The last two weeks have been bad., I have the myasthenia , but luckily not terrbly, mostly my eyes and face and fatigue., but now they say I have rheumatoid arthritis, my hands wrists and fingers are so painful , swollen and hot, it is almost to the point of incapaciting me.,especially at work., they are doing some blood work and testing., my physician says sometimes with one autoimmune disease another will follow. Anyone else have this happen. I am afraid I am not going to be able to work.

Well, that sucks! I'm sorry you have one more disease.

I have MG and celiac disease. Lots of other people have more than one.

How did they diagnose you? Antibodies? X-rays? Clinical exam? Please make sure it is "ONLY" arthritis.

I hope you will go see a rheumatologist, since they are the ones who deal with the inflammatory disease. There are a lot of things you can do as far as food and supplements for arthritis. Omega 3's like fish oil, flax oil, nuts, chia seeds, etc. will help with inflammation. Foods like eggs, beef, dairy and soy have been long known to increase inflammation.

Lyprinol is an anti-inflammatory made from mussels that has been proven to help inflammation. D-Ripose has been shown to help with both MG and inflammation, however, it is not without side effects and you should go over any new drug or supplement with your doctor. You could have interactions with any drugs you are taking now or any conditions you have.

It doesn't mean you can't work. You really need to be assessed by a rheumie first, to figure out how advanced things are, etc. They are so thorough in looking patients over. They actually look at the skin, nails, tissue, joints and anything that will help them help you. Try to find one in a specialized group, like a rheumatology group not in an HMO.

I really hope you can live well with RA. Oh, and make sure they check your vitamin D levels if they haven't already!


Annie

Well crud...I'm sorry you've been so uncomfortable. Have they offered you any relief for the RA....or referred you to a rheumy? I hope you can find something that works well enough for you that you can keep working if that's your wish. Do I remember right...are you a teacher?

My husband has had autoimmune arthritis since his teens. In his 30's, he was in so much pain and could barely hobble around the house. I thought he would end up an invalid. Then a rheumatologist prescribed a TNF inhibitor and he's like a new man.

He doesn't have MG, and I don't know anything about the interaction of MG with RA or RA drugs. I just wanted to give you some hope regarding your RA diagnosis.

Tatia

I have Arthritus as well as MG. The type of Arthritus has not be diagnosed as yet. My fingers on both hands are twisting and becoming mis-shapen. My doctor seems loathe to investigate , probably because it was not too painful until the last few weeks.

My Doctor sent me for blood work for alot of things, including lupus, gout, rheumetoid etc., He feels it is the rheumatoid by seeing and exam., he gave me a medication called Mopec, and a Gel I must rub in 4 times a day and a Medrol pack, till all the blood work comes back.

He also advised he would be sending me to a Rheumatologist.

Did you mean Mobic?

http://www.medicinenet.com/meloxicam/article.htm

Please read all the info carefully. I don't know what other drugs you are on or if you have high blood pressure but you really have to read about drugs before you take them.

Be careful with the steroids. I'm sure you know that it could make your MG worse right away.

That was good info, Geode.

Seamus, Go see a rheumatologist! They'll take care of you right away.

WW, I hope you'll get the relief you need to keep on working. There are alternative medications, which you might want to ask a rheumy about. And if you haven't thought of it, adding flax or fish oil or other good omegas into your diet (like walnuts), that would help somewhat.

Annie

I work with the developmentally disable, I am a secretary, so I do alot with my hands.....................financially i need to work., but I also have a disabled husband at home whose disabilities are worsening, so I have to make some choices very soon, .......