Elderly onset of Rheumatoid Arthritis

[Prettystuffed]

Hi I have had sero-positive RA for about 7yrs. I did not develop it until I was in my 60's. It came on quickly whilst loading a mule onto a trailer she pulled back and bingo a very red and painful wrist. I am now on Tocilizumab 4 weekly infusion which seems to control it beautifully. Gone are the nodules and elbow bursa. Anyway my question is are many of you people also late starters? Of which I might add I am glad about as I had a very active life style. Love to all xx

[Fruitandnutcase]

I was in my mid sixties when I developed sero negative inflammatory arthritis. It started a couple of years after I developed Graves Disease which is another autoimmune condition. It probably started it started slowly but I was fast tracked to rheumatology very quickly after I saw my GP. I started with steroids then onto hydroxychloroquine which I’ve been taking ever since.

[Scottishlad in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

A friend was diagnosed in her 80s! She had complained often to me about her rheumatics as she called them. She saw locum instead of her regular doctor and they tested her for RA. Methotrexate helped her a lot.

[Prettystuffed in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Thank you for your reply. Very interesting xx

[Boxerlady]

I was diagnosed with sero positive RA at 59. I think that I had a initial episode about 30 years before - described at the time as an over-reaction of my immune system to a virus - which thankfully passed quickly. I'm sure that RA would have been far more difficult for me to deal with then, working full time in a physically and mentally demanding career whereas I've been able to adapt much easier now that I'm semi-retired. The medications available to us now are also far better for which I'm very grateful.

I don't think of myself as elderly, though 😂 The diagnosis led me to making an effort to exercise - I now do AquaFit classes three times a week having been an avid non-exerciser previously - so maybe I'll end up healthier in some respects than I would have been if I hadn't developed RA!

[CagneysMum in reply to Boxerlady]

Your experience sounds similar in some ways to mine Boxerlady. I had a demanding career that I worked hard at but thoroughly enjoyed up until the age of 56 when a very difficult work relationship with a colleague suddenly became extremely stressful to manage … and which over time I believe played a part in triggering my RA/full body flare. A complete shock as we have no family history of RA. So at 58 I decided to call time, and chose to retire early.

That was 4 years ago and my RA is now under control thanks to methotrexate and amgevita. So now at the age of 62 I lead a much healthier lifestyle with time to cook properly for me and my husband and I’m at the gym twice a week and attend Aqua classes. Much happier (despite the RA) and healthier though still overweight 😬

[Prettystuffed in reply to Boxerlady]

Thank you Boxer Lady I don't feel old either although the mirror seems to tell me different!!! I also try to walk every day and enjoy gardening. I would love to go back to Horse riding . I was just interested in how many people also developed it late. xx

[BoneyC]

I was an early starter, 1971 age 6.

[Prettystuffed in reply to BoneyC]

Oh Wow poor you xxx

[janmary]

I say that mine started in my sixties with sudden acutely inflamed hands/ wrists / feet - all the right joints but not in any symmetrical order. It was easy to diagnose then, but on reflection I had been having more low key aches and pains for some years. Well controlled on RTX now and I seem to be moving better in my late 70s than many of my non RA friends.

[cyberbarn in reply to janmary]

And I wonder how many of your non RA friends actually have an inflammatory condition but no one has ever bothered to diagnose them.

I was talking to someone in our village who has arthritis but had never said which type. We are both knitters and have been chatting about our aches and pains for about 20 years. I don't see her so much anymore (I don't have dogs and she no longer walks hers as she is in her 80s now) but when I saw her the other day I stopped to chat. I said that I had finally been diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis and she said she had no idea what kind of arthritis she had, the GP had never told her.

I do wonder if we are the lucky ones who push to get referred to rheumatology, and that there are many others out there that also struggle with these things but have no idea that medication might have been able to help them for all those years.

[Prettystuffed in reply to janmary]

Thank you for your reply. Mine was really fast as I can't recall any symptoms before then xx

[Prettystuffed in reply to janmary]

I seem to be a little prone to auto immune conditions I have had Steven Johnson syndrome twice also Raynards and sjogrens syndrome with my RA. Thank you for your reply

[GinnyE]

I was in my mid sixties when it appeared suddenly and I was fast tracked onto methotrexate.

[Gymcactus]

I was 66 when I was diagnosed as sero positive RA , very quickly fast tracked and take methotrexate and sulfazalazine, I consider myself fortunate that I have no damage to joints. My consultant said it was likely the sudden death of my husband after a short illness that triggered it .

[Prettystuffed in reply to Gymcactus]

Hi Gymcactus Thank you for your reply. I don't think it was trauma that started mine but who knows. Life is a trauma xx

[Vixen2]

Hey Prettystuffed. I was diagnosed with RA when i was 21. (53 now). It turned out mine was called Reactive Arthritis. I had the faulty gene. HLB27. I actually got an STI off my (then husband. Chlymidia). I was really naive & got married at 21. 6 months later. I had an awful pain in my left shoulder, right big toe & my right eye developed conjunctivitous. My lovely mum. Who was a nurse. Was worried. Took me to her a&e. They kept me in & told me the shocking news. We of course questioned my husband. I read that some sexual infections can lay dorment in the system for a long time. With no symptoms. I find it quite emotional to think about. As i hadn’t slept with anyone else before him. He was the only man i’d ever been with. Anyway. After leaving a&e. My condition got 100% worse. The inflammation spread to every single joint. I was 90 over night. My husband became my carer. He was very patient. (Probably some guilt in there too!) But i moved in with my mum for a while. She was fantastic. I was on loads of steroids, anti inflammatories. Indocid, Sulphasalazine, Co-Codamol, Co-Dydramol. I felt awful. So ill. Had nausea every day. Took a few months for my body to get used to the medication. Then after a while. I started getting serious flare ups of Iritis. (Inflammation of the pupil). I was having steroid injections in the eye nearly every day. It was a massive flare up. Then i was referred to Moorfields Eye Hospital. I’ve been going there ever since. Loads of bloody flare ups, 2 cataracts removed. Lens replacements injected into the eyes, as my vision was getting really bad. (It’s amazing what they can do now!) Anyway. I now have Infliximab infusions every 6 weeks. I always say this. After all these years. I’m so bloody grateful for the NHS!!!!

[Prettystuffed in reply to Vixen2]

Hi Vixen2 My you have really been through the mill it makes me realise how lucky I really am. I agree the NHS and my Consultant have been fantastic I really can't fault it. I started treatment within 5 weeks and trying various combinations of drugs eventually settled on Tocilizumab which I have been on nearly 2 yrs. Best wishes xx

[oldtimer2]

My sister was very annoyed to develop typical joint swelling in her hands & wrists after a bout of GCA (Giant Cell Arteritis) following whooping cough (!) at aged 76.

She was annoyed because I had it already for many years so she recognised it before the doctor did!

[Prettystuffed in reply to oldtimer2]

Hi oldtimer2 I think that is often the case Lol.

[Wantplaytennis]

Also a late starter,trigger unknown. I got nodules on top of nodules.

Anyone else had nodules disappear after medication,if so which meds?

[Prettystuffed in reply to Wantplaytennis]

Hi Wantplaytennis My nodules and bursas went with the medication but they can reappear if I get a slight flare. Not very often now Best wishes Sue xx

[stbernhard]

I got just past my 60th in July when the symptoms started. I just thought I had overdone the cycling. Very sore and swollen knees. By December I was diagnosed and treatment started.Like you I'm very glad I was fit and active, so had built in resilience and continued exercising throughout.

[Prettystuffed in reply to stbernhard]

Hi Thank you for your reply you are so right xx

[Biz12]

I'm a later starter with seronegative inflammatory arthritis too. I was diagnosed in March this year, aged 65. I'm thankful that the consultant continued seeing me, although the symptoms weren't typical at first. When I had a major flare-up in my hands, and other joints, including wrists, elbows, knees, they were able to start treatment quickly. I had Sulphasalazine at first, which didn't agree with me and now I take Methotrexate tablets, 10 mg weekly. Fortunately my hands are much better, less swollen, not as stiff, and less painful. I have slightly less fatigue so things are going in the right direction. I've been taking Methotrexate for around 9 weeks. I had major difficulties in accepting the diagnosis at first, but I'm learning fast! I have had painful joints for many years, thought to be due to osteoarthritis, . I don't know if I have had inflammatory arthritis all that time, or whether I have both? I see several others had similar experiences.

[Prettystuffed in reply to Biz12]

Hi Biz12 I started on methotrexate but it made me feel ill and I am such a baby if I feel sick can't bear it. Don't know how I had 5 children !!!. I like you struggled with the thoughts of not being able to do all the things I love but its not so bad and you do adapt. Thank you for your reply xx

[Colaba]

For me it was a Christmas present at 80. After a hiccup or two I have been on Methotrexate - six once a week, otherwise folic acid and a bunch of other medicines that may have little relevance to RA.

I have been physically weaker since RA, mostly legs, and find walking quite difficult, partly due to damaged knees ( treatment prognosis at least 4 years. I am 85 - there is at the very least a cost-effective problem, not to mention life expectancy.).

The Methotrexate diet seems to be effective, though i have a puzzling sometimes quite violent cough, even though my lungs are clear (recent X ray).

Even so, I keep taking the tablets. I can drive long distances and my arms and upper body seem pretty good for my age though wekr than before RA (also 5years ago in old age)

They do say Methotrexate has its dangers - so far it seems to have helped me.

[Prettystuffed in reply to Colaba]

Hi Colaba RA does weaken you I have noticed that myself. I think whatever your age you have to try to keep going and not give in to it. Not always easy Well done on having such a positive attitude. xx

[Happy5]

I was 57 when diagnosed with RA, started treatment year after. Like you was very healthy and active. Went from this to being bed bound till treatment kicked in. Try to focus on what I can do but grieved for my former me.

🤗

[Prettystuffed]

Hi Happy5 Its surprising how many active people develop it. I grow up in the dirt playing with lots of various animals. I always thought my immune system was really good as never ill. Maybe thats the problem xxx

[Prettystuffed]

Thank you everybody for your interesting replys. Sorry for the delay in replying I spent the morning at the Hospital having my infusion. Love to all xxxx