Newly diagnosed RA

pal

Hi All,
Greetings
Been confirmed today I have RA. Feeling very strange at the thought of it. Want to shout, cry, whatever. Have to start now on the meds to stop the rot.

Hope you are all OK.

Pal

Wonkylegs

HI Pal & welcome to the forum, though I'm sorry you needed to find us!

Getting a diagnosis is a tough one, whether you're expecting it or not. There is a lot to take in, and it's natural to be feeling how you describe. Let those feelings out if you can, as it does help not to bottle them up.

sadly I'm an 'old hand' at the RA merry-go-round, but I know the feeling of having a diagnosis of a new condition only too well. Believe me on THursday when I was diagnosed with something else as well, the tears were flowing, and it's going to take a while for me to get over the shock. That's a normal part of coming to terms with what's happening.

the great thing is that you have found the forum. There is no question too silly to be asked, or too ordinary either. We've all had cause to ask for help, and there are plenty of people on here who will happily share their ideas/experiences and offer you their support.

thinking of you & I hope you will not have to wait too long to begin treatment?

WOnky

madwestie

Pal I am sorry you have had the diagnosis but glad you found us
I have ra and I remember when I was diagnosed thinking thank goodness I know what it is an they can do something

I hope you get started on the meds soon don't be worried about them there are lots of us on them and we will help you all the way

Tracey

valval

you must feel
angry (why me)
happy (it not in your head)
worried(what does future hold)
shocked
you will be up and down for a while but we will be here for you and you can get meds to help control things now just remember to be kind to your self listen to your body val

mig

Hi pal and welcome,didnt click with me at first,i think i was in denial,takes time to come to terms with it,you will go thru all the emotions and again and again,then you will learn to live with it and get on with life as it now is,hope they get you sort outed with meds soon dont be down hearted if the first ones dont work for you mine didnt but i think weve crack it now.
this forum is a really great place to find some good advise and caring people who have had arthritus a long time.check out the chit chat page there are some real laughs on there.hope you are sorted soon.Mig

julie47

Hi Pal
welcome to the forum. You have a good cry and shout if it is going to help. I hope you have friends and family who can support you too.
I hope you start on the treatment shortly, so that you get the ra under control. When the meds kick in you will start to feel better

Take care
Juliepf x

elnafinn

Good morning Pal,

It is only natural that you are going to have mixed emotions and it will take a little time to get your head around it all. I have OA but the emotional side of it is the same.

Welcome to AC - you are at an advantage having found us.
Some of us had to cope in the beginning pretty much on our own. It does help to know that you are not alone in all this and there are many of us on this forum who are very willing and able to help, support and chat things over with you. It is also a place to call in and have a rant, knowing that you will get always receive replies from people who most definately know about and understand arthritis. Those who do not suffer from any kind arthritis sometimes have no idea of how to respond and what often comes out is mundane, totally unhelpful and sometimes very upsetting replies.

You stick with us and we shall try to help and support you. Please do not hesitate to ask questions, however silly you think they may be.

Look after and even spoil yourself this weekend and by next week you may well feel stronger about coping , knowing that we are here for you, just a couple of clicks away in fact.

Hugs
Elna x

ps Hi Julie, posting at the same time as me then

Ankyspond

Hi Pal,

Everything been said really but welcome to the forum, the place that is great support, is a wealth of advice and helps keep us sane.

The emotions are what everyone goes through, not sure how long if we ever get over the anger or frustration but it will get easier. Make sure you're talking to your family and friends about it, rest if you need to, make small changes if needed, consider if anything to make life easier like oxo grip utensils etc. There is a great post on here somewhere about tips to make things easier. Have a good read around the forum some great stuff. The meds seem scary but you have to consider your quality of life now, I am 43 with AS and take a cocktail of anti TNF, methotrexate, cocodomol, naproxen etc but you need to have the quality to live now, don't get scared by what the Internet says about the drugs.

Not much more to add to what theother peeps have said, keep chatting and take care. Xxx

frogmorton

Hi Pal

Good to meet you and welcome to our forums...l hope you will find then as useful as l have.

The folks on here are so helpful and supportive and have all felt that feeling you have just now....total confusion, anger tearful fear as you said whatever so many worries.

Pal is the Hungarian name for Paul so l instantly spotted your username sorry l bet you are female!! :oops:

anyway good to meet you

Love
Toni xx

dreamdaisy

Well, weren't you wise? You joined us before it was absolutely clear you would need us so that was a smart move.

Give yourself time. To find out that it is what you have been thinking was a possibility is always a shock, but that can be tempered with relief as it proves you have not been imagining things. We are here to answer any questions you might have, no matter how small or silly, (or even unanswerable (is that a word?)) we will do our best to support you and help you through this new stage of your life. I wish you well. DD

pal

Hi

A very big Thankyou to everyone for your support & replies. I am a bit tearful after feeling the concern from people who know what it's like. I first saw the Cons in August but received confirmation of the diagnosis yesterday from my GP so am already starting this weekend on the meds. Hydrochlorine whatever plus Methotrexate to try out at first.
Anything to stop the damage.

Yes, My username is Pal but my name is Paul. I am male and have three fantastic sons and five beautiful grandchildren. My wife is as always a wonderful support.

I am well used to forums as I also belong to forums for asthmatics, having suffered from asthma for several years now. Those forums are also very supportive, which is why I came on here.

Thankyou all for your concern & support, & I will use the forum as regularly as possible.

Best wishes
Pal

dreamdaisy

Hey, quite a few of us on here are asthmatic, I found that mine is very little trouble now as the meds flatten the immune system so effectively. Try not to be a-feared of the meds: the side effects are not guaranteed, they can take a time to work, they are meant to slow the progress of the disease and ergo the joint damage too, so they are a good thing. We are always here, Pal, and we know our stuff.

Thank you for the background, it's nice to get a 'feel' for someone. Me? Fat, 52, very happily married and deliberately childless. I have PA and recently discovered OA (as a result of the PA damage I think) and I am in my fifteenth year of this. DD

resusjan

Hi Pal,

I was diagnosed with RA in February this year, initially started on Methotrexate and planequil, saw rheumatologist again this week who has added in sufasalazine to take along with the others.

Like you I found it hard to get my head around. I was so fed up initially, crying, scared and really not knowing what to expect. I still feel a little like that but the lovely people on this forum have helped me immensely. They are so supportive and will listen to all your worries and concerns and come back with lots of reassuring words and advise.

Keep in touch with everyone on here and ask as many questions as you need. I hope you start to feel better soon.

Take care
Jan xx

pal

Hi All

Thanks again for your replies. It's so good to know there's support out there from people with experience.

I started on the Hydroxychloroquine on Friday. No major probs just an obvious headache the first day for a while.

I'm starting on the Methotrexate later today and a bit worried about that as it seems to be the "big one". My GP wasn't helpful at all on Friday.
He just ranted on about how controversial it was, and "if the doctors from years ago when I did my training knew we were dishing this stuff out, they'd be turning in their graves now!". Didn't exactly encourage me to take that stuff, I can tell you! AND the thought of having to have regular blood tests to make sure there's no other damage!
So I'm not exactly looking forward to that!

Wonky, sorry to hear of your "extra" diagnosis. I hope you are coming through the initial feelings of shock. Will be thinking of you.

DD, I have been wondering if there is a link somewhere between asthma and arthritis? It would be interesting to see how many have the two, and why. But maybe I'm looking too deep?

Anyway, maybe I can get back to sleep sometime soon as I have a very busy day as usual later!

Best wishes to all.

Pal

valval

ra is an autoimmune disease so it goes hand in hand with others of same type from what i have read
as for meds it better to stop dammage before it gets bad as it can affect organs of body as well so i know it awfull to take strong meds but they are monitered well and stopped before real dammage can occur from them val

madwestie

Pal,
I also have asthma (have had it for (28years now)
I remember when i first too Methotrexate i was ready with ginger biscuits and well really anything ginger to help with the sickness everyone said about and prepared for all these nasty side effects and then .... well none.
i have been on mtx for 4 years now and apart from a little hair loss(well hubby said he would like as much as me to start with) i have not had any side effects i an on injected mtx now as i needed a higher dose but they didn't want to try it in tablets incase it made the hair loss worse.
You get used to the blood tests and after a while they go down to 4 weeks and sometimes even longer apart.

Tracey

resusjan

Hi Paul,

I have had no side effects at all with the methotrexate - currently on 20mg, still haveing bloods done every week but that will change to 4 weekly soon. So far, my blood results have all come back within the normal limits.

Try not to worry about taking it, you will be closely monitored and its definately better to start treatment ASAP to reduce/prevent damage to your joints.

Take care, hope it all goes well

Jan

stickywicket

Paul, I hope the methotrexate helps, though it will take some time to kick in. I’ve been on that and hydroxychloroquine for at least 10 years now, on doses varying between 22.5mgs and, currently, 15mgs. I’ve had no problems other than, sometimes, a day of fatigue following my meth day.

The good thing, even though it does seem scarey at first, is you will be closely monitored – very closely by the sound of your GP. I think his remarks were unhelpful and discouraging. I suspect the docs he said would be ‘turning in their graves’ at the thought of dishing out methotrexate, were the ones who (because there was no methotrexate around at the time) had to prescribe me aspirin “Take as many as you need until you get a buzzing in your ears”. (That didn’t work either.) Methotrexate, I can assure you, is much better for arthritis. And probably safer.

I hope (and expect) all goes well today. Keep us in the loop.

traluvie

Hi Paul,

I'm sorry i must of missed your post, i have only just come across it..
Welcome to the forum...
Sorry to hear about your RA diagnosis, and as others said your head is going to be full of emotions as you try to get your head around things..
I have inflammatory arthritis(not sure what kind) and am currently taking hydroxychloroquine, I found i had headaches and generally felt unwell and sick for around 4 weeks, if i hadn't of improved i was to be taken off them, but luckily my body adjusted and they have worked well for me...I hope they do the same for you...
Any questions, worries or even a chuckle feel free to post..
Take care

soraya

Hi Pal i to was diagnosed on friday with RA bit of a blow all emotions from every direction, i start Methotrexate in the next two weeks having antibiotics at mo due to a chest infection, was given the gloomy talk about the meds aswell very scary but my GP reassured me enough to try, so looks like we are both at the same point if there is one to ARTHUR Hold on in there and just try to be positive its the best advice ive been given on here Soraya

pal

Hi Val

Thankyou for that.

I've had a very busy day and didn't want any side effects stopping me.
I have just come in & taken Methotrexate. Sorry but very nervous about what they could do to me. Hope everyone understands this.

Best wishes. Take care.

Pal :???:

woodbon

Just a quick post to say Hello!

It's only natural to be upset and shocked at your diagnosis, so don't worry about that and crying is a way of coming to terms with the bad parts of life and this is a really bad patch for you, but you'll come through and find people and things to help you!

Now you've found this forum, I hope you will visit us again and find some new friends. Don't forget, the number at the top of the page is the helpline and they are very good - they will send you information and talk you through your problems. Love Suexx

,

topgirl

Hi paul!

Welcome.....
Here is the best place to ask questions, rant and even have a giggle!
I was diagnoised 2 years ago... Am currently waiting to get funding for a biological drug....
A good consultant is worth their weight in gold...dont hold back...tell them how you feel....plus also share on here...( I know ur a bloke and its not easy!!!)
The people on here have made me get thro the tough times......
xx

suncatcher

Hi pal i just wanted to welcome you to the site. Sorry it is for the reason of being ill. It will be a shock and you will i am sure will feel alsorts of emotions. and have lots of questions my heart goes out to you. I remember that time too. I have had ra six and a bit years. I have found this forum so supportive and helpful and a good laugh as well as a cyber shoulder to cry on. Take things one day at a time. There is always some one around on here to talk to welcome to our site. from joanne

pal

Hi All. Me again.

I'm afraid I gave up on the Mtx & Hydroxychloroquine last week as I was fed up with feeling sick and having other side effects.
It was affecting my work a lot.

I'm seeing the Rheumatologist on the 9th and will discuss it with her then.

Would appreciate any thoughts?

Pal

valval

pal wrote:

Hi All. Me again.

I'm afraid I gave up on the Mtx & Hydroxychloroquine last week as I was fed up with feeling sick and having other side effects.
It was affecting my work a lot.

I'm seeing the Rheumatologist on the 9th and will discuss it with her then.

Would appreciate any thoughts?

Pal

sorry to hear this what are you taking ???? hope it goes well on the 9th and things not to bad till then i try to keep meds to min and the least toxic the better so far have managed it but have had to put naproxen back into mix as could hardly move joints so good luck we do got it the side affects can be as bad as arther val