I am on NSAID, Methotrexate, Prednisone and Plaquenil for my RA. But lately I have been getting alot of small infections. My big toe, a hangnail on my thumb and ear infection. I have all three right now at the same time. It seems that any little scratch or cut I get it gets infected. Is there any thing that I can do so they will not become infected? I was going to start to use antiseptic soaps instead of just regular soap. I don’t Rknow if that is going to work or not.

What’s the difference between Zero Positive R.A and Zero Negative R.A. What repercussions does these two have over joints?

I have been with sciatic nerve pain for 7 months, from the lower back through the left leg…I have taken numerous drugs and steroid shots and nothing seems to help. I have the Rheumatoid Factor positive (17) but then the bone scan does not demonstrate joint degeneration. What else could it be? Does the Rheumatoid Factor only diagnose RA?

I have been told that I have rheumatoid nodules on the top of my feet next to my ankles does that mean that I will have bone deformity? can I get them under control? and does that mean they are in my lungs too?

I have heard there can be some kind of lung side affect of long term methrotraze. Can you tell me anything about this. I have had a long term cough and can’t seen to get rid of it. I have been on this medicine for over ten years, along with other medication.

I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and was told that my lungs are effected. I was told that my lungs had a lot of scar tissue in them. I forgot what medical term was used for this. I was told that they had to control my arthritis so that my lungs dont get so bad that I wont be able to get enough air in them. I have looked all over the internet that I can think of to find information about the lungs concerning this and cant find anything more than that it can affect the heart and lungs, inside and out. Can you tell me how I can get information on this.