Hi Audrey,

Mine came on extremely suddenly in 1997, the doctors now think triggered by tragic life circumstances / a particular event. It really was one day I was reasonably fit and healthy, getting up at 6ish in the mornings to go jogging with my friend and literally went overnight to being unable to get out of bed one morning - undiagnosed for a year, I vaguely remember a year of real struggling and deep depression.
It was dire, I really feel for you just going through this, it brings back how dark things were at that time. Things will improve, keep going back to the professionals for help and support though and do let them know how you feel. I really hope they are able to help you to receive the right treatment that works for you.

Part of me thinks maybe I was always vulnerable with some connection to certain aspects of the disease which I'd previously refused to give in to, such as lifelong susceptibility to certain weaknesses and several rheumatic type illnesses in early childhood.
Its just about impossible to work out why and its so very hard to accept especially in early days of diagnosis and difficulties.

We are all very different in how the disease and it's symptoms affect us but one thing I think we all share is that we have to reach an acceptance that life has to change and I know I personally found that very difficult to deal with.

My symptoms are now managed really well with medication and I am so grateful, I know this isn't the case for everyone.

On the NRAS site there are some real life case studies about people living with RA, I thought maybe their stories may be helpful to read.

Stay in touch, please keep posting and big hugs back to you too,

Take care love Liz xxxxx

I had numerous 'aches and pains' for a good few years before it became so bad that I just KNEW there was something more serious going on. After diagnosis i did seem to get much worse very quickly and then slowly things improved to a certain extent, presumably once the right meds had been found.
I was wondering what you were taking and in what strength?

Hi Audrey

So sorry to read of your ongoing problems but please don't ever feel that you are being a pest for goodness sake! Whilst RA is a horrible disease with so many varying factors we are all in this together and can be supportive of one another. Sometimes that support can be a real boost as there's almost always someone on the forum who has experienced something similar.

My RA began in April 1988, three months after the birth of our daughter. I put the persistent foot pain/discomfort down to more walking (with baby in pram), well you would wouldn't you? I was used to sitting at a desk 7 hours a day! After a couple of months I went to see my GP and she suggested that it could be arthritis but told me not to worry as it probably wasn't but would refer me to a rheumatologist for investigation. Things stayed the same and I returned to work in the November.

Just before Christmas I went for my first rheumatology appointment. The doctor was very pleasant, gave me a thorough but gentle examination and arranged blood tests. A follow up appointment was arranged for a month later for a diagnosis. The following day I could barely move! I kid you not, so much for 'gentle' every joint in my body (well it felt like it!) was either stiff or red hot and swollen. My GP came out to visit and immediately got in touch with the rheumatologist. The diagnosis of sero-negative RA followed very soon after.

I managed to return to work after the New Year holiday armed with large doses of prednisolone and handfuls of painkillers. Each day was a mountain to climb as I retraced my steps to my top floor (of 3) office. Pulling my chair out from under my desk was so so hard, and unlocking and opening my desk drawers a nightmare. I treated myself to a few days off for my daughter's first birthday and my second hospital visit. I never set foot in my office again. Despite different treatments the RA quickly spiralled out of control, I was in huge amounts of pain, lost almost three stone in weight (and I was always fairly slim) and not coping at all well. I was given ill health retirement at the age of 33 and the prospect of a daunting future. It took a good two years from diagnosis but gradually things started to improve as suitable treatments were found. It was a very long haul!

I have since had three children, several surgical procedures and tried almost every treatment on offer but ... the disease changes and life with it. I was fortunate in some respects that when I was diagnosed 22 years ago information could only be obtained from library books which were inevitably many years out of date anyway. At the time I didn't appreciate the seriousness of the condition and for that I am truly grateful. Every cloud has a silver lining though and I did get to spend time at home with all four of my children, something I would otherwise have missed out on.

Sorry I've waffled on, but hope you are able to remain positive because with the right treatment things will improve. Keep in touch Audrey,

Lyn x

Hi Audrey,

My RA came on a few days after a flu jag, I still blame that for being the trigger. Within the space of 5 weeks I had gone from being a very active outdoor person to an invalid who needed helped on to my feet. I could not move my neck, I could hardly walk, I could not hold a cup, a brush, my hands were solid, stiff, and swollen. I was virtually bed ridden, but for the quick work of my doctor who recognized the signs and I was seen by a Rheumatologist the following day. These two doctors will be forever in my debt, It was said the following day it looked like RA but blood tests would prove it, my inflammation levels were very high. As well as having a high ccp level and RA factor when the results came back I did have RA. That was almost 3 years ago, I was put on a triple therapy combination right away and after a few minor hiccups I am really well now. It was a long haul in the beginning with lots of excruciating pain and tears and more painkillers than I care to remember. But I am well now and no longer on any painkillers and on 2 out of 3 of my triple therapy. I do get aches if I do too much and still have slight stiffness in my hands, but as soon as I move them slightly, it goes. I thank god each day that passes for giving me my life back, but for the quick action of my 2 doctors I would be in a wheelchair too. I have been very lucky to have been diagnosed so quickly and started on the drugs so fast. I so hope you get things sorted out soon, lots of hugs too. Thinking about you Lorna xx

Hi Audrey, mine wasnt so quick, it took a few months of foot pain and swelling, with the hand problems and neck etc joining in after around 3 months. I repeatedly went to the gp to be told its osteoarthritis, live with it. In all it took 9 visits in 5 mlonths to persuade them to to an RA factor test, event hough my molther had RA. I am now on 3 DMARDs and tramadol and paracetemol, still not working, reducing the pred slowly to 5mg. I have also been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Still working with babies, but feeling it really bad now. Been to bed from 4.30 to 7.30 to try to recover.

Hi Audrey
Mine came on over night. I woke to a very swollen and painful hand. Initially I thought I'd lent on it whilst asleep. As the day progressed it got more and more painful. I went to the GP that afternoon and he gave me some anti biotics and suspected an insect bite . The anti biotics worked until I finished the course and it then came back worse and went into both feet. Within a matter of weeks it was in nearly every joint of my body, including my neck which was very scarey. Luckily I am now on Humira which has been my life saver. Hope you get your meds sorted quickly.
Oh and enjoy your holiday
Kelly

Hi yes mine also came on quickly, I did not beleive it would get so bad so quickly.
I was diag in 2006 and we are still trying to find a good combo for me. Heres hoping!