hiyaa...frustrated newbie...

hayleym17

hiyaaa everyone, im new to the website and the site in general so i dont really know what i am doing lol.

well ill start with abit about me and my arthritus.
I was diagnosed with arthritus 4 months ago at the age of 21. It came as abit of a shock because like most young people, i had the stereotypical view that arthritus was a condition suffered by the older generation.

I was used to be a active 21 year old, regulary going out with my friends at the weekend, going shopping with my sister and doing things that i enjoyed.
However, since being in pain i have become less and less active and feel demotivated. I feel that ding things in my life revolves around whether i am in pain or not and i sometimes feel that the condition is controlling my life.
Doing everyday tasks such a putting my hair bobble in or fastening my bra become a struggle and i am starting to get so frustrated with myself. I am starting to feel slightly depressed and i dont feel i have been given enough advice and help by my consultant, thats why i am so glad to have found this website as i have found many useful tips already.

Anyway, i am taking methotrxate at 15mg a week and after 4 months i am still feeling no benefit....is this normal???? i am startiing to worry that the medication is just not right for me ... any advice would be much appreciated
thanx
hayley x

jennac

Hi Am am Jenna and am 25 with Arthritis so i know what you mean about getting frustrated not being able to do stuff you normally would do such as bra's, Bobbles etc....

And also feeling really depressed and alone, Joining this site really helped me as everyone on here knows and has been through the same things and have lots of helpful advice.

I started on methotrexate about 5 months ago and it did take about 9/10 weeks before i felt any benefits at all.
Now my pain is really controlled and i feel so much happier.
I still get aches or stiffness sometimes in the mornings but its more manageable and less painful.

I would speak to your rheumatologist again and see what they think.

Are you on any other medication?

I am also on sulfasalazine and hydroxychloroquine as they work together with he Methotrexate


Hope you feel better soon x

frogmorton

Hi Hayley

Feeling 'ever so slightly drepressed' - is so not suprising :shock: not many other girls have this to contend with as well at your age, but if they do they are likely to be here

I would have hoped that you would have seen some improvement with your mtx by now - but that could be increased if rheumy says so...

Once your meds are sorted out and you feel less pain life will get more under control again for you. In time you will know your body and you linits way better than you do and will eb able to resume an awful lot of your life.

Chances are that at the moment you are doing what most of us do/have done and that's greiving for the pre-arthur life you had.

This is normal and you know - you have to be kind to yorself and let yourself wallow a tidge - after all is is a bit **** isnt it?But once you have got your head round it you will be ok - not the same fair enough but ok

Oh and the very best thin is to keep talking to people like us who (unlike your poor family will be worried and upset too), can take it and will do our best to help.

Love

Toni xx

dreamdaisy

Hi hayleym, I am so sorry to read your post. What you are feeling is entirely normal and entirely justified, unlike the fact that you have this foul disease. That is anything but normal or justified - it sucks. Big time.

Arthritis is a capricious and contrary so-and-so. It wears one out, whether it is active or not. One of the things that you learn fairly quickly is that not all people respond in the same way to the meds. There are a fair few on here who have found methotrexate (meth) very beneficial, then there are those who have had some benefit and then there are ones like me who have had no benefit. These meds are very much a case of trial-and-error, you have to keep trying different things until you hit upon the combination that works for you. These meds are not cures: they try to delay/stall the progress of the disease, that's all.

Adjusting to the new circumstances of your life isn't easy - no matter at what age one is trying to do so. I think, however, it must be soooo tough for you as you are definitely young! (I am an aged 51, so, in your way of thinking you young'un, my life ended at 35 anyway!) You will have to learn to listen to your body and not to over-do things. I have no idea what provokes a flare but things do and you have to give in. There is no point in fighting against it as you just prolong the agony. There are sacrifices - many of them, and absolutely no gains - well, if there are I've yet to find them. My arhtritis started in 1997 and is flaring wonderfully at the moment - I've just slept away the week-end. Never mind, there'll be others to stay awake thro!

It is a steep learning curve for your family too. Arhtritis isn't a 'visible' disease, at least not in its early stages. They may well not understand the tiredness: I know that the ARC produce booklets on many aspects of arhtritis, and I think AC do as well - contact the helpline and see what they can tell you re information. Look online too: there's something called The Spoon Theory which beautifully explains the effects of a long-term condition. I'm flagging now, my little burst of energy has evaporated. Back to bed for me. Others will be along soon, I have no doubt. Keep in touch with us: moan and rant and groan and complain, we don't mind, we know where you are coming from. I wish you well. Dreamdaisy

hayleym17

thanx so much for your advice and words of support. the docs upped me to 20mg of mtx today so i really hope i feel the benefits soon.
Had my bloods took and my counts are all over the place! even though ive been takin iron tablets!

ive bought some heat patches...hope they provide some relief...if only a little x

speedalong

Hi Hayley,

welcome to the forum. I don't have your type of arthritis, I have OA. Mine struck in my mid 20's and the diagnosis was a big shock and not at all what I wanted to hear. You do have to adapt and make changes to get the best out of life; mainly pacing yourself more, prioritising what you really want to do and resting your joints enough.You will find lots of practical suggestions on the forums and realise you aren't alone with your struggles. This is a good place to get and give support.

Speedy

frogmorton

Good luck Hayley with the higer does - glad teh heat patches offer some releif - i use Ice too? You tried it? Good when things are a-glowing

Love

Toni xx

dreamdaisy

Morning hayleym, I hope all is as well as it can be with you today. DD

catlady

Hi Hayley. I'm an aged 62 and a newbie with RA. I feel so sorry you have to face this at such a young age, at least I've had a life free of arther up til now. I started on meth last week, 2nd dose tomo, and I too hope it will 'work for me'. Do allow yourself to be angry about your uninvited and undeserved life sentence, it's a bit like grief and has to be worked through. AR offers self management courses, and I have put my name down for some of these when they are set up in my area. Have a look at what's offered on this site and do speak to the free AR helpline, they are very sympathetic and good listeners. Keep looking on here lots of info and support. Jenny xx