Newly Diagnosed RA

Poppy59

hi

I’ve been newly diagnosed with RA at 59. I was awaiting the RF result from the hospital . The Dr having said a negative result would be good and mean seronegative. I was phoned today and told my RF was positive at 8.5. I am now v worried that a positive result means a much worse prognosis for the future. I feel totally overwhelmed at the moment and very tearful.
I have been restarted on Methotrexate 15mg as I had a few side effects after taking for 2 weeks snd not sure whether it was the steroid injection or methotrexate.
Looking for any advice on how to be more positive about the future .

Thank you

PJoanne

Hello @Poppy59

I don't have RA, but I often get quite down and overwhelmed by my symptoms and the knowledge that my situation is a chronic long term one. What works for me is to be kind to myself (allow space for those 'sad/negative' feelings) and to remember that those feelings pass . I have a simple breathing exercise that I find helpful and gentle excercising (swimming) is also key.

I've put some links in for you to read.

https://versusarthritis.org/news/2022/february/meditation-and-mindfulness-and-how-it-might-help-you/

https://versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/exercising-with-arthritis/

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

All the best Joanne

Toad

Hi Poppy,

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. In my experience you're probably at the worst part of your journey right now.

I was diagnosed 2 years ago, also aged 59, with an RF of 26. Methotrexate didn't help in my case (I read somewhere that it only effectively helps around 40% of users) so they moved me on to Leflunomide which helped a bit, and then on to the biological Adalimumab which was like a magic bullet and really reduced the symptoms within a couple of weeks.

I still suffer some fatigue and stiffness in the hands, but it's nowhere near as bad as it was and the progression seems to have been stopped in it's tracks.

So it might take a few months to find the right medication that works for you, but you'll get there.

Best of luck.

PJoanne

Hello @Toad , welcome to the forum. Thank you for joining, we hope you will find us a friendly and supportive place.

All the best Joanne

Poppy59

Thank you both for your comments. I’m hoping as you say once I get a treatment that helps I will start to feel more accepting of the diagnosis.
Thank you for taking the time to reply .