6 monthly check at hospital yesterday....

widget
widget Member Posts: 22
edited 8. May 2010, 11:44 in Living with Arthritis archive
Well I went armed with the replies to my previous post and was told that :

1. My colds were not all down to the methotrexate as they are from the throat up, I could have an allergy to something!!!
2. went with a list of issues I had had since the last visit i.e weight increase, new areas hurting and was told that we were gong to try Sulphasalazine. Will this be in addition to the metho do you think? I wasnt quite sure after I left. I have to see my rhuemmy nurse in a few weeks to get sorted.

Maybe I shouldnt have gone with my list. I dont seem to be accepting that I have RA at 35 (I was diagnosed last year at 34). I live alone, have no friends and spend a lot of time with my elderly parents (who have been great, but I dont like to worry them!)

Does anyone have any ideas to help me out?

Widget :?

Comments

  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    No matter what age you are when diagnosed, it still comes as a shock. The horrid for thing for you is your youth, tho you are not the youngest on these forums. My heart goes out to you, I am so sorry.

    I am on both suplhasalazine and injected meth (with other stuff thrown in for good measure) so I suspect that you will have them at the same time. I have psoriatic arthritis (related to the skin condition psoriasis). I have only had one episode of psoriasis to date, in Oct 06, and in my case the sulph keeps that at bay. You will have a gradual introduction to it, one tablet once a day for a week, one tablet twice a day for a week, then two in the morning, one at night, for a week and so on, until you reach an effective dose. I think the maximum is three twice a day, but you can go higher, briefly, if required (or so I've been told). Initial side effects MAY include bruising and/or nausea. I had the former, massively, for about a month then it stopped. It does turn your wee a bright yellowy-orange colour (unavoidable) and it can stain soft contact lenses, so if you wear those you may have to find an alternative.

    Regarding friends and support, well, we're here! Arthritis Care also hold regular meetings in my area, and I am plucking up the courage to go along and meet fellow sufferers. I am a fairly private person, but my immediate family and friends have no idea what this is like. I need to find folk who do - and I must say that the support I have had from people on these forums has been superb. (I joined only 16 days ago.) Stick with us, we'll help. Dreamdaisy
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,900
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi widget

    Sorry you are having arough time :(

    accepting this is not an overnight thing is it :( I think you accept it a bit over time and then a bit more and have to work through all sorts of emotions before you get there from denial to anger to dispair etc.

    BUT to me the most important thing towards getting your head round all this IS talking - you dont want to worry your parents - I get that, but as Daisy says - you have us and she may well be right about trying one of the A/C groups so you can feel much less alone with all this.

    You take care and

    keep talking :D

    LOve

    Toni xx
  • speedalong
    speedalong Member Posts: 3,315
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Widget, welcome to the forum,

    I am sorry that life is so tough at the moment - I know it is hard to believe - but it wont always be like this. If you start reading the forum you will see for most of us we have UP times as well as the down times!!

    I have found this forum a godsend. It is possible to rant, rave, ask advice and share your epxeriences with lots of other people - in the same boat ... or even worse than you. This means you don't have to bottle it up or worry about over burdening family etc Although it is necessary to keep family informed so that they understand what you are going through. If you aren't honest they will probably much worse things ...

    I first was diagnosed with OA in my mid 20's - MAJOR shock and not at all what I wanted to hear. I had a THR at 30 - not at all what I wanted - but only option left. I had a spell with being reasonably ok and then things started to get worse on the other leg - now at age 43 I'm having another hip operation on Wed!! Also have OA starting in my knee ...

    Fnding a local group in your area would be a good idea - now that you have made the initial step of joining the forum. The helpline are very good too if you need to talk things through.

    Do you work? What are your interests and hobbies?

    Keep reading and posting!!

    Speedalong
    I have had OA since mid twenties. It affects my hips and knees. I had a THR on the left aged 30 and now have a resurface-replacement on the right - done May 2010.