Hello - New to this site and RA

katat1

Hi,
Just wanted to say hello. I found this site today and have browsed the forums and I know I will find lots of advice and support here. I hope in time I will be able to offer the same to future Newbies.

Recently diagnosed with early RA and have been fortunate to get an appointment with a very experienced rheumatologist within a short time of being referred by my GP.

Taking MTX, Hydroxychloroquine and Dicloflex for 5 weeks now and they seem to be helping, though I did have a steroid jab at the beginning which may be what is working for now while the drugs get a chance to kick in. Last blood tests show the ESR, ALT and CRP numbers have improved already and I am not having any side effects from the meds.

Vit D level was low and I was told this could make the pain worse and is also very common. I did not come across this when browsing today so just thought I would mention it in case others here are like me and did not know about this?

Best wishes to all
K

elnafinn

Hi Katat

Welcome to the forum. Great news that you have found a good, sympathetic rheumi. It makes all the difference doesn't it?

Thanks for mentioning about Vit D. This was mentioned on a thread fairly recently and peeps on here were interested.

Hope to see your name around the forum,

Look after yourself,

Elna x

katat1

Hi Elna,
Thank you for the welcome.
You are absolutely right - a good rheumatolgist makes a huge difference. Not just in helping me to understand the RA and the treatment but also confidence in that it can be managed well. It helps me to keep a positive attitude.
Unfortunately the nurse I have been assigned to, though pleasant enough, does none of those things. She always seems to be in a hurry to get through the session so I feel rushed and unsure of what to ask or what she has said in response to a question. Some of what she says is misleading at times. She wrote and said that blood tests showed my vitamin D to be 'very low' and in the letter said 'this may contribute to, or indeed account for your symptoms'.
I took that to mean that it might not be RA after all but when I spoke to her to ask if I should continue the RA meds she completely back tracked and said that was not what she meant. I then asked how low my vitamin D level was and she said 'borderline normal'
She said normal was 40+ and mine was 38.
So I have no confidence in the nurse at all, which makes it even more important that the consultant is so good.

I looked for the Vit D thread on here and somebody else had the same uncertainty as to whether it was RA or Vit D deficiency but I couldn't find anything further.

Thanks again for responding to my first intro message. It meant a lot to get a reply!

See you around and take care too.
K
x

Welcome to the forum. Great news that you have found a good, sympathetic rheumi. It makes all the difference doesn't it?

Thanks for mentioning about Vit D. This was mentioned on a thread fairly recently and peeps on here were interested.

Hope to see your name around the forum,

Look after yourself,

Elna x[/quote]

suncatcher

hi and welcome to the forum it is so good to have a good rhoumatolagist who under stands also this site is very good and very supportive hope to see you more on sit joanne i have Ra also

colinone

Hello K
Just thought i would drop you a line and say welcome to the site.
Colin

katat1

joanneprice wrote:

hi and welcome to the forum it is so good to have a good rhoumatolagist who under stands also this site is very good and very supportive hope to see you more on sit joanne i have Ra also

Hi Joanne,

Thank you for your welcome! I am already finding the site really helpful, lots of very informative posts.

Sorry to hear you have RA. Have you had it long and how are you doing? I have been fortunate in that mine was disgnosed early and treatment started quickly. My rheumatlogist is great - she really listens and discusses all aspects, doesn't treat me like a statistic but as a person. I am sure that is what helps me stay optimistic and positive. I hope yours is a good one too?
Kindest regards,
K

katat1

colinone wrote:

Hello K
Just thought i would drop you a line and say welcome to the site.
Colin

Hi Colin,
Many thanks for the welcome!
Kindest regards,
K