Newly diagnosed

Sarah77

Hiya not really sure what to write. I was diagnosed a week ago with my rheumatoid factor being 40 not sure if that’s or even what it means! I have a rheumatology appointment in January just guess I wanted to ask what to expect now. I’m in pain most of the time in different areas but feet, ankles and back being the worst.

thanks for reading x

noddingtonpete

Hello @Sarah77 and welcome to the community. We are a friendly and supportive group and I hope that will be your experience as well.

I understand that you have just been diagnosed with a rheumatoid factor of 40 and waiting to see the rheumatology team. Whilst you are waiting for the appointment have a read through the following from our website which may help.

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

Our Helpline team is available Mon to Fri 9am to 6pm and can answer any specific questions you might have, they can be contacted on 0800 5200 520 but also have a look through

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/your-experiences/your-questions-answered/your-questions-on-osteoarthritis-and-rheumatoid-arthritis/

I hope this is of help and I am sure others will connect with you to share their support and experiences as well. Please keep posting and let us know how you get on.

With very best wishes

Peter (moderator)

airwave

Hi Sarah, a diagnosis is not the end of the story, treatment will start and no doubt be modified over time. You may have had RA for some time and you have survived and you will continue for a long time, so what’s changed? Treatment and that’s a huge positive which may take some time to change your life? You still need to be kind to yourself.

I have an 1st appointment about the same time as you so a voyage of discovery for both of us.

its a grin, honest!

Sarah77

Thank you for replying and thank you for your kind words. Good luck with your appointment hope it goes well x x x

Sarah77

And thank you for putting a positive spin on it 😊 I guess I was expecting to be told it was just one of things like I have been previously so it’s been a bit weird if I’m honest but defo a good way of looking at it x x x

chassan

Hi Sarah,sorry your in pain.Hopefully now you've received a diagnosis things will improve.Diagnosis can be a shock but with the right treatment you will learn to manage the condition😊

Lambourne

Diagnosis can be a bit of a shock, I have OA in my knees but then suffered dreadful flares in my hands and arms on holiday 3 years ago, it was so bad I had to ask my friend to do my bra up and couldn’t hold a bottle of water- it was so scary I was almost relieved to have a RA diagnosis when so came home. I am now taking Methotrexate and a biological injection and have very few flares with little pain so there is help out there.

Sarah77

Thank you

I hope you have long term success with your medication it sounds like it is so far x x x

Sarah77

@chassan thank you yes I am at the moment but I’m a bit of a fool to myself and push my self too far sometimes! It did come as a massive shock but I’m slowly getting my head round it all there’s just so much to take in x x x

withazed

Hi @Sarah77 - I’ve just written my first post and it’s pretty similar to yours. Anna the moderator directed me to yours.

I was diagnosed in Oct and was started on meds but they haven’t worked so I’m back to square one.

Hope you’re doing ok. I completely hear you about the difficultly / weirdness of getting the diagnosis and have been a bit in denial about it tbh. My husband persuaded me to join a forum so I’m hoping that chatting to others who’ve been though it / are going through it will help me get some perspective! Good luck with your appointment x

movingslowly

hello @Sarah77

I'm a bit of a noob myself. Self referred to the MSK (?) service for physio over quite a bit of trouble I was having who then suggested assessment for R.A.

Was a bit of a shock to learn all I'd experienced in previous years was part of the same thing. I'd also managed to get my hands on numerous and various 'prescribed' drugs (not prescribed to me) by this time and would binge on well,...anything. The levels of discomfort were becoming intolerable and I had no real idea of the cause.

It was suggested I was assessed for R.A and a daily med prescribed (rather than binge on stuff that hadn't been prescribed)

It's alot to get your head around when first diagnosed. To date I've found knowledge helpful. Understanding what's happening to my body and tips for lessening effects. This site is chock full of information and other users who have been where you are now.

I hope you find the site friendly and useful 🙂 Take good care.