Hoping support may help..

Keepongoing

Hi all, thanks for reading my post!

Here we go...

I've had RA for 19 years, (I'm 49) many ups & downs in that time with several remissions and many different meds along the way. In the last year I've been working towards getting onto biologics but it's not been straightforward at all. It's almost as if my body has said, yes you need these biologics but we'll make you fight tooth & nail for it!! A diagnosis of latent TB has brought with it lung, lymph node & breast lump biopsies & 3 attempts to treat the latent TB, which has caused severe liver inflammation along the way. And now the worst yet RA flare up with such widespread pain, I feel I've lost mobility, strength & stability. I suppose I've always mentally & emotionally managed it quite well (for 18 years) but this last year has literally brought me to my knees. I think I'm finally beginning to face how horrendous & disabling this disease can be and going through a roller coaster of emotions about that.

Despite, working in mental health & encouraging others to seek support from like-minded groups, it's something I've never done myself! Until now! My act of self-care today, is to realise it's okay to ask for help & so here I am, reaching out to you guys...

Thank you for being here x

Poppyjane

Hello @Keepongoing welcome to the online community,

You have had RA for 19 years but this year has been particularly difficult for you. You have struggled to get onto biologics, have had a diagnosis of latent TB and now are experiencing a severe flare up which has meant your emotions are on a roller coaster.

You have often advised others to seek help and now are reaching out for yourself, well, welcome again we are glad you found us and hope that the peer support you receive from our members will give you a boost.

I attach a few links which I hope will give you some useful information

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/managing-symptoms/emotional-wellbeing/

https://portfolio.cpl.co.uk/inspire/2022-spring/cover/

This thread is from one of our members who has a creative way with words

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/53411/pain-my-old-friend-or-foe#latest

I hope this first step towards self-care is the first of many more. Do look round the online community especially the Living with Arthritis section, there is a wealth of discussions and activities and lots of tips and ways of coping from our members. So do join in with us, we look forward to hearing from you again soon.

Take care

Poppyjane