Newly Diagnosed

RoseH

Hi Just wanted to post that I have recently been diagnosed with RA and started on Methotrexate and feeling a little bit overwhelmed by it all if I am honest!

ToneBlues

Hi @RoseH

Welcome to our online community, and thank you for asking for our support.

You tell us that you have just been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and that you are being treated with methotrexate. You say that you are feeling a bit overwhelmed.

I'm sure many of us here can identify strongly with your feeling overwhelmed - I was diagnosed with RA 16 years ago and remember feeling exactly that way - however there is plenty of light at the end of the tunnel, and much of it is to found in the online community.

This is the main Versus Arthritis web page about RA -

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/

Methotrexate is one of the main drugs for treating RA -

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/drugs/methotrexate/

And this is a page especially for people who have just been diagnosed with arthritis -

https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2020/november/ask-the-expert-newly-diagnosed-with-arthritis/

I hope that this information is of help to you - please visit regularly to take part in our community, and to let us know how you are getting on.

Very best wishes

@ToneBlues - moderator

Mcca27

I was diagnosed in April started on methotrexate oral tablets made be very sick went to injections which relieved side affects but does help with pain. Things slowly getting worse so have been put on sulfasalazine aswell to try only 4 weeks in but still no difference. I'm hoping by the end of April it works as I'm 2 years suffering before diagnosed and a year in treatment.

Tom

Welcome to the Forum, @Mcca27 .

I see that following your diagnosis you have had trouble with your medication, in particular Methotrexate, with which you also take Sulfasalazine. It can take a few months for any effect to be noticeable.

Here are some links to information from our website:

https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2020/may/common-questions-about-taking-methotrexate/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/drugs/sulfasalazine/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2020/august/everyday-tips-for-living-with-arthritis/

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Tom, Moderator.

RoseH

Thankyou for your thoughts and response feels like your not alone. Been on Methotrexate 4 weeks and waiting to see if it helps. Injections in my knees were wonderful!! It has affected me in lots of places but my hands are very stiff and sore. Trying to get back to pila tes/ yoga have started but slow progress. I will get there.