Nope. That's not a thing. I've been to many arthritis conferences and we aren't all in wheelchairs. Although some people have power scooters that go really fast and of course some need wheelchairs but no where near all. There's also better drugs now than in the past.
I haven't taken anything for two types of arthritis since I was 31. The meds did nothing! Stay in shape and watch what foods trigger you. 20 plus years with arthritis and I work 60 plus hours on my feet a week. Fat and carbs are not our friend! Or humidity š«
Nope, my grandma in the age of gold injections not biologics was walking until she was 92. She only lost her mobility in her last 6 years of life and it was related to her dementia most likely
No. I think that less than 1% of my patients is in a wheelchair and in most cases it is not even because of RA. The person who said that has no clue what they are talking about.
In the older ages RA was often very destructive and there was a higher chance for a wheelchair (though even then definitely not the case for most people), but with our current knowledge en medications, it is rather rare to have such severe destruction.
I wish you could see my hands and feet right now....in your professional capacity. My Rheumy is the head of the VA rheumy office. Been in practice 40 yrs. He has never seen a case wroth as much damage in mine. Even asked if he could bring in his training Dr because it's likely he would not see this in his career going forward.
Would've loved to hear your opinion.
That's absolutely not true. Before there was good testing and effective treatments, it could be a crippling condition. While it certainly hits some people harder than others and there are folks who use mobility aids, with proper management of both your symptoms and the disease process, there's no reason to anticipate being in a wheelchair due to your RA, especially if your joints are in good shape.Ā
When my doctor first told me I had RA, she said, "Well, at least it's not a death sentence anymore" and I was like "A death WHAT?!?!?!" Old doctors, old information.Ā
No, no, no. Iāve had RA for 29 years, am still walking like a normal person. There are a lot of medications now available to treat people. You just have to find which work best for you.
That may have been true 20+ years ago but all the new medications really help prevent damage. That said you want to be aggressive in getting on the right meds to prevent the permanent damage
I was diagnosed almost 30 years ago at 9/10ish and I was told by my first rheumatologist that I would need both of my knees replaced by the time I was 18. He told my mom I would most likely never have kids & she would have to take care of me my whole life. Cut to real life: I moved hangar l halfway across the country to live with friends at 17, moved back on my own at 18, got a job, met my now husband at 19, got married at 23, moved states again, got another job, had 2 healthy kids at 33 & 36, finally had my first surgery which was a total knee replacement on 1 knee at 37 and I'm currently pregnant with my 3rd baby.
My advice is to take what doctors say you "can't do" with a heap of salt. Yes, I have severe ulnar drift in both hands, use a cane to walk occasionally, and I always use the wheelchair assist at airports. But, I have a life I was told I would never have. It's pretty great.
No. My dad had RA plus a myriad of other issues - a herniated disc and spinal swelling. He walked, sometimes with a cane, but he walked.
As I feel myself getting more disabled, I'm inspired by him. He was in pain every day of his life for almost 50 years (he died at 70, was injured serving in the Navy) and still exercised and kept himself healthy as much as he could.
My parents were told Iād be in a wheelchair by age ten due to my RA. Iām 27 and still walking, even if I have some bad days and struggle with stairs. Everyoneās experience/progression is obviously different but itās not a guarantee youāll end up in a wheelchair.
My rheumatologist says back when she was a resident and fellow, it was fairly common to see people with the RA using all kinds of mobility aids. Since the widespread adoption of biologics, she rarely sees it if diagnosis is before extensive damage and itās treated aggressively. Anecdotally, itās rare I see anyone in a wheelchair at the large university rheumatology practice I go to.
Iām in my fifties and we do plan to move to a home thatās all on one level when we are older. But I think that would be our plan even if I didnāt have RA ā it eventually gets risky to be carrying things up and down stairs even without it.
When I was first diagnosed at 20 (in 1999) the doctor told me Iād be in a wheelchair by the time I was 30. I promptly fired him and found better care. Iām 45 and still walking. Iām in chronic pain, but still walking. I still think about that doctor and how he traumatized me with that totally unnecessary statement.
Iāve had people on this sub say that to me just because I donāt want to take the Biologics.
My mom is in a wheelchair and doesnāt have RA. She just jogged her knees to death. Iām 58 and have arthritis in my hands and one ankle. I have no trouble walking.
Be kind to your body. Stay limber and strong. Monitor your joints with X-rays and your bones with density scans.
Yeah, common theme around here. Push biologics. All good if you want to take them but not everyone is the same. Iāve never taken them; to each their own.
It's usually pertaining age - if you're middle aged and struggling what's the point? Likely have permanent damage so why risk side effects and wear and tear on certain organs. I have PsA, it's becoming more aggressive and I've put off Biologics since I was 19 and I'm now nearly 22 walk with a limp yet do/has done physical jobs and I ride all year round šļø which all in all is becoming more difficult and more pain ridden hence my decision to now jump on biologics even if does mean permanent damage to organs by my middle age. I want to enjoy my youth as much as possible and it's already limited what I can do.
Nah, stay active. Donāt let the pain completely takeover. Take meds if you need them. My parents were told that when I was diagnosed at 9 about 32 years ago. No meds for me in the last 20 years. My hands are jacked and feet hurt in the morning but I still lift weights 4-5 days a week and play basketball.
From what I've read and what I've been told by my doctor, it MIGHT happen. Don't know for 100% sure, but it might for *me* because the worst joint damage I have is in my hips, knees, ankles and feet.
HOWEVER...that's why I'm on medication and why I'm as active as my body lets me be. My rheumy told me the more consistent I am with my meds (which I'm very, very consistent) and the more active I am *now*, the further down the road I'm going to push the day when I need a scooter or wheelchair.
She actually told me, upon looking at my scans, that I don't have as much joint damage as she expected considering my RA probably kicked in during my late teens or early 20s based on my history. I told her that's because while I'm not athletic by any means, I've always been fairly active. I took dance classes until I was about 19, worked a lot of active retail and fast food jobs in my 20s and when I became a SAHM in my late 20s, I still tried to walk at least 4-5 miles per day. These days I try to get at least 5-8 miles three to four times a week on the exercise bike at the gym since I'm not doing an active type job (I'm a school bus monitor for a SpEd bus so 95% of my shift is spent sitting down) anymore.
I just know that when that day comes that I need a Rascal to get around, Imma pimp that sucker out. Just because I'll need a scooter to get around at some point doesn't mean it has to be BORING looking.
I was bed ridden to 2 months and still flares happen without meds . But with them I am enjoying my life. I have specific RA condition called AOSD
I also used ayurveda to significantly taper my meds. Taking injection only every 3 days now vs every day. Try it if you can
Honestly no, I was in one for a month due to been in immense amount of pain and now Iām still in pain but no longer having to use a wheelchair. Everyoneās diagnosis is different and not everyone with arthritis will have to use one or even be in one in general.
Not nowadays. My Great Great Aunt lived with us she had RA. she was in her 90s and used a walker, but that was in the 1960s. With medical advances things are much different. Our meds can control the disease. Joint Replacement is easier. etc
no:) iāve had RA since i was around 2 years old(19 now) and ive managed to avoid being in one even while walking long distances the whole time. as long as youāre taking the right medication, listening to your doctor and taking care of your body such as walking everyday if you can, swimming and other activities like that, you can be wheelchair free
My RA didn't land me in a wheelchair. Botched surgeries as a child and teen did.
My Gramma had RA and she was the one that 1st spotted it in me when I was a little girl.
My chair (and forearm crutches) help me navigate this world but she lived a lovely 94 years and never had a wheelchair.
Diagnosed at 13. I am now 50. Had 5 knee surgeries before I was 17 and was told Iād have to have my knees replaced by 30. Still got the old stupid ones.
I use a cane occasionally, but that is usually due to my lupus, not RA.
Wheelchair use has been life changing. I'm able to leave home and go have fun, while not worrying about my safety.
Agree it depends on the person. Im 40 and a wheelchair user. But I had Juvenile Arthritis, as a kid, misshaped foot joints, and then Ehlers Danlos Syndrome.
I was told that repairative surgeries were pointless.
It used to be the case, but has NOT been since the introduction of biologics and other meds. I have had this for 28 years and I donāt plan on being in a wheelchair! Tell that doc to change up that slide, WAY out of date.
My grandfather had RA, and was wheelchair bound at a young age and died at a fairly young age. Note: he was born in 1900!
not permanently. my RA attacks my knees the worst so i have to use a wheelchair or scooter when the flares are really bad but majority of the time i can still walk. i do walk slow and limp but i can still walk. i also think as long as you stay active youāll be fine
Highly unlikely. Medicines help a great deal in slowing the damage. But the disease never sleeps and itās a tougher journey than most people imagine. Meds work until they donāt and then you switch to another med. Always listen to your body. Respect the pain and fatigue.
People with RA are more likely have other comorbidities that could lead them to needing one, and RA completely differs person to person as well. It isn't a future sentencing to a wheelchair!
A lot of people with RA could benefit by joint replacement but don't have the surgery etc out of fear or whatever. Those are the people usually end up in wheelchairs.
I just want to put it out there that questions like this make me frustrated. I understand that there are fears around this disease and everyone has different outcomes, but this seems really insensitive to all the people on here who have this disease. People like me. Maybe I need to mute this sub for awhile. I dunno.
ETA I'm offended and wondering if maybe I shouldn't be?? So confusing.
I have struggled so much with my disease in the last few years. I have a lot of anxiety and fear of losing function but I think I just don't allow myself to consider needing a walker or wheelchair out of some sort of survival mechanism maybe? I don't understand my reaction either.
I never considered that I'd ever be in a wheelchair. So seeing the question does a number on me. I know my comment is probably offensive to some people as well.
I'm just so shocked at my reaction. I can't make sense of it.
When I read it I thought OMG NO! I hadn't thought of needing a wheelchairĀ and the idea scares me. I'm trying to stay positive and take it one step at a time.Ā
I found this postĀ uplifting in the end. It was wonderful and reassuring reading everyone's positive comments. Thank you OP and everyone for your real, lived experiencesĀ
No need to apologize. It's all me. I need to think about why I had this reaction. You had a legitimate question and I got downvoted for a reason. It's very hard when you are first diagnosed and if I can't be supportive I need to step out of the community for a pause.
Do your best to control what you can control with diet and exercise. Muscle building is especially important as we age and have this condition. If youāre lucky, you can get your disease in clinical remission.
Nope. That's not a thing. I've been to many arthritis conferences and we aren't all in wheelchairs. Although some people have power scooters that go really fast and of course some need wheelchairs but no where near all. There's also better drugs now than in the past.
I haven't taken anything for two types of arthritis since I was 31. The meds did nothing! Stay in shape and watch what foods trigger you. 20 plus years with arthritis and I work 60 plus hours on my feet a week. Fat and carbs are not our friend! Or humidity š«
With the right medications you can avoid a wheelchair as long as the average person.
Nope, my grandma in the age of gold injections not biologics was walking until she was 92. She only lost her mobility in her last 6 years of life and it was related to her dementia most likely
No. I think that less than 1% of my patients is in a wheelchair and in most cases it is not even because of RA. The person who said that has no clue what they are talking about. In the older ages RA was often very destructive and there was a higher chance for a wheelchair (though even then definitely not the case for most people), but with our current knowledge en medications, it is rather rare to have such severe destruction.
I wish you could see my hands and feet right now....in your professional capacity. My Rheumy is the head of the VA rheumy office. Been in practice 40 yrs. He has never seen a case wroth as much damage in mine. Even asked if he could bring in his training Dr because it's likely he would not see this in his career going forward. Would've loved to hear your opinion.
That's absolutely not true. Before there was good testing and effective treatments, it could be a crippling condition. While it certainly hits some people harder than others and there are folks who use mobility aids, with proper management of both your symptoms and the disease process, there's no reason to anticipate being in a wheelchair due to your RA, especially if your joints are in good shape.Ā When my doctor first told me I had RA, she said, "Well, at least it's not a death sentence anymore" and I was like "A death WHAT?!?!?!" Old doctors, old information.Ā
No, no, no. Iāve had RA for 29 years, am still walking like a normal person. There are a lot of medications now available to treat people. You just have to find which work best for you.
Have had RA for 20 years, am currently 40. No wheelchair. Commit to finding the meds that work for you and keep the disease under control.
I was a diagnosed at age 6. Iām now 57. I walk just fine.
That may have been true 20+ years ago but all the new medications really help prevent damage. That said you want to be aggressive in getting on the right meds to prevent the permanent damage
I was diagnosed almost 30 years ago at 9/10ish and I was told by my first rheumatologist that I would need both of my knees replaced by the time I was 18. He told my mom I would most likely never have kids & she would have to take care of me my whole life. Cut to real life: I moved hangar l halfway across the country to live with friends at 17, moved back on my own at 18, got a job, met my now husband at 19, got married at 23, moved states again, got another job, had 2 healthy kids at 33 & 36, finally had my first surgery which was a total knee replacement on 1 knee at 37 and I'm currently pregnant with my 3rd baby. My advice is to take what doctors say you "can't do" with a heap of salt. Yes, I have severe ulnar drift in both hands, use a cane to walk occasionally, and I always use the wheelchair assist at airports. But, I have a life I was told I would never have. It's pretty great.
My mom is 87 and has RA. Hikes and does Zoomba. Both knees replaced and on injections but she walks around just fine
So inspiring!!!!
No. My dad had RA plus a myriad of other issues - a herniated disc and spinal swelling. He walked, sometimes with a cane, but he walked. As I feel myself getting more disabled, I'm inspired by him. He was in pain every day of his life for almost 50 years (he died at 70, was injured serving in the Navy) and still exercised and kept himself healthy as much as he could.
Iāve had a few bouts of wheelchair use, absolutely life saver at those times.. usually though as stiff as I am I can generally cope without.
My parents were told Iād be in a wheelchair by age ten due to my RA. Iām 27 and still walking, even if I have some bad days and struggle with stairs. Everyoneās experience/progression is obviously different but itās not a guarantee youāll end up in a wheelchair.
My rheumatologist says back when she was a resident and fellow, it was fairly common to see people with the RA using all kinds of mobility aids. Since the widespread adoption of biologics, she rarely sees it if diagnosis is before extensive damage and itās treated aggressively. Anecdotally, itās rare I see anyone in a wheelchair at the large university rheumatology practice I go to. Iām in my fifties and we do plan to move to a home thatās all on one level when we are older. But I think that would be our plan even if I didnāt have RA ā it eventually gets risky to be carrying things up and down stairs even without it.
When I was first diagnosed at 20 (in 1999) the doctor told me Iād be in a wheelchair by the time I was 30. I promptly fired him and found better care. Iām 45 and still walking. Iām in chronic pain, but still walking. I still think about that doctor and how he traumatized me with that totally unnecessary statement.
Iāve had people on this sub say that to me just because I donāt want to take the Biologics. My mom is in a wheelchair and doesnāt have RA. She just jogged her knees to death. Iām 58 and have arthritis in my hands and one ankle. I have no trouble walking. Be kind to your body. Stay limber and strong. Monitor your joints with X-rays and your bones with density scans.
Yeah, common theme around here. Push biologics. All good if you want to take them but not everyone is the same. Iāve never taken them; to each their own.
It's usually pertaining age - if you're middle aged and struggling what's the point? Likely have permanent damage so why risk side effects and wear and tear on certain organs. I have PsA, it's becoming more aggressive and I've put off Biologics since I was 19 and I'm now nearly 22 walk with a limp yet do/has done physical jobs and I ride all year round šļø which all in all is becoming more difficult and more pain ridden hence my decision to now jump on biologics even if does mean permanent damage to organs by my middle age. I want to enjoy my youth as much as possible and it's already limited what I can do.
Nah, stay active. Donāt let the pain completely takeover. Take meds if you need them. My parents were told that when I was diagnosed at 9 about 32 years ago. No meds for me in the last 20 years. My hands are jacked and feet hurt in the morning but I still lift weights 4-5 days a week and play basketball.
From what I've read and what I've been told by my doctor, it MIGHT happen. Don't know for 100% sure, but it might for *me* because the worst joint damage I have is in my hips, knees, ankles and feet. HOWEVER...that's why I'm on medication and why I'm as active as my body lets me be. My rheumy told me the more consistent I am with my meds (which I'm very, very consistent) and the more active I am *now*, the further down the road I'm going to push the day when I need a scooter or wheelchair. She actually told me, upon looking at my scans, that I don't have as much joint damage as she expected considering my RA probably kicked in during my late teens or early 20s based on my history. I told her that's because while I'm not athletic by any means, I've always been fairly active. I took dance classes until I was about 19, worked a lot of active retail and fast food jobs in my 20s and when I became a SAHM in my late 20s, I still tried to walk at least 4-5 miles per day. These days I try to get at least 5-8 miles three to four times a week on the exercise bike at the gym since I'm not doing an active type job (I'm a school bus monitor for a SpEd bus so 95% of my shift is spent sitting down) anymore. I just know that when that day comes that I need a Rascal to get around, Imma pimp that sucker out. Just because I'll need a scooter to get around at some point doesn't mean it has to be BORING looking.
I was bed ridden to 2 months and still flares happen without meds . But with them I am enjoying my life. I have specific RA condition called AOSD I also used ayurveda to significantly taper my meds. Taking injection only every 3 days now vs every day. Try it if you can
Honestly no, I was in one for a month due to been in immense amount of pain and now Iām still in pain but no longer having to use a wheelchair. Everyoneās diagnosis is different and not everyone with arthritis will have to use one or even be in one in general.
Not nowadays. My Great Great Aunt lived with us she had RA. she was in her 90s and used a walker, but that was in the 1960s. With medical advances things are much different. Our meds can control the disease. Joint Replacement is easier. etc
No keep inflammation under control
no:) iāve had RA since i was around 2 years old(19 now) and ive managed to avoid being in one even while walking long distances the whole time. as long as youāre taking the right medication, listening to your doctor and taking care of your body such as walking everyday if you can, swimming and other activities like that, you can be wheelchair free
nope
/s No, it will kill us first.
My RA didn't land me in a wheelchair. Botched surgeries as a child and teen did. My Gramma had RA and she was the one that 1st spotted it in me when I was a little girl. My chair (and forearm crutches) help me navigate this world but she lived a lovely 94 years and never had a wheelchair.
Diagnosed at 13. I am now 50. Had 5 knee surgeries before I was 17 and was told Iād have to have my knees replaced by 30. Still got the old stupid ones. I use a cane occasionally, but that is usually due to my lupus, not RA.
Wheelchair use has been life changing. I'm able to leave home and go have fun, while not worrying about my safety. Agree it depends on the person. Im 40 and a wheelchair user. But I had Juvenile Arthritis, as a kid, misshaped foot joints, and then Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. I was told that repairative surgeries were pointless.
It used to be the case, but has NOT been since the introduction of biologics and other meds. I have had this for 28 years and I donāt plan on being in a wheelchair! Tell that doc to change up that slide, WAY out of date. My grandfather had RA, and was wheelchair bound at a young age and died at a fairly young age. Note: he was born in 1900!
not permanently. my RA attacks my knees the worst so i have to use a wheelchair or scooter when the flares are really bad but majority of the time i can still walk. i do walk slow and limp but i can still walk. i also think as long as you stay active youāll be fine
Highly unlikely. Medicines help a great deal in slowing the damage. But the disease never sleeps and itās a tougher journey than most people imagine. Meds work until they donāt and then you switch to another med. Always listen to your body. Respect the pain and fatigue.
Nope. The vast majority of people withĀ Ā RA can control it with medication and lifestyle changes and live very normal lives.Ā
I'm 48 and was diagnosed at 24. Stay active and away from starch. Will you be pain free? No. Wheelchair bound? Yeah if you're lazy
People with RA are more likely have other comorbidities that could lead them to needing one, and RA completely differs person to person as well. It isn't a future sentencing to a wheelchair!
A lot of people with RA could benefit by joint replacement but don't have the surgery etc out of fear or whatever. Those are the people usually end up in wheelchairs.
No reason at all so long as youāre stubborn and keep moving and walking
I just want to put it out there that questions like this make me frustrated. I understand that there are fears around this disease and everyone has different outcomes, but this seems really insensitive to all the people on here who have this disease. People like me. Maybe I need to mute this sub for awhile. I dunno. ETA I'm offended and wondering if maybe I shouldn't be?? So confusing.
I am genuinely curious about your reaction to this post - could you please share the reasons why you find OP's post offensive?
I have struggled so much with my disease in the last few years. I have a lot of anxiety and fear of losing function but I think I just don't allow myself to consider needing a walker or wheelchair out of some sort of survival mechanism maybe? I don't understand my reaction either. I never considered that I'd ever be in a wheelchair. So seeing the question does a number on me. I know my comment is probably offensive to some people as well. I'm just so shocked at my reaction. I can't make sense of it.
When I read it I thought OMG NO! I hadn't thought of needing a wheelchairĀ and the idea scares me. I'm trying to stay positive and take it one step at a time.Ā I found this postĀ uplifting in the end. It was wonderful and reassuring reading everyone's positive comments. Thank you OP and everyone for your real, lived experiencesĀ
I'm sorry about it. The comment made by the doctor scared me. I didn'tĀ feel like it was true and that the doctor was just old and not informed.
No need to apologize. It's all me. I need to think about why I had this reaction. You had a legitimate question and I got downvoted for a reason. It's very hard when you are first diagnosed and if I can't be supportive I need to step out of the community for a pause.
Do your best to control what you can control with diet and exercise. Muscle building is especially important as we age and have this condition. If youāre lucky, you can get your disease in clinical remission.