Newly diagnosed and scared 😟

ClaudiaAre
ClaudiaAre Member Posts: 4
edited 28. Nov 2023, 14:09 in Living with arthritis

Hi, I was just diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and I need to start my treatment with Methotrexate this Friday.

Feeling overwhelmed and terrified of the side effects but I’m just tired of the pain and stiffness 😞😞

Please tell me that the pain will go away…

Comments

  • Lane
    Lane Member Posts: 113

    Hello @ClaudiaAre welcome to our friendly community.

    I understand that you just been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and need to start taking Methotrexate.

    I have attached some links that I hope you will find helpful:

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


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

    I am sure that other members will share with you any tips that may be of help to you.

    All the best.

  • Woofy
    Woofy Member Posts: 360
    https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/58976/newly-diagnosed-and-scared

    Hi. I am sorry you are feeling scared and bewildered.

    a lot of us have been in your position. I was recently diagnosed with RA, and felt like you do fight now.

    I have just started on Sulphasalazine, after a trying other meds before to which I had a bit of a reaction.

    it is a lot to take in. Don’t be afraid to ask your consultant for some help with the pain. I rang rheumatology a few times to speak to someone about the pain. I’ve had steroids which really really helped.

    I have been on my new meds about 6 weeks. I am hoping they will ease the pain eventually. At the moment I am taking Naproxen although it is a low dose. Hang in there, hopefully they will get you sorted soon.

    I have started to adjust to the fact I have R A. I just find different ways of doing things, be kind to yourself, and only do what you are able until your medication starts to work. Rest when you feel sore.

  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,026

    Ah @ClaudiaAre

    I well remember how you must be feeling. It's all so scary and overwhelming isn't it?

    First of all you are now no longer alone you are treading the same path as a lot of us here have and we are still here to tell you our tale.

    If you haven't already I do recommend you have a look at this information I wish it had been there for me when I was first starting with this malarkey.

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

    The other thing you need to remember is that all of your feelings are normal perfectly normal from Anger to denial to fear to tearfulness anything and everything is normal.

    Don't fear the MTX side effects many don't get any at all and most of us seem to get used to any side effects.

    Ask us just ask us if there's anything we'll help if we can. My best tip is to take it at night before bed so you sleep off the worst of it and I think a day when you don't have work the next day might be useful so you can rest a bit more. Apart from that I rather like eating pastry vegan sausage rolls in my case used to be cheese and onion pasties before I went vegan! I remember one lady swore by fish and chips!

    Take care and we are here with you.

    Toni x

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