New to Forum with longstanding RA

fossillady

I've been lurking for awhile now and thought it was about time I introduced myself.
My name is Marie, I am nearly 38 and have had Rheumatoid Arthritis for 19 years. I was diagnosed when I was 18 and had just started training to become a nurse :? The RA first started in my thumb and within a couple of months it had flared up into all my joints. After numerous visits to my GP I got referred to a Rheumatologist and this is where I was diagnosed with RA. I was put on steroids for a couple of months and started on Sulphasazine, stronger pain killers and began Physio. 19 years later I am still on the steroids, albeit a lower dose, but have also gone through the full range of drugs available. Penicillamine, Gold, Methotrexate, Diclofenic etc
I am now on Etanercept, Methotrexate injections, Prednisolone, Celebrex and Tramadol along with numerous other drugs to help with side effects of the Rheumy meds. I was also diagnosed with Fibromyalgia about 13 years ago as well.
Over the years I have learnt how to cope with RA and know how unpredictable it can be. I haven't been able to have children as I have never been well enough to come off the meds to conceive but my hubby and I are fine with that now. The RA affects all of my joints in varying degress. I have had numerous surgeries and injections, have 2 fused wrists and will need an elbow replacement, lumbar fusion and jaw replacement some time in the future. All in all the RA hasn't been that kind to me but with the help of my wonderful husband, a good medical team, meds and a great sense of humour I lead a reasonable life. I like to think I have a positive attitude and by taking each day at a time and accepting the RA I find it's easier to live with......some days however it's just not that easy

elnafinn

Hi lady

Welcome to the forum. We need people like you on here. You have not let arthur beat you. What a fantastic team you have backing you up, along with what sounds like a brilliant husband. A sense of humour always helps, heaps I feel. It is no good feeling bitter all the time - that takes up so much energy and we need that energy for other things.

With all the drugs you take/have taken you must be an expert on them all.

I really hope you stay around on here because I feel positive that you will be able to put all your experience of arthur to good use, helping others who join the forum.

I wish you a good weekend and hope to see your name appearing on here again.

Luv
Elna x

debsmartin

Hello and welcome, it certainly sounds like RA has been unkind to you but it was lovely to hear you sound so positive, I too echo that I think you will be a great help to us all on the forum.

debs

fossillady

Thanks for the welcomes It seems like a really friendly site to be involved with.

I will gladly stick around and hope that I can be of use to fellow members. I wish there was something like this when I was diagnosed but the internet wasn't around then (crikey that makes me sound old and I'm only 37 )


Take care everyone,
Marie

jackie1955

Hi Marie,

Your right this site is a godsend! I really didn't know anything about arthritis until it hit me personally - just thought it was an affliction of 'old age', causing aching joints and knobbly mishapen hands

Initially I was scared and shocked when I found out just how destructive it can be then I found this site where I learnt that most people not only learn to cope with having the disease but they actually LIVE and ENJOY their life still

Your experience of living with arthur for many years will make very good reading on here, and with your positive spirit you can really inspire us too

Jackie x

lindalegs

Well Fossillady welcome to the Forum. I echo your sentiments entirely and I wish I'd had something like this 23 years ago when I first started with RA.

This site answers so many of our questions, gives us room to rant, we have a laugh and support each other when we're worried. As Elna and others have said your advice and experiences will be so valuable to others, especially those peeps in the early days.

Keep posting and glad your found us.

Luv Legs

woodbon

Hi,
Its great you've got such a positive attitude. I only wish that I could be more like you! My problem is OA in my neck, spine etc. I have no children either, but thats due to another problem causing a hystorectomy before I married. I'm just happy to be over that, though :!:

Glad you're going to stay around, you must have lots of useful tips. Love Sue

colinone

Hi Fosillady
Welcome to the site glad to have you with us

On Wednesday 8th April we are going to try and set a new record for most people being online at the same time on this site. I think the time is set for 6pm if you can join us please let BADGER know. If you cant locate him have a look on CHIT CHAT FORUM under are we going to break the record. We need your help to do this so please join us.
Colin

frogmorton

Hi Fossilady
WOW!!! What a star you are!!
Welcome to the site - I hope we will be of use to you and it sounds like you have plenty to say to help us!
Very very happy to have you on board
Take care
Toni x