hi. I have RA but this is a post about my dad. He is 73 and suddenly developed lots of swelling in his hand, pain in shoulders, pain in groin and just pain! His bloods showed RF greater than 200, inflammatory markers over 100 on each and he had a wrist ultrasound which lit up like a Christmas tree with inflammation. He was Accp negative so diagnosed with zero negative RA. However, the rheumatologist said it was very rare to develop ra in your 70s so is worried there could be something scary going on that has triggered an immune response. Have any of you guys been diagnosed in your 70s?
They prescribed a course of steroids which helped but the pain returned as soon as he finished them. He is waiting for a steroid injection into the wrist but now has covid. Covid seems to have exacerbated his pains. Did Covid cause a flare up for any of you?
he is in such a bad state and only just been started on hydroxy. I don’t know what to do to help but we can’t carry on like this as he is so miserable. Any tips on what I should be pushing for?
thanks everyone x
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Elmo333
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Hi Elmo. I am 72. I was diagnosed with RA in March. (Swollen joints and so much pain as per.) I was started on prednisone and then gradually built up sulfasalazine intake along with hydroxychloroquine. The prednisone dose was slowly reduced until I stopped taking it in May.
My consultant and rheumatology team have been excellent. Monthly blood tests and meetings with a rheumatology nurse or consultant.
There has been nothing mentioned about my age or anything sinister going on.
My aunt, who is now 94, was diagnosed with RA when she was 86.
I understand that there’s a strong genetic link to RA. My maternal grandmother was crippled by RA from her thirties (in the 1930s) and I only remember her on crutches. My mother also had PMR in her early 80s
So it wasn’t a total surprise when I was diagnosed with seronegative RA at the age of 57. It took almost 2 miserable years of trying unsuccessful drug combinations until I was prescribed Baricitinib which has helped greatly and I now have a good quality of life.
But my father (otherwise a very sporty and fit man) was also diagnosed in his early seventies. Methotrexate suppressed his symptoms - and he lived well until 93. I think I read somewhere that it is more usual for men to be diagnosed at a later age?
Not too late to start treatment. A friend in 80s, had always talked about her "rheumatics", was diagnosed after seeing a locum doctor and was put on methotrexate which helped her a lot.
It is less common to develop RA over 70 but by no means rare. I would suggest that you ask to speak directly to the rheumatologist to voice your concerns about your father and you do have the right to ask for a second opinion or ask for a referral to another hospital if you don't feel your father is getting the best attention. As many have said here it is never too late to start treatment but the rheumatologist may be doing other investigations in which case ask him/her to explain what they are and how long it should take etc. Doing nothing and leaving your father in pain and misery is NOT an option
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