Morning everyone.
I don't know if RA works like this.
does anyone know if you get different strength's of RA.
The reason I am asking, because I know someone who has RA like me, she seems fine, working, having a active life, going to her gym etc, I can hardly get out my bed, this has been going on for 4 years and I am getting worse.
As you have probably found everybody has a different story to tell about “their” RA/RD........It affects different people in different ways.... unfortunately to date no doctor seems able to foretell 100% how each person’s disease will progress.
Some people are diagnosed, apparently like the person you know, get prescribed drugs that suit them, & carry on with their lives...almost as before.....at the other extreme some search for years before they find drugs to control their disease....& others.... rarely ....just never do find the perfect drug regime.
There are many different types of auto immune disease ...RA/RD being one of them.
One person’s pain maybe completely unbearable to them, but acceptable to another with a different level of dealing with pain ....it’s not something you can control......it just happens........hence it appears there are different “strengths” of RA.......but to the person having the pain....no matter on what scale.......to them it’s the worst pain ever.
There’s no denying that some people have a strain of RA where much joint damage & pain is caused...whereas others get little joint damage. Early diagnosis & treatment does appear to have a better outcome, but not always.
I’m sure other people will have a more personal view of “their” RA...& be convinced there are different “strengths” but that is the problem..... ......my/your RA is nothing like anyone else’s RA.
Hope you “un-stiffen” soon....maybe you could have a word with your rheumy nurse to get some different medication, or get a referral to a physiotherapist for some gentle exercise?
Spot on AC ... if your struggling do see your Rheumy . Last year a bad bad year for me . Had to fight to get treatment after trial and error ( more error) I’m On a Biologic along side methotrexate now (4weeks) don’t want to jinx myself but I’m slowly feeling a difference... I hope this is one for me. Maybe a different drug maybe the answer but only your consultant will know. Good luck
Think you meant this for Aukdreekie didn’t you J1707?
Hello Auldreekie2 as others have said no one person is the same as we all have different levels off RA and pain and damage so it must be very hard to diagnose and get the right treatment for anyone person,I would contact your rheumy team and get your meds changed xxx
Hi I see RA consultant every 6 mths, cant complain about the care I get, I have been on 15 different medications in 4 years been 4 times to the day unit for infusions, I see two consultants at the hospital, also my own doctor looks after me, which is nice.
they have not found the right one yet, also in Dec when they took me in to the hospital the professor, came to see me he said my body does not seems to be responding to any medication treatment and that can happen.
Typical! You get the best service but even that doesn’t help. We are all so different. xx
Sure there are different strengths, or severities of RA. If not then how come rheumies say that some people have a more aggresive form of RA than others often resulting in more serious joint erosion. Also, some people's RA can affect just a couple of joints while other people have it in multiple joints. How much pain and joint erosion certainly comes down to how well controlled an individuals RA is, but surely not all, ie...if a bunch of people were taken off meds completly would they all experience the same intensity or level of pain....I'd be very surprised if they did.
Hi wishbone I agree with you there must be different strengths of RA.
Think of RA as a spectrum, you could be at one end and I could be at the other, etc.
Need Advice From IPF/RA Sufferers. 
Living with pain
eye problems with RA.
RA
Working with RA
