Had RA for most of my adult life but was finally correctly diagnosed in Jan 2004. I take MTX, 17.5 mg. once a week; Folic Acid, 1 mg. once a day; Prednisone, down to 3mg. per day from 10mg; and Enbrel, 50mg. once a week. For the past year or so, I’ve had a type of intermittent, recurring rash. It started on the very ends of my toes and the backs of my ankles, then started on my upper arms and nowhere else. It itches badly (at times) and looks like insect bites although I’m not around insects at all to my knowledge. My PCP told me it was dry skin and treated it with a steroid cream. This didn’t help at all and, of course the rash went away, as always and then returned later on. Its not only embarassing but is causing some worry because I don’t know what’s wrong. Is this related to RA? Would any of my meds cause it? I also take Diovan and Procardia for blood pressure, Lexapro for depression, Neurontin for RLS, Boniva once monthly for Osteoporosis, 1600 mg. Calcium/Vitamin D, and a multi vitamin. Please help if you can. I’m at my wits end.

It has been about one week since the flare of my RA start settling down and my left hip is still realy sore. When I walk my feet point outward. It never did that before. When I walk the top of my legs don’t rub together any more. I think my legs are turning out. Could these be sings of joint damage to my hip?

I have been having severe ankle and leg pains for some time. My Dr. ordered a series of bloodwork testing, including RA. RA Factor/RA Latex Turboid was 13.2. I was diagnosed with Arthritis at 23 years old and told the type of Arthritis I have could turn into RA. I am now 60 years old. Should this be of concern to me?

Prior to a car accident in which I was a passenger in March of 2000, I had no symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis, nor does my family have any history of RA. A doctor in my medical clinic at the time indicated that the car accident may have triggered or brought on the RA . I have also read in a natural health remedy manual that I have at home that an injury can bring on RA. I would like to know if you have found any documentation that also supports this or if you can provide me with any other information that would back this up.

About 10 weeks ago I had a sudden onset of symptoms resembling RA that involve almost all of my joints. My rheumatologist say that the blood work does not show anything, and the symptoms may be identical to a virus or it could be a neurologists’ area. How fast can be the damage to joints? In case of uncertainty, how frequent the monitoring should be? I was told to come in another 6 weeks.

Can trauma be considered a possible cause of RA?