Newly Diagnosed Rheumatoid Arthritis 39

lesley_ant
lesley_ant Member Posts: 1
edited 12. Aug 2025, 20:32 in Living with arthritis

Hello! I Am feeling a bit overwhelmed, after nearly 2 years of undiagnosed pain, fatigued and mobility issues I was finally diagnosed with RA yesterday. I’m starting medication Friday but I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed and not sure what I should be doing. Any advice for a newbie? The last decade has really beaten me down with one thing or another and these last two have pushed me mentally and physically.

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  • Ellen
    Ellen Moderator Posts: 1,989

    Hello @lesley_ant a very warm welcome to the online community.

    Of course you are feeling overwhelmed by your recent diagnosis. That's exactly why this information was put together by Versus Arthritis:

    https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/newly-diagnosed/

    What I will say now is that every single emotion, worry or feeling you have is perfectly normal. The good news too is that everyone here has already been where you are now and can support you through this.

    Hopefully someone will be along soon to share their own experience of being newly diagnosed. Keep posting keep talking and read reliable information is my advice. You can also ring our helpline if it would help to speak to a voice:

    https://www.versusarthritis.org/get-help/

    My best wishes

    Ellen.

  • helen1937
    helen1937 Member Posts: 5

    Hi. I’m newly diagnosed with Rheumatoid and Psoriatic Arthritis.
    Been to the consultant today had no end of information given to me so I too feel quite overwhelmed by it all.
    I start my Methotrexate on Thursday once I’ve had the all clear from my bloods.
    I’ve got 6 weeks worth of tablets and I’m staring at them thinking what am I going to feel like once I’ve taken them.
    Alll we can both do is go with it. And just look forward to the day of no pain and discomfort.
    I’ve just got to get my head around the blood tests every 2 weeks and then not forgetting to order more medication.
    So please try not to panic as I’m always here for a chat. xx

  • Nickicoley
    Nickicoley Member Posts: 4

    hi Lesley, I was exactly like you a couple of months ago, but my diagnosis came a bit out of the blue, all I can say is don't panic and get a decent calender to write everything down on. I had no idea how I was going to get it all organised, and at the same time I was going through the same trying to get my BP under control. I remember that consultation about mtx well but really it's not as bad as it seems when it comes to bloods, and ordering blood forms etc you will soon get organised, like I said, a good big calender… I use a magnetic one on the fridge so everything is there at a glance. I heard lots of horror stories of mtx and was scared to death of the stuff. Yes I'm getting nausea with it, been on it 8 weeks now, but it's not horrendous and if you have problems then the nurses I've found to be understanding and really helpful.

    always feel free to chat if you have things to ask I'll help ill help if I can.

  • Skate
    Skate Member Posts: 3

    Hello - I was diagnosed with RA in March this year.. it’s a lot to get your head round isn’t it. 2 years is a long time being in pain and not knowing the cause. Once the medication has kicked in I’m sure you will feel so much better.. I’ve just started Methotrexate alongside Hydroxychloroquine so fingers crossed this will reduce the inflammation symptoms asap!

  • Skate
    Skate Member Posts: 3

    Hello - I was diagnosed with RA in March this year.. it’s a lot to get your head round isn’t it. 2 years is a long time being in pain and not knowing the cause. Once the medication has kicked in I’m sure you will feel so much better.. I’ve just started Methotrexate alongside Hydroxychloroquine so fingers crossed this will reduce the inflammation symptoms asap!

  • Arciere
    Arciere Member Posts: 141

    Hi @lesley_ant @Nickicoley @helen1937

    I have a similar story in that I was in long term worsening pain and then the diagnosis was quite a shock.

    I can post about my views on lifestyle and diet for days - so do look at my other posts if you want/can.

    Everyone is different and our diagnoses and solutions appear to be very individual but, in my own story, I am making excellent progress with significant changes in thinking about diet. There is a lot of content that talks about a healthy Mediterranean diet but I’m starting to truly believe that the gut is the second brain and that those of us suffering chronic pain and inflammation can address part of this via what what we consume (along with reducing stress - I was caught in a long term emotionally stressful situation which I am confident did contribute to my diagnosis).

    So could I advocate that you look into the following things - it just might help you that’s all.

    • The AIP diet
    • Recipe books for Rheumatoid (or your flavour of inflammatory arthritis) widely available on Amazon
    • Your Microbiome health and nutrition

    I spent ages and got quite frustrated at trying to find a magic supplement to make me feel better. I found huge success removing food groups from my diet and then rebuilding and maintaining good gut health. There are loads of people on here that are further along with this, so feel free to ask questions.

    The reason I am telling you all this is because at no point did a medic make me aware of any of it. They just sought to medicate, which is fine, but the holistic approach is working. My disclaimer is that I still take a biologic medication but I am certain because of active flare ups, that I can improve my health through what I consume.

    so let food be thy medicine, which in reality means more than a Mediterranean diet,


    hope this helps

  • Arciere
    Arciere Member Posts: 141

    Oh sorry and @Skate :-)

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