Newly diagnosed with RA

Charlie

Hi, I've been newly diagnosed with RA. Had my second steroid injection yesterday, 11 weeks after my first. My Consultant said DMARDs would be next because of the short time between flares. I'm honestly feeling panicked by it all.

Poppyjane

Hello @Charlie

Welcome to the online community

You have recently been diagnosed with RA and your consultant has suggested DMARDS will form part of your ongoing treatment. Like you, many of us when we were first diagnosed our brains go into overdrive and we felt panicked . We are a friendly group who are here to support you and hope that members tips and shared experiences will offer you ways of dealing with your condition.

I attach some links which I hope you will find helpful. They include information as well as other people's stories which can help reduce feelings of panic and isolation.

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

https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2022/january/a-big-part-of-any-arthritis-diagnosis-is-dealing-with-what-it-means/

We are all encouraged to exercise to keep our muscles and joints as flexible and mobile as possible so I attach the new VA stretching videos link and also suggest non load bearing exercise such as swimming might help you.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2021/october/new-stretching-videos-to-help-keep-moving-and-manage-your-arthritis/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2021/june/is-swimming-and-exercising-in-water-good-for-people-with-arthritis/

I hope this is not an overload of information! Do join in again soon, we look forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes

Poppyjane