Just Diagnosed

Cwils

Good Afternoon,

I hope everyone is well, and thank you in advance for any support or guidance.

I have just returned from Consultant who was lovely, and now diagnosed with RA, in one way it’s a relief that explains the pain!

She explained the blood results, one the CCP was a reading of 344, she said this is high, another was Rheumatoid Factor which was 116 and ESR was 31….I’m so new to this I have no idea what the numbers mean. She gave me an immediate steroid injection and I am starting on Folic Acid and Methotrexate once a week with fortnightly blood tests. Hopefully someone knows more about this to explain.

I hope the steroid injection will give me pain relief and able to sleep as well.

Any information relating to all the above would be great as I am somewhat relieved but overwhelmed with info.

Thanks

Claire

Ellen

Good Afternoon @Cwils

I see you have really really just been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and am so glad you have got such a good Rheumatologist and also that you have found this community who can support you with this.

With regards to your test results this might be useful:

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/healthcare-professionals/training-and-education-resources/clinical-assessment-of-patients-with-musculoskeletal-conditions/investigations/

She gave you a depot steroid injection to hopefully alleviate some of your symptoms quickly while she starts you on Methotrexate, (MTX). Which is a Disease Modifying Anti Rheumatic drug (DMARD). Take a look at thsi information:

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

I imagine you were given lots of information CWils but these pages have been written especially for people in your position who have been newly diagnosed.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/newly-diagnosed/

Take your time and be kind to yourself.

Very best wishes

Ellen.

,