new sufferer looking for advice??

ricki2711 · 13. Jan 2011, 17:45

Hi folks,
I would like to ask for some advice from those of you who have more knowlede of RA than me( I know nothing, except it hurts).

I was diagnosed the week before Christmas (thanks santa) and started on Methotrexate 17.5 sliding up to 20 mg and nice needle in me bum for Depo - medrone.

A little bit about me:- Iam 50ish(want to be 30ish), I have just finished my first year clear after having chemo for hodgkins and was hoping to return to work!!
My RA started in my shoulders and now affects most of my joints and I can honestly say I have never know pain like it.

Please tell me the future is bright

Rick

skezier · 13. Jan 2011, 17:55

Hi Rick,

Welcome to the forum and they are a nice friendly lot here.

I don't have ra I have oa and pa but yep it hurts

Its irritating and evil actually.

I promise you as they get a hold on it and bring it under control it does get easier. Hang in there and nice to meet you. Cris x

tjt6768 · 13. Jan 2011, 18:04

Nice to meet you Rick, hope you're not suffering too much tonight..
I only got diagnosed with RA last march, in my wrists and hands, but I have had OA in spine and knees for many years.. Hurts like a bugger eh? I haven't really known any painkillers take the whole pain away personally, just maybe enough to make me able to cope with it, but that was more my OA.
I know it's not too nice to hear but just don't pin your hopes up on any miracle cure or anything... :shock:
I hope that I am wrong and you find the ideal meds for you, I honestly do Rick....

Be well mate

jassie · 13. Jan 2011, 18:06

Hi Rick, sorry to hear you've been diagnosed.with RA. I can't give you any definite pointers because it differs in everyone. There is no standard route so far as I am aware. Mine started in my shoulders nearly 40 years ago and is now everywhere. It can be very painful and, worse for me, limits what you can physically do.

What I do think is that treatments have advanced so amazingly since I was first diagnosed that there are always things that can be done to alleviate the problem, and there are more discoveries being made all the time. So there is always hope. You can also learn to make adjustments to your life and the way you do things so as to make it easier. Pain can make you feel very miserable as well as frustrated at not being able to do what you would like. The best thing, in my experience is to adjust (not diminish) your expectations of the future. Think about what you can do and how you can get what you want in different ways. It's certainly not easy and you need support from friends, family and forums like this, but definitely there is a bright future and I'm sure you can find the one that is right for you.

My thoughts go out to you and I wish you all the very best. Jassie.

julie47 · 14. Jan 2011, 03:38

Hi Rick
welcome to the forum
I think jassie has said it all.
I have had RA 23 years in april and was 25 when diagnosed.I just wish the meds that are available today were out then.
Good luck with your meds, and think positive.
juliepf x

maria09 · 14. Jan 2011, 03:48

Hi Rick
& welcome to the site
Everyone here is so helpful & supportive & have a wealth of knowledge
I dont have RA but got OA everywhere & know how debilitating & frustrating pain is :!:
Keep strong & keep posting
Maria x

tkachev · 14. Jan 2011, 05:07

Hello Rick,(good name, that is my partners name). It should get better. I have been bedridden in the past but now can manage reasonably well, apart from osteo in foot and one damaged hip that needs replacing. All other pain is much milder now. You will need to start with certain medications, you will be monitored through blood tests and appointments with the rheummy and meds will be increased/decreased and added to as and when required. At the start it is so incredibly painful as you tend to need time to get through to people how painful it is and appointments can be too far apart with long waiting periods.
Good luck and if you feel 30 but are 50 then go to the chit chat as you will be in good company.

Elizabeth

ricki2711 · 14. Jan 2011, 05:23

Hi I would like to say thanks to all the nice people who have responded to my post.

Its nice to know there is support from others who know what it feels like

rick

frogmorton · 14. Jan 2011, 09:04

Hi Rick

a BIG welcome form me to you

The future is brighter if you come on here for sure than if you suffer it alone

I hope you find it as useful as I have

Love

Toni xx

Bookseverywhere · 14. Jan 2011, 10:07

Hello Rick, and welcome to the forum.

I have RA and OA. RA isn't any fun, and the treatments are a bit like trial and error. Are you on steroids? If so, what dosage? Steroids will ease the pain, but there are side effects, which vary from person to person (my OA is as a result of weakening bones due to steroids).

Get the consultant to talk through with you the various treatment options and the side effects of each treatment. It has taken quite a long time to find a treatment that works for me, but now it appears (touch wood) that they have found what works. If your consultant is helpful then he or she should be willing to talk through the options, decide in what order to try them and how long to give them to see if they are working. What happened with me was as each drug was tried, I was also put on a steroid reduction programme.

Don't be afraid to ask questions. And do be honest with consultants and doctors. When I was diagnosed, I explained to the consultant that I liked a glass of wine (or three), and would prefer treatments that allowed me to continue to drink moderately. Using this information, and other information from me and my GP, he decided on which treatments would be most appropriate for me.

Best wishes,
Kevin.

ironic · 14. Jan 2011, 12:29

Hi Rick,
Welcome to the forum. I am so sorry that you are in so much pain at the moment. The steroid jab did work for me for quite a while but as everyone says we all react differently to the medications.
The MTX will take time to work so hang on in there. You can get anti-inflammatory gels that you could use on your shoulder and sometimes heat helps.
Nice to meet you,
Lv, Ix

speedalong · 14. Jan 2011, 15:35

Hi Rick I have OA not RA, but just wanted to say welcome. You will find lots of support and advice on here.

Speedy

Zoe S · 14. Jan 2011, 16:53

Hi Rick, I am new to the forum as well and just wanted to say I am in exactly the same position as you, although a little younger (I'm 37). I too was diagnosed just before xmas and was put on hydroxy and had injection in bum. I am doing a lot better since having this injection, although I am wondering what I will be like when it wears off. I have ra affecting just about all of my joints and the pain before the injection was so unbearable I didn't know how much more I could take. I just have to keep telling myself that its a case of trying different medications but it will get better.

Zoe

woodbon · 15. Jan 2011, 08:00

Hello, Welcome to the Forum. It's a good, friendly place and lots of information, especially when you'r new. If you need to know anything, of just want to talk something over with someone, the Helpline is a good place. They will also send you any information you might need.

Sorry it happened at Christmas, not the best time of year. You'll have to advertise it as an unwanted Christmas present and see if someone will take from you!!! :roll:

Good luck love Sue

new sufferer looking for advice??

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