Sero negative newly diagnosed

Claire1983

Hi everyone x in new to the forum an need as much advice as possible. I have just been diagnosed with sero negative arthritis, I am scared of what te future may hold in terms of mobility, ability to work etc.

Can anyone give me any advice

Scared and apprehensive

Claire

stickywicket

Hello Claire. It's good to meet you but I'm sorry about the diagnosis. Mine is RA, not a sero-neg form of arthritis but things are much of a muchness.

Unfortunately, the only advice I can give at this stage is to try to relax (as if :roll: ), eat a healthy diet, get as much exercise as you reasonably can without putting your joints under more stress and just take each day as it comes. There is no blueprint for how any form of arthritis will progress. We are all different.

I presume you've been offered one of the Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDS) such as methotrexate or sulphasalazine? These do help to keep the disease under control and prevent its worst excesses.

I hope all goes well for you. If you'd like a general chat about it to someone in the know why not ring our Helpline? Meanwhile we are always available to encourage and support

gemmarh100

Hi Claire,

I was diagnosed in April and have found it hard to come to terms with. I never thought I'd have arthritis and I'm only 23... :roll: How old are you?

But from chatting to people on here...I have gained so much knowledge and made a few friends, too. I am realising that you have to take each day as it comes. I recently read 'the spoon theory' (look it up on google) which I believes explains arthritis very accurately.

Where do you have pain? Have you been offered any meds yet? I have been one Methotrexate for 1 month (very common drug to start on)....no improvement yet but fingers crossed....

Hope all is well and keep us updated on your journey (always here to pm if you want...)

Gem xx

dreamdaisy

Hello, it's nice to meet you and I hope we will be able to help with information and support. I have psoriatic arthritis which is a sero-negative form, I'm in my seventeenth year of it and, although I wish life was better than it is, it's actually not that bad. I have recently stopped work but I was fortunate in that I was self-employed and could therefore begin again if I wish - currently I don't because things are tough in other areas of life and I don't need the extra pressure.

A little more detail of your history would help - what bits are hurting, are your inflammatory markers high (I was told that ideally they should be between 0 - 10 ) and, as Gemma asked, have you been prescribed anything? None of us have a crystal ball so we cannot predict your future but it will be what you choose to make of it, just as it is for all of us. Everyone's arthritis is unique to them, we may share similar reactions on initial diagnosis but what happens after is up to us. DD

Kittkat

Hello
The best advice I can give you is DO NOT panic and remember you are still you despite the arthritis. Don't read things on the internet and assume it will be you reading all the negatives on the internet made me really depressed.There is so much fear surrounding arthritis but the truth is treatment is much better these days. Everyone is different. The main thing is to get treated and hopefully get it under control and also I hope you don't need this site much as people who are doing well don't post much or at all.

Toots

Hi Claire

Sorry to hear the news of your diagnosis. I am yet to get a diagnosis so will be following your posts with interest.

I know you'll find the folks here really supportive and I'm sure that will help you a little.

Gentle hugs xxx

barbara12

Hello Clare and a warm welcome from me
Sorry I cant offer any advice..I have OA but I just want to add my support and say we are always here if you want to talk about things x