RA Confirmed.

saggyoldbagpuss
saggyoldbagpuss Member Posts: 55
edited 16. Oct 2010, 03:50 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi

Just got back from seeing my doctor, been confirmed have RA - am soo upset at the minute, don't know why? maybe i thought it would pass! just feels so unfair - Doc wants to start meds asap as marker was high talking about steriods to get me through til i see rheumy consultant in Nov. Not good at taking meds, hate it! She also said something about Lupus having a low market there and did I know anything about Lupus! course I didn't and still don't! it's all too much...... so unfair! i've had soo much over the past few years fought and won against breast cancer! am angry and upset! feel lost and alone! I want my life back, this time last year i was doing triathlons for heaven sake, why me?

Am sooo sorry need to vent! need to get this out! don't know whats coming and that scares me!

:cry:

Comments

  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,787
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Saggy

    are you alright my lovey??? :(

    All of this is sooo normal sooo normal I promise.

    You know we all go through all the feelings you are feeling and you are totally normal for feeling angry upset tearful terrified etc etc.

    The good news is talking about it and getting the right treatment are what you need right now at this minute.

    Talking we can to and treatment 'they' will have to do for you.

    My heart goes right out to you - life has dealt you a shift hand, but you will be ok - there IS life after diagnosis - different, but honestly it IS ok.

    Love and hugs++++++++

    Toni xx
  • dorcas
    dorcas Member Posts: 3,516
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Oh bagpuss!

    This is tough news and it will take time to come to terms with waht you have been told.

    All I can say is that it will get better and although your life might be different you are still the same person today as you were yesterday before you had this diagnosis.

    You've had to fight cancer in the past which must have been a huge challenge... so you do have the inner resources to cope with arther.

    It's not fair I agree... you've had more than you fair share and you have every right to vent.......

    you do have a caring doc who wants to support you.. which is a positive.

    and we will help in any way we can flower.... so keep posting.

    love and (((hugs)))

    Iris xxx
  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,281
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello Saggy
    You vent your emotions all you want onto us, like Toni says talking about will help you a lot.
    I am so sorry for what you have gone through, life is certainly not fair.
    Thank goodness they are starting your treatment very soon, there are quite a few people on here that have taken so long to get diagnosed, the sooner the better for your joints.
    When ever you need to talk you know where we are.
    Sending you loads of hugs ((((((())))))
    Love
    Barbara xx
    Love
    Barbara
  • lucy145
    lucy145 Member Posts: 90
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    hi saggy

    i dont think we have spoken on the forum yet but just want to say im sorry to hear your news, by reading your msg you have been through so much and its just not fair

    my heart goes out to you

    take care

    love lucy xx
  • spacey
    spacey Member Posts: 126
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    sorry to hear you have had bad news - sending a big hug x
  • tillytop
    tillytop Member Posts: 3,460
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi saggyoldbagpuss

    Just to join the other peeps in saying how very sorry I am I to hear that you have had your RA diagnosis confirmed today. Being upset, confused, angry and all those things is perfectly normal and it IS a huge amount to take in. It is also, as you say, very unfair, having been through everything else these past few years and I can completely see why your mind is in a complete whirl.

    Thinking about some practical advice, have you thought about ringing the AC Helpline for a chat? They are not open now until Monday I don’t think but you may find that talking to a “real person” on the phone would be helpful. They are also a very good source of information, and I always feel better about things when I understand more about them.

    Over the coming weeks you could also start making a list of questions for you consultant when you see him in November. You may feel you are too upset to be doing this at the moment but sometimes I find that writing things down actually helps to clarify my thoughts about them and makes me feel less helpless and more in control. Just a thought.

    In the meantime please, please, please don’t feel alone with this- and please don’t ever feel you have to apologise for venting. We are here to listen/answer questions and support you as best as we can.

    Thinking of you.

    Love and (((())))s

    Tilly xxxx
  • lindalegs
    lindalegs Member Posts: 5,395
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Saggy,

    I'm so sorry you've had this news especially having had breast cancer too. It isn't fair is it :(

    We've all said 'why me' and had to swallow the bitter pill of 'why not me'.

    You will get life back albeit a bit of a different one but good things still happen even when you have to cope with something like this. The meds will help and Dmards (Disease Modifying Drugs) will slow down any deformations and damage to your joints, that's why your GP wants you to start on them quite quickly.

    I have RA and my sister has Lupus so any questions please ask, we're here to help.

    Luv Legs

    :)
    Love, Legs x
    'Make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing'
  • alarkra
    alarkra Member Posts: 213
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Saggy,

    I was diagnosed with RA in July and have been struggling to come to terms with it. It's only in the past few weeks that I've started to be a bit brighter as the cocktail of medication has finally started kicking in.

    Try to stay positive - this forum is great at helping you with support as everyone here understands what you are going through. I have been here a month and it's really helped me.

    Sending you hugs, I know how tough it is, it DOES get better, it will take a while to sink in, that's all.

    ((((((((((HUGS)))))))))) xx
  • woodbon
    woodbon Member Posts: 4,969
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello, I am really so sorry to read your post. I don't blame you for the way you feel, its only natural and you need come to terms with all the bad feelings you have. This is a good place to let go and have a rant, we all do from time to time.

    Its such early days for you and so you need time and space to find out all the information and advice. I'm sure lots of people on here will be happy to help. The Helpline is good too. The good thing is that these days so much more is out there to help treat you, the drugs are much better now, but the others who have ra will be better at helping you.

    Take care, and take time and things WILL start to get better!
    Love Suexxx
  • annie_mial
    annie_mial Member Posts: 5,614
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I can only echo what the others say........some gentle ((((())))) for you and will say again, that it does get better.

    Annie
    xx
  • tillytop
    tillytop Member Posts: 3,460
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi saggyoldbagpuss

    Just to say "hello" and that I am thinking of you.

    Love Tilly xxx
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,787
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Just checking in to see how you are today Saggy :(

    Thinking of you

    Love

    Toni xx