I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis when I was 19. Some forms are genetic, and Rheumatologists suspect that some forms are actually contracted by a virus. I was the lucky SOB who got an old man's disease at 19.

The first couple of years were awful. I gained like 100 lbs from the steriods and the lack of exercise and because I ate to dull the pain. (don't ask...made sense at the time). I'm 10 years later and I still have only worked about 50 of the 100 lbs off, making me much less attractive than I used to be.

You'll have good days and bad days, but I am posting to tell you....THIS DISEASE CAN BE CONTROLLED! Diet, exercise (moderate with goodly amounts of weight lifting), and the right meds can make you feel about 85-90% of what you used to feel. You'll never feel 100% well, but you will approach normal...which is better than I ever hoped for during my first year with the disease.

If you want to chat more about it, PM me. I am happy to share my experience with you, and point you in the right direction for help.

Best of luck to you!

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Life is too short not to love and be loved....preferably multiple times in one night.

I think men talk to women so they can sleep with them and women sleep with men so they can talk to them. ~ Jay McInerney