My name is Rose and I was diagnosed with RA sero negative in late 2008 - After lots of ex rays , mri's etc I was started on methotrexate and then gradually
sulphasalazine was added - my liver played up so the the later was stopped and i restarted on just the meth. again but again my liver again became abnormal
in Nov 2009 - so i stopped all DMARDs then. I have just been taking naproxen and amitriptline. Being told I had to give me body a rest before they could re-strart
me. I saw my Spec nurse in Feb who recommended Leflunomide so have been waiting to start this. However due to a stressful job in management working v
long hours and becoming extremely stressed, on going to my Doc and taking my blood pressure 178/105 i was signed off for past 4 weeks.I have been
started on 2 bp tablets and my bp is gradually coming down.

My doc says I have a flare and gave me an depo injection to tide me over, but this has not touched my hands, my feet(although I have seen OT and given
hand splints, and inserts for shoes. I am extremely tired, emotional, crabby wonder how things will turn out and will I ever get on DMARDS -

Yesterday I was given a new sick note - 'fitness to work' for 6 months. I worry about my job, will I get back, and this anxious state obviously
is not good for me. He suggested I went on a depression drug - i declined.

I look forward to meeting my new friends.

Hi Rose,

I'm in the seron negative RA "club" too, and we seem to have had similar experiences with the DMARDs. My liver ALTs when I started treatment was normal, however, every time I started a new drug the ALT level increased and was later told that I cannot take this class of drugs due to the impact on my liver. I am now, apart from taking pain relief meds, on no drugs for my RA, and waiting to see what I can take next.

I think during the first year after receiving the diagnosis it is very hard to cope with the illness as there is so much information to take in, tests, and concerns about what the future may hold, that it is not uncommon for people to become depressed. I've had a lot of complications with my health and was also diagnosed last year with 4 prolapsed discs in my spine. I became very low in mood and upon medical advice agreed to take an anti-depressant. I can honestly say it was the best thing I did, and it has certainly helped me to manage and cope with my health problems. It was a difficult decision for me to make at first, as I have worked as a mental health social worker for many years and thought I could manage my mental health. I didn't realise at the time how my physical health problems impacted upon my mental well-being until, until I had first hand experience of it. I am on an anti-depressant, feel better for it, and now feel that I can cope with this odd and strange disease called RA.

With regards to work, Lizzie sent you some useful links. Don't worry, it is not all doom and gloom as RA is considered as a disability and you will have rights to protect you whilst in work under the Disability Discrimination Act.

Take Care,

love,

Barbara
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