New diagnosis of RA

PenJ

Hi everyone,



Im so pleased to have found this site. I'm just shy of 30 and have been diagnosed with RA about 4 months ago. I've got a 4 and 1 year old to rush about after (and a big kid husband) and was looking for advise and or support that things will get better.

I've been rattling along on 10 methotrexate a week , hydroxychloro and meloxicam and my massive swollen knee and elbow have gone but I just still don't have any energy, those of you in the know, do you get your energy back or do I just have to adapt from now on? Just doesn't seem fair on the kids, and I'm having a hard time accepting my lot if this is it.

I seem to pick up every cold going, and when I do I get widespread pain and aches in my joints and have real trouble sleeping. My lovely family try to support me and tell me I've only been on the meds 3 months and I just have to be patient but I think I need to hear from people who have been there to get real insight.

Would love to hear from anybody who might have tips and advice, or their stories of fatigue and RA as I can't find a great deal on it.

With great thanks in advance

PenJ x

Numptydumpty

Hi Penj,
I have RA, I'm also on Meth, Hydroxychloroquine, Piroxicam, Prednisolone, Co codamol, Gabapentin and all the lovely drugs that come with them to counteract side effects. Yes I still suffer from fatigue, most of us do. You have to learn to pace yourself. (Not easy when you have little ones).
It is still early days for you, and as the meds are working on your joints, given time, they may help with the fatigue. I certainly hope so!
Welcome to the forum, I'm sure you will find the lovely people on here a great help and comfort. I know I do.
Wishing you well,
Numpty

valval

hi i have no name for mine so you are ahead of me on that as for the fatigue well you do tend to learn to balance life and decide what important to you yes it can get much better but well it differs from person to person so no one can say how the meds will affect you or how well they will work 3 months should be showing some improvement if not contact rhummy and see what they say good luck val

ELAINE55555

HI PENJ
Ive had RA for about 9 months now, I am on the mtx and hydro, the same as you. I found it was nearly 5 months before I felt a bit better pain wise, so you might find a difference in a month or so. The tiredness with me comes and goes. You just have to learn to pace yourself. I used to be quite houseproud, now I dont give a sh.. if the windows are clean or not>lol. Its the same with the pain, it comes and goes too, some days I feel great, other days I feel rubbish. Its not going to go away, so you just have to make the most of the good days. I always think to myself that there are others in a far worse situation and that keeps me going.
Its good to come on this site and chat with others who know what you are going through.
Take care x

earthspirit

hi penj my heart goes out to you - dealing with disease whilst having such young kids is never going to be easy.

if your 4 yr old is going to nursery or school and the 1yr old can be put down for a little daytime nap, you too should just lie down and chill out at the same time. not really to go to sleep yourself, but just to give your body a little break & to re-energise. it might make a lot of difference.

i know the temptation is probably to "do stuff" when you get a break from kids (running around like a mad woman cleaning was my thing), but stuff can wait.............put the health 1st and then maybe you will find the energy to catch up more easily without the debilitating tiredness.

julie47

Hi Penj

Welcome to the forum it is nice to meet you.

I am sorry though that you have had to find us due to your RA.

I have had RA for 24 years, I was diagnosed just after giving birth to my daughter. I can remember how difficult it was coming to terms with the stiffness, pain and tiredness and having to look after a new baby a home and a lovely husband who works hard and long hours.

I can say though that when the rheumatologists got the cocktail of meds right I started to feel so much better

I have been on many combinations over the years but I am now on Meth (over 13 yrs) leflunomide, hydroxy, and celebrex and they are working well for me although, yes I still get very tired but you learn to listen to your body and rest whenever possible.

I hope that you soon start to feel the benefit of your meds, but in the meantime just rest when ever possible

Take care
Love Juliepf x

DebraKelly

Welcome.

I have had RA for the past 3 years.

I was on Meth tablets and now on Meth injections which work much better, but unfortunately the Meth is no longer working for me so I am getting switched to something else.

Fagitue is something that I suffer from a lot, it comes and goes, but you just have to fight it.

It does take about 3 months for the Meth to get into your system so hang on in there. I find taking ginger or a mint helps with feeling sick.

Keep us posted.

mcford

hello


Sorry to hear about the pain you are having I'm 30 and have had RA since I was 17. I remember when I was first diagnosed I found it hard some days to even get the strength to get out of bed. I feel for you having to come to terms with everthing while having children to look after too. It does take a little while for the medication to kick in, but hopefully you will soon start to feel a bit better.

The tiredness takes a lot of getting used to and does get annoying when you feel tired even if you have done nothing the day before, but it is a matter of getting to know your limits

I really hope you start to feel better soon x

Clare

PenJ

Thank you to everyone! it is a real comfort to hear from others in similar situations.

I think that if I know what I'm dealing with, that really does make it easier. Knowing that it will be changeable, and you just " have to wait and see" is better than thinking, 'why haven't the tablets sorted it yet?! getting frustrated and angry at it

I'm coming round to the idea that there is no " sorting it", it's a process and I'm only at the beginning.

Thank you for all the pacing tips, i think youre all so right, the housework will just have to wait and lovely hubby will get drafted in more, but if that means I have more energy for the fun stuff, then that's all that matters anyway

I can t believe it but I feel so much calmer already from just a few posts, thank you all so much, you don't know how much you've helped me x

valval

stress makes you feel so much worse keep posting we are here what ever you need