Hi I'm knew

Ziggy123

Hi to everyone on the forum this is my first post..I've been living with rheumatoid arthritis now for 10 years..I'm now 44.. married to my lovely wife and have twin boys who are 16 now. I've always wanted to help anyone who is going through this or recently diagnosed with RA with any advice I can give. I've been on different drugs like methotrexate and sulphazaline but I'm on humeria now which has really helped me alot. I understand how tough it can be as I've been through alot myself and would love to help other people in any way possible.

Sharon_K

Hi Ziggy

welcome to the forums it is lovely to have you here. We always love to have new members who are willing to share their experience, you are like gold dust with a cherry on top. So please share your experience where ever you feel drawn to. As you know as a community we rely heavily on supporting each other as well as signposting to reliable sauces of information. Also be sure to share any concerns or questions you may have.

A lot of our regulars hang out in Vals Cafe if you want a good cup of tea and a piece of cake

Best Wishes

Sharon

Ziggy123

Thankyou Sharon I think its great people have support like this forum for advice. I would have loved to been able to turn to something like this 10 years ago as I felt very alone and in alot of pain and I didnt know anyone who had arthritis so I had no one to turn to. This is great and I would love to help In anyway I can

dreamdaisy

Hello, I am also on humira and meth, in my case to control psoriatic arthritis. I began the arthritis back in 1997, started basic meds in 2002 and then humira in either 2007 or 2008. I now also have osteo and fibro. I am 61, deliberately childless and happily married.

I have been on the forum for years, I hope you stay around and answer questions because not many do, possibly because the majority are newly-diagnosed and don't know enough to help themselves let alone others. You name the med I have probably tried it, I hail from the days when one had to fail on three DMARDs before you were allowed to try a biologic. It's all different now and better in that people are being diagnosed more quickly and given access to the meds sooner. I have seen for myself that the outcomes have improved, now it's me that stands out in rheumatology as I lurch about with my rollator. 😁 DD

Ziggy123

Hi there dream.d... I to had to go through various drugs like methotrexate and sulphazalisine plus endless steroid injections pain killers and pain patches. Think it was roughly 2 nearly 3 years before I qualified for the biologic humeria which has helped me alot. I've always wanted to help people in some way, who have been recently diagnosed with RA because it is life changing and it can be worrying besides the crippling pain. And I'm glad I've found this community..if I can help or give advice in any way I certainly will. RA and pain is only one side there's also the mental side of it as well in trying to keeping your spirits up when you feel so sore.

frogmorton

Hi @Ziggy123 sorry to be late to the party, but welcome to the community from me too.

This forum pretty well saved my life when arthritis first started for me in 2008.

Like you I knew no-one 'young' who had it, but the people using this platform back then were so supportive I well-up even now remembering how I felt.

Do hang about you can really help newbies in fact there's one joined only today I think - Lex is her name. https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/51714/new-diagnosis-of-ra#latest

Ziggy123

Hi frogmorton thanks for welcoming me to the forum..I just wish I had of found this support 10 years ago.

I was only 34 at the time I never knew anyone who had RA, believe it or not I felt sort of embarrassed, and didnt want to mention it to my friends or work colleagues as I always thought of arthritis as something you got when you were alot older. That's how naive I was. I must admit RA hit me hard not only physically with the pain, but mentally to. My kids were small at the time they just seen me as dad. A dad that just couldnt do anything when he finished work. The pain was awful the tiredness was something only people with RA can understand, my form wasnt great either. Thankfully with the help of the rheumatology team at the hospital getting me onto a biologic its turned my life around. But you need support as well..my wife has been fantastic I honestly dont know what I would of done without her. She encouraged me along with the dr to also get counselling which helped me alot as depression kicked in with me. I dont know if I can help anyone in any way but when I found this forum and seen people who were in my position 10 years ago I thought to myself I need to share my experience. Tell them just talk.. ask any questions you want as I've been there I know what your going through..stay positive it will get better..I got better.

frogmorton

Exactly Ziggy!

I was the same desperate - also slightly embarrassed it's hardly a glamorous thing to admit to is it? also felt I let my kids down - i used to be the fastest Mum and the school gate and suddenly was the slowest🙄

Like you I now want people to believe there IS life after diagnosis! Things do get better in the vast vast vast majority of cases.

I have said many times on here that you have to sort of grieve for the 'healthy' future you had planned before you can really accept it and move forwards and one of the best ways is to talk and keep talking - to those who understand which is us lot.

I'm glad you're here.