jess

86spider, I'm new to all this so please be patient. I was diagnosed with Rheumatiod Arthritis @ 18. I entered the AF and almost a year later was diagnosed. No health problems my entire life I had never even been to the doc's but for well checks. Anyway, they now don't know what kind of arthitis I have. One year it's rheumatiod the next soriatic (I've never had a rash). The doc's say it does not mater but it does to me so I have been trying to find out what kind I have. I'm taking enbrell now it works good. Even took it during pregnancy. I'm now 33. OK, while looking I have noticed a lot of AF vets have arthrits. There is a type of arthritis called REACTIVE arthritis. It is caused by bacteria (and other ways) but it was not possible for me to get it any other way. You can get bacteria in your colon that can cause arthritis. If you have anything eles wrong like IBS. You may want to look into this. I'm sure all your pain is related to arthritis. I have no advice for you on how to convince the VA. I can't seem to word my claim right to get them to look at what needs to be looked at. Good Luck, Jess