my doctor diagnosed me with RA last year. I was working in a health food store, and never experienced problems with my knees before. I was never in sports, but I'm an active person. I woke up one morning and my knee was swollen huge red sore.. I couldn't stand up. I went to the doctor and he sent me to the emergency room for xrays. He told me the results were from RA. I don't have insurance, and I can't afford the medication he prescribed for me, so I take Orudis KT (My mom gave it to me). Most of the time it's a real pain to use my knee without a brace, but I get through it. What I am wondering now is what is going to happen to me? I already know the chance of this disease spreading through my legs and feet, or organs is high. I've done a lot of research on RA, and subscribed to RA Access. I want to know from other people who have RA how it progressed for them. I'm afraid I'll lose ability to walk as I get older. I'm only 23, and I'm beginning to develope symptoms in my leg and ankle. I feel like I'm too young to develope this severity of arthritis, but I have to live with the fact I do have it at my age. If anyone could tell me some alternatives I could do so I don't have to foot high medical bills or prescription charges, I'd appreciate it.

My heart just breaks for you because I was diagnosed with psoriatic arhthritis (which is closely related to RA)when I was in my mid-20's, I'm now in my 40's. And that's exactly how I found out I had arthritis...I took a bath one day and noticed my knee was swollen. So I know how you're feeling and pretty much know what's gonna happen in the future. Is there a medical clinic in your area that charges you based on what you earn or ability to pay? What about medicare? Because something needs to be done to slow the progress of this disease down. Good luck to you dear.

Hi Dawnrise, I hope you don't mind my asking, but I really need some answers regarding psoriatic arthritis. I have posted before requesting anyone with similar condition/diagnosis to respond but to date not much has been forthcoming. The reason I am curious is that my rheumy diagnosed me in January this year. I am uncertain of what he based his diagnosis on and sometimes wonder, if the dividing line between all of these spodyloarthropies (sp?) is so fine, how on earth can they differentiate one from the other? Please can you tell me more about your experience with this condition? i.e. Symptoms, duration, meds, progression of the illness and so forth. I'll appreciate your response. All the best. Romi Originally posted by Dawnrise:
My heart just breaks for you because I was diagnosed with psoriatic arhthritis (which is closely related to RA)when I was in my mid-20's, I'm now in my 40's. And that's exactly how I found out I had arthritis...I took a bath one day and noticed my knee was swollen. So I know how you're feeling and pretty much know what's gonna happen in the future. Is there a medical clinic in your area that charges you based on what you earn or ability to pay? What about medicare? Because something needs to be done to slow the progress of this disease down. Good luck to you dear.

Hi Dawnrise, I hope you don't mind my asking, but I really need some answers regarding psoriatic arthritis. I have posted before requesting anyone with similar condition/diagnosis to respond but to date not much has been forthcoming. The reason I am curious is that my rheumy diagnosed me in January this year. I am uncertain of what he based his diagnosis on and sometimes wonder, if the dividing line between all of these spodyloarthropies (sp?) is so fine, how on earth can they differentiate one from the other? Please can you tell me more about your experience with this condition? i.e. Symptoms, duration, meds, progression of the illness and so forth. I'll appreciate your response. All the best. Romi

Hi Romi...my symptoms (if I can remember that far back) started out as swelling and pain in just one knee. One day I fell and it seemed like it kicked it into high gear. Over the years more joints started swelling, getting painful and eventually started to deform. I've had an athroscopy done on my knee and had to have my thumb straightened out last year because it was so deformed. I am not able to straighten out my elbows or my knees totally. I have fingers, toes, feet, knees, elbows and wrists involved. My wrists have fused by themselves so I'm not able to bend them at all. I was on methotrexate (a blessing then) for a few years then switched to Imuran. Currently doing Enbrel injections while still taking Imuran and prednisone. Eventually (hopefully) these 2 meds will be discontinued. I would love to have my knees replaced but they won't do it at my age. I'm still able to work and get around and do things but it's real painful at times. Although the Enbrel has helped a lot. I still have good days and bad days. But my bad days aren't as severe.