Hello 👋

Cwils

Good Morning,

I am happy I found this place, I feel I need some support as have no idea what to expect.

I don’t even know where to start, I’ve had pains since last year, started in chest and back, had to attend A&E, where they diagnosed me with Costochondritis . I put up with it for months back n forth to GP, then last few months ankles, one wrist and shoulder were becoming unbearable with pain so GP decided to run a few blood tests. She explained it was highly unlikely the RA would come back with anything, sadly 2 days later she called and said one was off the scale and I needed to be referred to Early Intervention Arthritis Clinic. I was so shocked I didn’t even ask questions, I have an appointment with consultant tomorrow, so I guess I will find out then. She put me on a 24 slow release ibuprofen and I can take paracetamol but it’s hardly touching the pain sadly. My knee is now horrendous I Can hardly walk, it feels like whatever I have is ripping through my body so quickly and I have no idea what is happening :( it’s happened so quickly.

I look forward to any support and also getting to know other people’s stories too.

Claire

PeterJ

Hello @Cwils and welcome to the community. We are a friendly and supportive group and I hope that that will be your experience as well.

I understand that you may have Rheumatoid Arthritis and looking for support and experiences. You have come to the right place. As a start our website has a lot of useful information in it and I would recommend having a look around it. It contains information on arthritis, how it affects us (joints), medication, hints and tips and so much more. To help I've put a couple of links in below which you may find of interest.

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

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/your-experiences/hints-and-tips/

Please do keep posting and let us know how you are getting on and I am sure others will connect with you to share their thoughts and experiences as well

With very best wishes

Peter