Comments on: Seeing RA under every stone

By: Eileen

Eileen — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:32:07 +0000

Late to the party as usual me – but it could just as well have been polymyalgia rheumatica, which is basically pretty much like RA without the joint damage. I had it for 5 years then it got REALLY bad and 6 months later a course of steroids had me back to nearly normal in about 6 hours (typical of PMR). No cure, only management with longterm lowish dose (below 12.5mg, hopefully less) prednisolone until it decides it will go away (or the underlying autoimmune bit at least) and it doesn’t often go into remission for some time. Doctors are hopeless about it and there are no 100% tests, just raised ESR and CRP and a fifth of us don’t even get that. It has a close relation, giant cell arteritis – you can go blind with that.
But planting the idea there are other things that can and do present like that – I’m all for it. Then it’s up to them…

PS – like the blog, just catching up on the history

By: Helen

Helen — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:39:02 +0000

Hi Polly,

I see RA everywhere too, but like you, I’m never sure whether I should say anything. So far, I haven’t.

Sometimes when I see someone who quite clearly has some kind of chronic health issue, I really want to reach out to them. I saw a girl about my age who very obviously had scoliosis. I almost wanted to give her a hug. I didn’t, of course!

By: pollyannapenguin

pollyannapenguin — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:09:05 +0000

I guess I’m just too British – don’t want to go poking my nose in, probably wrong, don’t want to worry anyone unnecessarily etc. etc. )

By: Wren

Wren — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:03:49 +0000

I don’t think you’re being silly at all, Polly. While I’m sure many of the symptoms of RA show up in other disorders and diseases, when someone mentions them the way you’ve heard, it’s natural to equate them with your own circumstances. Mentioning it to others (as a way of being helpful and compassionate) can’t hurt, can it? And you can always choose to keep your thoughts to yourself, depending on the individual.

I’ve run across a few people over the years with symptoms that compare to mine, and when RA hasn’t been in their field of inquiry, I’ve brought it up. Hey, why not? Can’t hurt — and if they DO have it, maybe you’ve just saved them several years of diagnosis dancing. You’ve done some good.

Hope you’re feeling better today. Just one more day to Bday and pressies. Do have fun!