Recently diagnosed

SLH22

Hello all,

I am 39 and was diagnosed with RA 2 weeks ago. I have been given a steroid injection to offer me a bit of relief whilst I research the drug methotrexate which I will go on long term. Is anyone this? In a similar situation? I am just looking for a bit of support. Thank you

Woofy

Hello and welcome.

Sorry you have been diagnosed with RA. I have it too, confirmed about a year ago.

I have been on and off steroids whilst the hospital try to find medication that will control the pain.

I have recently had my methotrexate increased, and changed to injection, which I do myself. And a new tablet called Leflunomide.

Hoping this new combo will work for me. How are you coping?

PJoanne

Hello @SLH22 and welcome to the online community. There will be lots of members here who will be able to share their own experiences of RA with you. I thought I would signpost the info below, there's a lot here so maybe grab a cup of tea and have a read!

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

The lovely people here are available to talk to you as well:

https://www.versusarthritis.org/get-help/

Looking forward to seeing you around the forum!

Best, Joanne

Hope767

Hello, I'm sorry to year of your diagnosis and hope you are coping.

I was diagnosed with RA in March this year. Started oral Methotrexate 7 weeks ago. I still need steroids as my CRP is elevated.

I’m in a lot of pain, hoping the Methotrexate starts to work soon, I’ve been told it can take at least 12 weeks or more to have an effect #methotrexate #RA

SLH22

Thank you for your reply and I’m sorry to hear how much pain you are in. Have you had any side effects from the medication?

Hope767

Hi @SLH22

Symptom wise;

1. I get very tired on the day I take Methotrexate and sleep a lot the following day.
2. I wear factor 50 sun protection daily because I have felt my skin get hotter more quickly when I’m in the sun.
3. I did get a small blister in my mouth one week after taking it. My Consultant has offered me injections if this happens again.

Hope this helps , look after yourself , rest when you need it. My doctor said something to me when I was desperate to understand why I had RA. I was looking at my lifestyle choices to help myself get better . I had been caring for my disabled mum, raising an school aged daughter, running a home, holding down a job and a self employed role. I felt I’d caused my own demise . Truth is, I was exhausted and then grief hit when I lost my mum.

one of the kindest things the doctor said was :

“ It’s not your fault, it’s nothing you have done”.

I was grateful to hear this because people had said suggested I’d brought it on myself.

I hope this helps . You really must honour yourself , be kind to yourself and take it easy ❤️

ladlegirl

Hello everyone. I'm also newly diagnosed just last week with RA and separately with Fibromyalgia. I'm 40.

I had a short trial of Steroids which really worked. I'm waiting now on my prescriptions for Methotrexate, Folic Acid, steroids, and my Phosphate is low (?!) So have to get a short course of supplements.

I do already have some other chronic illnesses (Type 3C diabetes, Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency, Hypothyroidism) so I'm trying to get my head around all this new information as well.

I'm relieved there is treatment and also a community such as this.

Thank you for reading.

noddingtonpete

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

I see that you are about to start methotrexate, from what others say on here it seems to take a few weeks to work so bear with it. I've put some information below that you might find of help.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/your-experiences/your-questions-answered/your-questions-on-methotrexate/

and

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

I hope it helps you. If you have any more questions just raise them on the community and I am sure others will connect with you and share their support and experience. Please let us know how you get on.

Best wishes

Peter

chrissy33

I am 62, just diagnosed with RA. On steroids. Started methotrexate on Wednesday. Feel so ill, pain, exhaustion, weight loss and now a UTI to top it all. Feel vrry low. I have been unwell for 2 months ptior to diagnosis.

noddingtonpete

Hello @chrissy33 and welcome to the Online Community.

I don't take methotrexate myself but from other members posts it can take a few weeks to get used to it but then the benefits start to kick in. If in doubt though always seek medical opinion. In teh meantime you might find the following useful.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/your-experiences/your-questions-answered/your-questions-on-methotrexate/

and

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

Please keep posting and let us know how you are getting on.

Best wishes

Peter

Eeyore

I was diagnosed with R.A. last November, started on Methotrexate in February this year. It takes a few weeks to kick in but I found it did help. I started off on 15mg a week and had no side effects. The dose was increased, I noticed no improvement in my symptoms but started to suffer extreme nausea so now I'm back on 15mg a week. The steroid injection will help you a lot with the pain, I was given Prednislone tablets to take in the early stages. Nausea seems to be the main side effect of Methotrexate but not everyone gets it. The best you can do is look after yourself, rest when you need to (fatigue is an annoying symptom of R.A.) and always use strong factor sun cream when venturing outside. And avoid people with colds! You will be very much more susceptible to infections. Welcome to the R.A. club, the club nobody wants to join voluntarily! But at least here you will find understanding and support.