hi

sarah26

hi im new to this site. im 26 and on tuesday i found out that ive ra. its still a bit of a shock.

it took them 7 yrs to finally found out what with wrong with my thumb.

miss_l

Hi !
Just a quick not to say welcome !
Im sure you will find all sorts of advice and calming information !

Im 27 and was diagnosed with OA last week so know how much of a shock it is !

staceyh

Just wanted to say hi I am 25 and was diagnosed with ra 4 years ago so can imagine what you are going through, I have found this forum a great help over the last few days so if there is anything you want to ask go for it!

slummymummy

Hi Sarah,

Welcome to the site. I'm 34 and found out that I have RA 9 months ago. I have only just started to feel better (on methotrexate). Have you seen a specialist yet? What did they say? Have you got pain anywhere else, or just your thumb?

It's good that you found this site. It's really really helpful. It makes you feel sane, when everyone else around you makes you feel like you must be mad.

Slummy

sarah26

slummymummy wrote:

Hi Sarah,

Welcome to the site. I'm 34 and found out that I have RA 9 months ago. I have only just started to feel better (on methotrexate). Have you seen a specialist yet? What did they say? Have you got pain anywhere else, or just your thumb?

It's good that you found this site. It's really really helpful. It makes you feel sane, when everyone else around you makes you feel like you must be mad.

Slummy

poppy30

Just wanted to say welcome as well...... everyone here is so supportive and a great source of info!
I'm 30 and was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis 3 years ago.... although I had been struggling with joint pain for about 4-5 years previous to this which no one had successfully diagnosed! :x
Although getting the arthritis diagnosis can be very upsetting, part of me was relieved as at least I finally had an explanation for my pain and I was glad I wasn't going mad! :roll:

Hope you find this site as helpful as I do!

Poppy x

sarah26

no im off to see a physiotherapist on wed and a bit scared. im not takin anythin at the mo, but me friends have been really nice and helpin.

sarah x

woodbon

Hi and welcome,
Just to say hello, I have oa, but lots of people have ra. and can give really useful advice and information, so you're not alone. I'm sure its a difficult time for you now, and you must have lots of questions :!: You've come to the right place Sue.

sarah26

thank u. im seein a physiotherapist on wed which im not lookin forward to. But the doc was no help she didnt give me anything for the pain or swellin if it gets really bad.
like today with it been cold.
thank u again sarah x

frogmorton

Hi Sarah
Welcome to the forum
Sorry you have RA.
Things are moving now though and if they get worse your rheumy (you have got one haven't you?) will consider dmards with you.
Good luck at the physio on wednesday
Take care
toni x

colinone

sarah26 wrote:

hi im new to this site. im 26 and on tuesday i found out that ive ra. its still a bit of a shock.

it took them 7 yrs to finally found out what with wrong with my thumb.

Hi Sarah welcom to the forum
Colin

lindalegs

Hi Sarah and welcome,

I'm one of the veterans and have had RA since I was 27 for 22 years - I so sorry you've had to join this club and at the moment you must feel as though your world's caved in

At the moment you won't know how aggressive your RA is, as it's different in all of us, and you might find you don't have it very severely, fingers crosed But even if it was found to be aggressive there is lots of help available, modern drug (Dmards) will help to stop your RA progressing and damaging joints - so that's good news

Anything you need to know, just ask, as there's a wealth of information here on this website.

Luv Legs

sarah26

thank u every body has been really nice, i just dont know where to start lookin for information or what help i need cos the doc neva told me owt bout it just what ive got .

hopefully on wed ill have a better idea of whats goin on after me phyiso. hope it dont hurt to much

lov sarah xx

sarah26

can i ask how do u cope with the pain when it gets really bad or do u take medication for it, its just the doc neva gave me any thing for the pain or swellin when it gets bad, and when it gets that bad i find it really hard to do the normal day to day stuff like washin up and makin a drink.

sarah xx

lindalegs

Hi Sarah,

I really think you have to go back to your GP for some medication especially anti-inflamatories. In the meantime you could get paracetamol from your chemist or any other over-the-counter pain killer to help you out.

Hot baths help with the pain and either hot packs or ice packs put over a joint that's inflamed and swollen. You can make your own ice pack by just using a bag of frozen peas. Wrap your joint in a damp towel, then put the bag of peas on top, wrap both in a polythene bag and cover with a blanket. Keep on for 20 minutes, remove and then gently exercise the joint. Refreeze the peas for next time BUT DON'T EAT THEM :shock: I mark mine so that I know not to serve them up for dinner Wheat bags are really good too and all you have to do is pop them in the microwave for 80 seconds. These can be bought for about £3 from Wilkinsons. Or even a hot water bottle will give comfort to an aching joint.

That's all I can think of for now. Hope it helps.

Luv Legs

lindalegs

Hi Sarah,

I really think you have to go back to your GP for some medication especially anti-inflamatories. In the meantime you could get paracetamol from your chemist or any other over-the-counter pain killer to help you out.

Hot baths help with the pain and either hot packs or ice packs put over a joint that's inflamed and swollen. You can make your own ice pack by just using a bag of frozen peas. Wrap your joint in a damp towel, then put the bag of peas on top, wrap both in a polythene bag and cover with a blanket. Keep on for 20 minutes, remove and then gently exercise the joint. Refreeze the peas for next time BUT DON'T EAT THEM :shock: I mark mine so that I know not to serve them up for dinner Wheat bags are really good too and all you have to do is pop them in the microwave for 80 seconds. These can be bought for about £3 from Wilkinsons. Or even a hot water bottle will give comfort to an aching joint.

That's all I can think of for now. Hope it helps.

Luv Legs