new to RA help!

page35

Hi all
was diagnosed 5 days ago with RA and feel like my world has ended, cant sleep but very tired, dont feel like eatting and just keep crying.
i have 2 kids and partner who is trying his best to understand but it must b hard for him too.
any coping tips or advice please

mistywillow

page35 wrote:

Hi all
was diagnosed 5 days ago with RA and feel like my world has ended, cant sleep but very tired, dont feel like eatting and just keep crying.
i have 2 kids and partner who is trying his best to understand but it must b hard for him too.
any coping tips or advice please

Hi page 35
Feel for you big time!! It is such a shock to be told you have RA but there is life after RA honest!! It might mean some adjustments in your lifestyle and a bit of help with the kids and yes it's a change for your partner too, but everyone has it at different levels so don't imagine worse case scenarios. ( I have RA and was horseriding up to a couple of years ago but I also have spinal problems unrelated to RA) So what is needed is a positive outlook, learning how the arthritis is affecting you personally, keeping yourself as fit as possible within limits of your pain and mustering up some support from family, friends, wherever. This site will give you oodles of support. I only joined it recently and it has been a blessing. The people on here totally understand where you are coming from and are so kind and helpful whatever the problem. So good luck and keep us posted. Other replies will be flooding in soon although i think there might have been a problem with the site yesterday as i could nt log in. Take care of yourself Gillx

frogmorton

Hi Page 35
Firstly a big welcome from me to this forum. If anyone can help you it's us lot.
Right I expect you have had some symptoms for at least a little while? You went to the GP and eventually had bloods taken and now they say it's RA.
This is a terrible shock isn't it? You probably think your life is over and will never be the same again. I was exactly the same. (this was summer last year) I cried for at least a week all day every day. If it hadn't have been for these guys I don't know how I would have survived. I did I have and I'm here! I'm ok and so will you be.
I don't know how bad you are feeling at the moment healthwise, or what medication they have put you on, but theonly way is UP!!! I put my life a bit on hold until I was confidant that I was not going to spend my whole life havinga flare. Now I swim 3 times a week and have been abroad and am doing the race for life - even if it turns out to be a hobble for life - in July.
Your feelings of fear, anxiety, anger frustration, shock, denial maybe are all entirely to be expected. Your life might not be exactly the same as it was BUT it gives you a chance to look at your life and maybe the new one will be different, but it could even be better?! Mine is. I appreciate things more now. I am well and Very very lucky.
You take very good care of yourself. Expect all those mixed up feelings and share them with us. We have all been there (and may still be) so we will listen and support you.
Toni x

page35

thank you for your kind and supportive words.
i am new to using the internet and this is my first forum so please bare with me.
i am 33 and i first got pains in july. my hands are the worst but also have pain in my feet, shoulders,knees and stiff hips. i had an injection in my hand in feb which helped and an injection in my bottom for all pains on monday which hasnt helped (or not yet). yesterday started taking hydroxychloroquine sulphate. :shock:
thanks again

skezier

Hi Page 35,
I just wanted to echo what Toni and Gill have said, and yes I also think the fact I have oa and pain etc has made me more aware of others.
It does come as a shock, I have spent the last few years collecting conditions and each one has taken time to come to terms with and I promise you you do come to terms with it. In my case I adopt the ostrich approach and then put my head down and charge at it! I think we do all need a bit of time and then we come to terms with what ever it is.
I hope you find the site useful, there was a thread about the injections recently and it seems everyone reacts differently to them. The one thing I do know this is the best place for you to have found, I also am fairly new and when I found it I was very down. These people here are very supportive and sometimes thats all I need. Except a magic cure of course, oh and a quick trip to the end of the rainbow! Take care and fingers crossed that your treatment soon kicks in and you feel better. Cris

lindalegs

Hi Page and welcome to the forum,

I have RA too and have had it for 23 years. My husband and I have brought up our two sons with RA as a rather large gooseberry in the middle - which quite frankly I'd like to skin and boil alive with acetic acid :shock: :shock: - the gooseberry I mean not my sons and husband.

Life will be very difficult for you all at the moment but you especially and you're bound to go through the 'Why Me' phase - I didn't cry for a week like Toni (she's brave) I think I wept for 3 years :roll: You will come through this and when you've seen a Rheumatologist and got your meds sorted life will become easier again.

Anything you need to know in the meantime, just ask, as we're the experts.

Luv Legs

woodbon

Hi,
I just wanted to welcome you. This is a forum I'm sure you'd rather not have to join, but everyone is very helpful and I'm sure you'll pick up some useful tips! I have OA not RA, but still get pain. :? At the moment you must be in shock, but be kind to yourself and except you feel down for a bit and also talk to the helpline, they can send you some useful information, and knowledge really is power. Don't look at some of the web sites, which show the very worst cases, it only causes needless worry! I know I've done it!!! :roll: Take care, its early days, and I'm sure you'll cope. Love Sue

debsmartin

Hi Page35

Welcome to the forum, I know how you feel it is a big shock trying to take everything in but you have joined a great forum everyone here is so happy to help and provide info. I think its just knowing that a few clicks away somebody is there to offer reassurance.

Take care

debs

plmb48

hi page 35
welcome to the fourum nothing to add to what every one has said except this it may sound harsh but when we are told we have RA its a shock its unfair why me all these things come to mind but we have it and we cant get rid of it so we have to outsmart it we canot let it beat us you will in future years have a cry now and then you pick yourself up and start again let the kids help you let your partner help dont try to be a hero RAafter all is going to be a family problem you will see in time how it makes you laugh too.leave the dusting and ironing till you have a better day or point out iron cooker washer micro and hoover to them then start your own school to show just how these things work .i just wish you all the best in the future i have had RA for 29 years my youngest son was 7 when i got diagnosed .pauline

debatat

Just wanted to say hi. The others have given you great advice. The site is great, the people are very helpful. Keep posting it does help you to adjust. Also find out as much info as you can it helps you to take back a bit of control. It is a difficult time, but hopefully the meds will help you.

Take care
Deb

frogmorton

page35 wrote:

thank you for your kind and supportive words.
i am new to using the internet and this is my first forum so please bare with me.
i am 33 and i first got pains in july. my hands are the worst but also have pain in my feet, shoulders,knees and stiff hips. i had an injection in my hand in feb which helped and an injection in my bottom for all pains on monday which hasnt helped (or not yet). yesterday started taking hydroxychloroquine sulphate. :shock:
thanks again

Hi Page
I too am on hydroxy. So far so good I think it has helped. I had injection in my bum too and THINK :?: maybe it helped too? Not really sure. I just think the flare was maybe going anyway. It didn't hurt so I would try again in future.
I had no real probs at all with meds just a tidgy bit of the runs if I took it witghout food, but I'm like that with all meds.
I hope you are reasonably well at the moment.
Keep posting and we'll help all we can
Take care
Toni x

page35

thank you all. i actually got some sleep last night. dont feel so alone. and injection must have kicked in as pain loads better today. thank you all for your replies it means so much to know others will take the time to give advice or comforting words. glad i found you. hope in future i can help others.

breane

Hi and welcome to the forum.I have OA not RA but do have quite severe pain in the hands and pain in knees and feet.I was diagnosed last Dec. and like you,it came as a shock. However,I have found this forum to be full of helpful people and I have received a lot of useful advice from other members.I am sure it weill be of help to you too.Take care, Breane.