|
|
|
Rank: Newbie
Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/4/2010
Posts: 4
|
Hi there
I've been a member of NRAS for a few months but have just joined the forum so I thought I'd introduce myself. I'm Nicky, 25 years old and was diagnosed with RA last May. Still not sure whether i've fully accepted it yet, I think I go into denial becuase I want to forget about it! There is no history of it in my family and because I am quite young I was so shocked that I could get it at my age and, like most people, I too didn't know anything about it.
I've been on methotrexate and hydroxycloroquin since June and finally stopped taking the painkillers I was prescribed back in January so was quite pleased with that. I had to give up the gym and netball which I really enjoyed but I'm starting to get back into my fitness now which is making me feel a lot better. I think the hardest thing for me has been getting used to not drinking on methotrexate - my lifestyle has had to change quite rapidly which I found quite difficult!
It's really good to know that there are others out there in the same boat who have once felt a little 'lost' in the past any information or advice would be greatly received!
Look forward to speaking to you
Nicky x
|
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 2,127
Location: Thornton Cleveleys
|
Hi Nicky  Welcome to the forum but sorry to hear that you have RA. I'm Lyn, married to Mike and we have four children. We live in Thornton Cleveleys in Lancashire. I have had RA for 22 years now, I was 31 when I started with it, and run the gamut of medications and surgical procedures. I'm currently on a cocktail of Enbrel, Methotrexate, Prednisolone, Naproxen, two lots of pain killers and a few other bits and pieces to keep the body ticking over! Acceptance of the disease is difficult especially when you have to make changes to your life style to accommodate it. I try not to think about it either, perhaps it is a form of denial, but I prefer to think it doesn't warrant my time spent thinking about it any more than I actually have to  I'm pleased to hear that you are getting positive results from the medication. You will find lots of advice here on the forum and it is always so helpful to read the experiences of others. Everyone is friendly and very supportive. Look forward to getting to know you better, Lyn x
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 872
|
Hello there Nicky,
Welcome to the forum sorry you have RA at young age, it can be really difficult to accept but hope it does help to find others in the same boat,
I was in mid twenties when I developed symptoms but over time and somehow or other slowly learned to adjust, I'm 39 now, not quite sure how that happened - think a decade must have whizzed by on fast forward.... ;)
Look forward to "chatting" more in future,
Take care love Liz xx
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 2,237 Location: nr Southampton
|
Hi Nicky
A Big WELCOME from me too. I am Jenni, I got RA when I was about 20, I am 34 now.
I have 3 children a husband and a cat! Worked as a teacher for 9 yrs then, well, i turned out to have severe RA and then had a baby!
Never mind!
are you working Nicky? how are you finding it?
Jenni xxhow to be a velvet bulldoser
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/18/2010 Posts: 1,098 Location: farningham kent
|
Evening Nicky
Really pleased you have joined us, you will get invaluable advice and support on here as you perhaps know already.
My name is Julia, 54 with a son of 18 who is studying at uni, which is close to where we live. I was first incorrectly diagnosed with reactive arthritis in May 09 and had to go to private consultant who I found on the internet ! as I was not getting far and in considerable pain. I was correctly diagnosed in September 09 and started treatment of leflunomide in early Feb along with hydroxychloroquin, and looks like I m now going in the right direction.
It is good to know that you are doing well on your meds and off painkillers, wishing all the best.
Love Julia xx
|
|
|
|
Rank: Newbie
Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/4/2010
Posts: 4
|
Hi All
Thanks for making me feel so welcome!
It's good to hear you all talking very positively about how you are dealing with RA and getting on with medication!
In response to your question Jenni, yes I do work, have a desk job- so not too active but I found when I first had symptoms and was not on medication it was a struggle to get in to work some days but they were very understanding about it which was good. One thing I find really strange and I don't know about any of you is how horrible i felt when i was in pain and did not know what was wrong with me and couldn't even get to work, now I cannot even remember how that felt and couldn't even describe it - does that make sense? Fingers crossed this medication will mean that i never have to feel like that again. The only thing now is to sort my hands out, the hands is where it all started back in Jan 08 with 'trigger fingers' and now i fear they will never go back to normal and will always be painful and restricted movement but i hope that the medication will sort that out.
Anyway I look forward to speaking to you over various topics in the next few weeks!
Nicky x
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 327
|
Hi Nicky
Glad to have you on the forum, but sorry you've got RA. As you're already finding, this forum is full of supportive people who are all very friendly, and you can often find the answers to the questions that are bothering you on here - there's sure to be someone who's asked the same question before!
Anthea
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,157 Location: Huddersfield
|
Hi Nicky,
Welcome to the forum.
I'm so glad your medication is working well for you. It's not surprising you are finding it hard to come to terms with the RA, I've had it for 9 years now and still go into denial at times!
Looking forward to getting to know you.
Doreen xx
By the way, you can still drink a small amount of alcohol with the mtx. I have a small glass of wine every day.
|
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/27/2010
Posts: 75
|
Hi Nicky
Welcome to the forum.
I'm Claire, i'm 34 and was diagnosed in 2008. I've found wonderful support and advice on this forum.
Looking forward to getting to know you
Clairexx
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 561
|
Hi Nicky welcome to the forum , im Sophie 35 have RA and lupus , you will find this forum very helpful , i wish id found it years ago lol , glad the meds are working for you ,
Sophie x
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,006 Location: Timperley
|
Hi Nicky
Welcome to the forum, but sad you have RA.
I'm 66 and one of the "lucky" ones, in that I didn't start with RA until I was in my late 50's.
I'm so pleased that your meds have brought the RA under control and that you are managing to work and get back some of your fitness.
Looking forward to getting to know you.
Love
Jeanxxxx
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/17/2010 Posts: 42
|
Hi Nicky and welcome to the forum
Sorry to hear you have RA and so young too. Good to read you are now getting back into your fitness regime. It is so hard dealing with a new illness but the enforced change in lifestyle can make things more difficult to bear.
I am 40 and was diagnosed with RA 4 weeks ago. The news is just sinking in but I think I really am in a place called denial at the moment. There is lots to take in but I think this forum is a useful place to start since there are lots of people on here with loads of advice.
All the best and keep on posting.
Agnes x
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 872
|
Hiya Nicky,
I have it most of all in my hands, i still work full time - i have a partial desk job - & provide active social care, not very much time allocated for computing tasks so not always easy.......
but there is lots of support out there from pens to keyboards, there's lots of info and links on the NRAS pages xx
also maybe you could discuss some gentle hand exercises with physio / OT, i find these very helpful xx
Fatigue is a big part of the R.A. problem - hard to get used to & accept but VERY REAL, making pacing tasks vital,
Take care love Liz xx
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 690
|
Hi Nicky, A big warm welcome to the forum . I'm 50, married, and have our 23 yr-old daughter living at home with us, and was diagnosed 18 months ago. I still find this disease very confusing, but count myself lucky that I've only had this illness for a short time and that it didn't hit me when I was younger, unlike my poor nephew, and others here on the forum, who have grown up with the disease. Pleased to hear that you are managing to keep the illness under control with meds and able to work. Don't forget that your employer is duty bound to make reasonable adjustments to your place of work, (I was thinking of your workstation here) to support you whilst in employment. Take Care, and keep posting, love, Barbara XXXXXX
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/7/2010 Posts: 441 Location: Bristol
|
Hi Nicky,
Welcome to you!
Glad your meds seem to be making a difference and you can get back to doing some of the more active pastimes you enjoy.
Looking forward to getting to know you!
Joanna
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/18/2010 Posts: 1,098 Location: farningham kent
|
Nicola-T wrote:Hi All
Thanks for making me feel so welcome!
It's good to hear you all talking very positively about how you are dealing with RA and getting on with medication!
In response to your question Jenni, yes I do work, have a desk job- so not too active but I found when I first had symptoms and was not on medication it was a struggle to get in to work some days but they were very understanding about it which was good. One thing I find really strange and I don't know about any of you is how horrible i felt when i was in pain and did not know what was wrong with me and couldn't even get to work, now I cannot even remember how that felt and couldn't even describe it - does that make sense? Fingers crossed this medication will mean that i never have to feel like that again. The only thing now is to sort my hands out, the hands is where it all started back in Jan 08 with 'trigger fingers' and now i fear they will never go back to normal and will always be painful and restricted movement but i hope that the medication will sort that out.
Anyway I look forward to speaking to you over various topics in the next few weeks!
Nicky x
Hi Nicky I know what you mean about feeling " horrible " pain does make you feel very unwell, when I was at that stage too, just about dragging myself into work the pain being so severe I was practically passing out( didn t have a clue I had RA and on hardly on anything ) Like you say you do forget and move on, and what a good job too ! Look forward to you keeping in touch. Love Julia x
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 856
|
Hi Nicky
A warm welcome from me too.
I was also lucky in that I didn't get RA til I was 50 (I'm alost 53 now) although I still complain like mad about it!!There's no pleasing some people I guess. I'm glad to hear the meds are working for you. I've managed to lead an almost normal life so far although I do have the occasional 'off' day. I often overdo things and then pay for it the next day, but to be honest, I'm determined not to give in, and enjoy life while I can. I find though, that I do recover more quicky these days.
My hands were hit the hardest at first, but they have settled down,and apart from one of my little fingers being stiff (which I hardly notice) they're ok.
In the early days, I went through a very bad phase of thinking I'd never be able to do anything again, and now can hardly remember waht the pain was like.
All the best
Maria x
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/18/2010 Posts: 1,098 Location: farningham kent
|
Hi Maria
Having just read your post, and your positive attitude, I would be pleased to know what meds you take, my hands/wrists have been the worst as well.
Many thanks Julia x
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/6/2009 Posts: 67
|
Hi Nicky, welcome. I'm 39 diagnosed last may. I'm in denial too! Kept thinking i'd get a letter saying it was all a mistake! I take methotrexate and hydroxyquinnine, folic acid and gaviscon!  I work 22hrs a week which is too much! Keep well! dawnybee
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,582 Location: Oxfordshire
|
Hi Nicky,
So glad you've joined the forum. I have grown up with the pleasures of RA (not) as I was dx at 8 and half...I am now MUCH older! and married to Mark with five children.
Being a young lady with RA is incredibly hard at times and you need much support and understanding from those around you.
I have also been on MTX (recently came off it) for three years and it is considered the no1 med for RA with fantastic results over the years. Give it time as it needs to settle into the system.
Now, the drinking is probably the most serious problem about being on MTX! LOLOL I absolutely HATED not being able to polish off my red wine (I love wine) but in the end, and this was after a good three/four months of being on it, I had a glass a night. The rheumy just told me never to binge on it but one to two glasses was accpetable, of course this depends on your liver results (which are monitored very carefully) and other factors. And this is just my own experience with it.
I also never drank on my mtx night.
Love,
Amanda
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
