Hi, I am 24 years old and just diagnosed with RA. They are waiting for the Xrays to see if any joint damage has taken place in my knuckles. In the mean time I am supposed to research the different meds. For now I know he wants me on the Methofoxate and then we will see if Steriods are needed. I am really scared (and of course in pain) and I don't want to be like this anymore. What do you guys think of the meds out there and their side effects? Any herbal or homopathy suggestions? Or just little hints to help ease the pain/stiffness on really bad days???

Thanks and I hope to hear from you.....I am nervous.

Let us know what the x-rays show. I have had PA for 1 yr. I haven't had x-rays yet, but someone on the board said that sometimes damage won't show up early on in x-rays, just keep that in mind. There are supplements like Cat's Claw, Evening Primrose oil or Black Currant seed extract that you can try. Also, just making sure you are taking in enough vitamins and minerals in general. Flaxseed is supposed to be beneficial(try either ground or the oil).
If you meant Methotrexate, there are a lot of people here who are taking it. You should read the posts, you can get lots of info here- more than Dr.'s will tell you. From what I understand, you can take different things to temporarily lessen the pain, like NSAID's, but it is important to actually slow down the deterioration as well. I have just been treating the symptoms and am now realizing that I may need to be more aggressive in treatment options. I am trying an alternative approach first, like seeing a Chiropractor for adjustments, acupuncture/JMT, taking supplements, that sort of thing, and then I will see if I am ready to try DMARD's or biologics. Try light exercise. You may hurt worse afterwards, but everyone says keep moving as it is good for the joints. Take a break every so often throughout the day if you work or are on your feet a lot. It is easy to overexert yourself and then you will really be in pain, so try to be practical about what you can and can't do. I have had PA for a year and still try to more furniture and do everything myself, kicking myself afterwards and usually dropping things like pickle jars that I think I can hold, but can't. It is hard to ask for help sometimes, especially if you have been independent your whole life, but it is important to take care of yourself. Try staying positive, even on gloomy days and find different support groups and if you have friends and family who will help-take them up on it. If you find things that take your mind off of it, it will make the days a little easier to bear. I hope you find something that works for you. Take care.

Thanks for replying to me! I have been taking Evening Primrose oil, so that is good to know and I will try the others. They put me on a NSAID and now are just trying to decide how aggressive of an apporach they need to do. I have also decided to do acupuncture because I heard that is very helpful. What is really killing me bothering me on days that I am not in pain is that I can't work out. I lived a life of working out five days a week but with my hands so swollen and everything the doctor says I could do some damage and it is best to wait until the swelling goes down......which is hard-I love to be active:) Thanks for your reply and I will check into some posts on Methotrexate!

Hi scaredest, I know the feeling, I was diagnosed years ago (after a year of being misdiagnosed), been down that path. Told me matter of factly that my "RA" level was one of the highest he had every seen, and I would be in a wheelchair in 5 years! It's been 7-8, and I do limp a bit, but no wheelchair.

I found little relief with the herbals, but have with good diet, vitamins, and in my case, not eating any diary or read meat (only fish). Lots of antioxidants and veggies.

Methotrexate did not work with me, and made me sick. Many have great results. Be sure and stay away from sick people, you'll get a cold with a sneeze.

I wish I had been more aggresive, early on, but I was hoping for better drugs. You are in luck here, with the genetic drugs available now (Enbrel etc.). But, unfortunately, there is no cure.

Best thing you can do is be healthy, exercise as you can etc. Make sure you have a good RA doc - this is my biggest regret, after two losers and the diet helping, I quit going. Then no one would want to see me (no history)!

Best wishes,
M

Thanks for the replies. Funny how in all the books they say that it might be best to not eat meat, since I am a vegetarian and seems like people are always saying that I need to eat meat. I love fruits and veggies too!
Glad to hear you aren't in a wheel chair and it sounds like you have a positive attitude which helps not only yourself but others like me too!