Hi, I'm new to the forum

c4thyg · 1. Jul 2009, 08:41

Hi everyone, I'm Cathy, 32 years and mum to Megan, 2. I've just found this forum and I'm slowly working my way through lots of the posts as I have so many questions. I used to be a medical researcher but being on the patient side of things is very different.

I developed psoriatic arthritis 3 years ago when I was pregnant and it has got worse every year since affecting more and more joints. it's now quicker to say what isn't affected!! I also have psoriasis and a rare blood condition immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) all of which are autoimmune diseases. I seem to be collecting them! Since finding out about the ITP, which destroys the platelets in my blood preventing me from clotting, I haven't been able to take my trusted anti-inflammatories. I was on very high doses of steroids for the last 6 months to get my blood under control and since stopping them I'm finding that the PsA is much much worse. In fact work have just sacked me because I've been off sick for 7 months!!

I came onto this forum looking for info about the tnf blockers as I've been approved to go onto Humira. The side effects scare me a little but I'm running out of options as many drugs for RA don't work on PsA (rituximab, azathioprine) and others make my blood condition worse (Methotrexate, anti-inflammatories). I'm feeling a bit stuck and would love to know more about other people's experiences with the anti-tnf drugs. In particular I'm worried about infection as I have a 2 year old who brings everything home. Thankfully, she's already got chicken pox out of the way!!

Well that's a bit about me. I'll probably start posting soon but in the meantime I'll be reading old posts so I don't repeat too many things. If you read this far, thank you.

frogmorton · 1. Jul 2009, 08:47

Hi Cathy
Welcome to the forum from me!!!
You do sound rather special!!

That blood thingy sounds like a proper pain :roll: Poor you! I have a blood thingy which makes me clot too much.
There are a fair few people on here on humira so you should get some advice from them before too long.
There are also lots of Mums with very young kids so you should be in for loads of support!
You have a look arouind and hope to see you posting!

Take care
Toni xx

debsmartin · 1. Jul 2009, 09:32

Hello Cathy and welcome, sorry I can't help with the Anti TNF but I'm sure you will get loads of help on the forum

debs

c4thyg · 1. Jul 2009, 10:02

Toni,
The blood thing is a bit odd in my family. There are 2 other blood clotting disorders in my family that are genetic and they both cause clotting. My father and brother have factor V Leiden and from my grandfather and his wife, my grandmother had protein S deficiency (I think). Some of my aunts have unfortunately inherited both. I don't think my grandparents should have been allowed to meet.

Then of course I'm told that I need a clotting screen and I keep telling them that I didn't inherit it. Turns out I'm a drip and they're all clots!!

suncatcher · 1. Jul 2009, 10:16

Hi there welcome to forum i am 38 and have ra for 4yrs and i have two kids 4 and 15 there are a few moms on here im sure you will hear from them also they are a friendly helpful buch from joanne

sharmaine · 1. Jul 2009, 10:47

Hi Cathy

Welcome to the forum. I'm sure you'll enjoy reading the posts in the forum. If you have a problem someone is sure to come up with a solution or a suggestion.

Your blood condition sounds tricky - you're so young too and with a daughter to keep you even more so.

Take care.
Sharmaine

c4thyg wrote:

Hi everyone, I'm Cathy, 32 years and mum to Megan, 2. I've just found this forum and I'm slowly working my way through lots of the posts as I have so many questions. I used to be a medical researcher but being on the patient side of things is very different.

I developed psoriatic arthritis 3 years ago when I was pregnant and it has got worse every year since affecting more and more joints. it's now quicker to say what isn't affected!! I also have psoriasis and a rare blood condition immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) all of which are autoimmune diseases. I seem to be collecting them! Since finding out about the ITP, which destroys the platelets in my blood preventing me from clotting, I haven't been able to take my trusted anti-inflammatories. I was on very high doses of steroids for the last 6 months to get my blood under control and since stopping them I'm finding that the PsA is much much worse. In fact work have just sacked me because I've been off sick for 7 months!!

I came onto this forum looking for info about the tnf blockers as I've been approved to go onto Humira. The side effects scare me a little but I'm running out of options as many drugs for RA don't work on PsA (rituximab, azathioprine) and others make my blood condition worse (Methotrexate, anti-inflammatories). I'm feeling a bit stuck and would love to know more about other people's experiences with the anti-tnf drugs. In particular I'm worried about infection as I have a 2 year old who brings everything home. Thankfully, she's already got chicken pox out of the way!!

Well that's a bit about me. I'll probably start posting soon but in the meantime I'll be reading old posts so I don't repeat too many things. If you read this far, thank you.

lindalegs · 1. Jul 2009, 12:23

Hi Cathy,

Welcome to the forum and posting. Glad to see you still have a sense of humour

There are people on here with PA and also on anti-TNF who should be able to help you. If you start another post headed Psoriatic Arthritis and Anti-TNF you'll probably get some direct responses from them.

You take care.

Luv Legs

woodbon · 1. Jul 2009, 12:38

Just popped in to say HELLO and welcome to the site. I have OA and carpel tunnel, so I can't help you but, I'm sure someone will soon answer who has the knowledge you need. This is a really nice friendly site and their are lots of useful types.

Have you tried phoneing the help line at the top of the page. They are very good.
Love Sue

breane · 1. Jul 2009, 12:49

Hi, Welcome from me too. :P You will get lots of helpful advice from members on this forum.I've not been a member long,only a few months but I've had loads of useful help and advice,everyone is so friendly. The best thing I did was to join this site and I'm sure it will be helpful to you too. Breane.x

c4thyg · 1. Jul 2009, 13:45

Thx everyone for being so welcoming. The last forum i looked at was so hostile that I posted my disapproval and left!!!

As for my sense of humour, it's not too bad on my good days. It's generally inversely related to my pain levels and I imagine most of you can relate to that. I find though that most people are so fed up of me saying I'm in pain that it helps to say it with a smile and a joke. it's hard to hide when you can't actually walk some days.

I look forward to getting to know you all. Cathy xx

woodbon · 1. Jul 2009, 17:15

Hi, At least on this site moans and rants, complaints about pain or docs or anything, are expected. Its the one place where you can say what you feel, usually you'll find plenty of people who have had that pain or worried about the same symptom! Thats one of the good things about using the forum, it gives you a place to talk.

I hope you enjoy using it and get as much from it as I do.

Love Sue

page35 · 1. Jul 2009, 17:39

Hi Cathy
i have RA, recently diagnosed so have no advice. sorry.
but wanted to say hi, i am 33 and i have a daughter whos 2 so we have something in common, i also have a 13yr old son.
everyone on here is great helped me loads.
take care
page

frogmorton · 2. Jul 2009, 02:10

c4thyg wrote:

Toni,
The blood thing is a bit odd in my family. There are 2 other blood clotting disorders in my family that are genetic and they both cause clotting. My father and brother have factor V Leiden and from my grandfather and his wife, my grandmother had protein S deficiency (I think). Some of my aunts have unfortunately inherited both. I don't think my grandparents should have been allowed to meet. Then of course I'm told that I need a clotting screen and I keep telling them that I didn't inherit it. Turns out I'm a drip and they're all clots!!

Hi Drip!!!
Does that make me a clot then?!! Brilliant and weird family!! If they had known I bet your Grandparenst might not have had kids eh? Good job they were in blissful ignorance!! I was told not to worry unless i have surgery. so I won't!!!
You take care
Toni x

elnafinn · 2. Jul 2009, 04:30

Hi Cathy

Welcome to the forum! Hope to see you posting more when you have had a read of other threads. It is a friendly, supportive site and can be rather addictive, as I have found out.

Take care,

Luv
Elna x

tkachev · 2. Jul 2009, 13:44

Hi Cathy
I just joined too from an unfriendly other forum.Just want to say welcome.I have 5 children,2 on autistic spectrum,one with a bowel problem so I have to keep motivated and moving.I have been on Humira since October and it has made a big difference to my life.I feel so much better.I worry about the germs and things that the kids bring home but generally I have been okay.Have suffered a few colds but nothing serious.

Hope you get some good advice.
Regards Tkachev

Hi, I'm new to the forum

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