Glen Frey of the Eagles

[jetttsd]

Just heard that Eagles founder Glen Frey died from complications of RA, Colitis and pneumonia. Very sad. The Eagles were one of my favorite bands. Hopefully people will begin to realize RA is not just "a little joint pain".

[allanah]

I'm sad too. But the treatments we have got RA and auto immune disease are better than Glen had maybe had available in days gone by and all our symptom are individual My dad and uncles had aspirin full stop and I have biologicals and dmards, I'm SO lucky. I think of his family and friends and all the fans tonight xxx

[jetttsd in reply to allanah]

I agree. Both my aunt and grandmother had severe RA. They did not have the medicines available then that we have now. I have biologics (humira) and dmards (methotrexate). I do think this will bring more awareness to the public about RA.

[woodstar1 in reply to jetttsd]

I agree but apparently he only got diagnosed 15 years ago and would assume he had the very best Drs and medication!! Scary but hope it highlights RA.

[jetttsd in reply to woodstar1]

I just read this also. It is scary.

[Clare-NRAS Partner NRAS]

So very true. Similar to Cilla Black how it is only upon their deaths that it becomes public that these celebrities had RA. Why? If more people in the public eye spoke openly about their RA just imagine the impact it would have on public awareness.

The Eagles were the soundtrack to my youth so all their songs hold a very special place in my heart.

Still what a legacy to leave us all with.

[jetttsd in reply to Clare-NRAS]

Yes. I wish more people would talk about their RA. I get tired of people hearing I am having difficulties with my RA telling me they have arthritis too. They often act like its no big deal. If more awareness were out there, people might be more understanding.

I was listening to my eagles records last night, it really took me back to my youth.

[dbestdeb]

He was probably on a biologic or other medication that suppressed his ammunition system which led to the pneumonia. I too, wish celebrities with RA would speak up to bring some awareness to it.

[jetttsd]

I wish they would disclose which medication. I know my rheumatologist gave me a pneumonia shot before I started Humira. I am due for another next month.

It is such a hard choice to go on these medications, yet I have seen first hand the devastating effects of non-medicated RA. It's a quality of life question.

[jetttsd]

I just read this article It appears his manager is saying his death is related to his RA meds. He has only had Re: for about 15 years.

thewrap.com/glenn-freys-med...

[net2012]

That is what I first thought jetttsd, that it would be complications from his medication, ie immune suppressed. I was told a couple of months ago that I could have a tendon cleaned out in my ankle but Dr did not recommend it because of the drugs I am on, mtx and humira.

Saying that though I have managed to fight off sinusitis myself this month.

[jetttsd in reply to net2012]

Sinusitis seems to be pretty common with humira. I've had it 2 times in the last 3 months.

Looking at pictures from the last 10-15 years, you can see Glenn Frey wearing tape on fingers and wrists often. He also was at some RA/Lupus events. I guess it was just not discussed in the media much. Lots of reports say he was suffering from his ailments for weeks, they don't mention the years of struggle with RA.

[net2012 in reply to jetttsd]

lol the Humira nose. I never had it before ever until I started Humira. I had it twice last year and just had it end of December. My gp recommended steaming so I bought a small facial steamer from Argos which a nasal attachment and used that a lot with this last infection and I managed to stay off antibiotics using it.

The little known side of RA that people don;t know about hat it affects more than hands, knees and feet.

[jetttsd in reply to net2012]

Isn't that the truth. I will try the steamer.

[nomoreheels]

RA is not treated with chemotherapy, twisted reporting as one would expect from reading Yahoo! Celebrity.

[jetttsd]

There has been a lot of reporting. Much of it seems based on comments by his manager. Bringing RA to the forfront may be good, yet I hope these reports don't scare a lot of people off all medications instead of making informed decisions (whatever they choose to do) with their doctors. My sister in-law and I were diagnosed at almost the same time. She chose not to take biologic medication and I chose to take it. At this point, my quality of life is much better, yet no one knows the future. It is a hard decision for everyone.

I am amazed that Glenn Frey was able to play the guitar and tour for so many years with RA. I use to play guitar as a hobby and had to give it up because of wrist pain. I even knew some Eagles songs. I may have to pulling the guitar back out and give it a try.