My 'Sero-ve Rheumatoid Arthritis' Journey

CDM160874
CDM160874 Member Posts: 1
in Chat to our Helpline Team

All my recent health problems started after I had the first AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine in May 2021. However, I cannot prove that but I know my body and I know how my health has been badly affected and is still being affected today by the 'autoimmune' response to the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine. My body reacted to the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine with all the autoimmune response symptoms of Covid 19, high temperature, laid up in bed aching head to toe, even down to the tips of my fingers and my butt cheeks! My symptoms then progressed on to developing and suffering with 8 months of chronic diarrhoea with blood in my stools. During 2022 I had two separate colonoscopy procedures and an endoscopy procedure. The diarrhoea symptoms eventually subsided after 8 months of taking prescribed anti-diarrhoea medication. There was no definitive diagnosis for these symptoms. My symptoms then progressed on to swelling in both of my legs and pain and swelling in my knees joints and painful ankle joints and shoulder pain. My GP referred me to see a Rheumatologist and I was also seen in the Vascular Clinic. My journey doesn't end there. Waited a year to see my Rheumatologist for an NHS Outpatient appointment. I was then told I have a condition called 'Lipoedema'. My Rheumatologist initially diagnosed me with a condition called 'Fibromyalgia'. I requested for a second opinion as I was not convinced based on my history and current symptoms this was correct. My Rheumatologist agreed to carry out ultrasounds on both of my ankles and shoulders and MRI's on both my knees. I was then diagnosed from the imaging with 'seronegative inflammatory arthritis'. Tried DMARD's Hydroxychloroquine and Methotrexate (intolerant to both). March 2024 started on biologic 'Yuflyma' Adalimumab fortnightly injections. Initially I had a good response, July 2024 not responding to biologic injections severe 'flare up' causing joint symptoms, particularly with pain, swelling and stiffness to worsen. Ultrasound shows up moderate 'synovitis' in my right ankle. Now after 3 years I have been properly diagnosed with 'Sero-ve Rheumatoid Arthritis'. Rheumatologist is now switching me to weekly alternative biologic 'Benepali', which is a biosimilar of Etanercept. If this is not effective my Rheumatologist has said to consider JAK inhibitors for me in the future. I feel relieved to have finally received a proper diagnosis. I feel sad I have been left damaged and that I cannot prove it. I am having to live with and manage this awful progressive autoimmune disease.

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