med knowledge increased together with a wider variety of treatments, therapies that was the case but nowadays rarely so.