Hello everyone

My name is Sue and I was diagnosed with ra 6 months ago. I have had 3 depo-medrone im injections which have helped a lot, but my last one does not seem to be working. I was taking 15mgs of methotrexate orally and then by injection, however nothing is working for me I am now in limbo while I wait to be assessed for the biologics. I have been told that a years treatment cost's £ 10 grand, that is the reason for being assessed over a period of 2 months, which i am sure you are all aware of..

I don't know anyone else with RA and I would love to know if anyone is experiecing very sore eyes ? I also have severe groin pains, so I could hardly walk and have ended up on a mobility scooter. Any one else with the groin pains ?

Forgive me for going on so much. Hope to get to know some of you, and look forward to your posts..

Best wishes

Sue.

Hi Sue

Welcome to the forum. I'm Lyn, had RA for 22 years and run the gamut of medication and various surgical procedures along the way. Currently on Enbrel (anti-tnf), Mtx, Prednisolone, Naproxen and a bucket load of other bits! I'm married to Mike, we have four kids at various stages of education, and live in Lancashire.

So sorry to learn that you have RA but pleased that the medics are looking at alternative treatment for you. I have been on the biologics for about 8 years now, I started with infusions of Infliximab which were like a miracle cure but unfortunately lost their efficacy after 12 months or so. I was then moved onto Enbrel with MTX in combination. It has certainly been effective for me and has slowed down the disease progression significantly. Unfortunately most of my problems now emanate from earlier joint damage for which nothing can be done other than surgery. Additional drugs have been added along the way to keep things under control.

The reason two assessments are done for the biologic drugs is to ensure that this type of treatment is reserved for patients with persistent active disease. The recommendation from the BSR is that patients should have a Disease Activity Score (DAS28) of greater than 5.1 on at least two occasions, 1 month apart, prior to commencing treatment. Sometimes less toxic drugs are adequate to meet the needs of less severe cases.

Sore dry eyes are common symptoms of RA and it may be worth asking for some synthetic tears such as 'Viscotears' to relieve the itchiness. Groin pains I'm less familiar with, thankfully, but as Barbara says can be linked with referred hip pain, either from the joint itself or thinning bone. Your Rheumatologist may consider doing X-Rays and a Dexa scan to rule out any problems. Worth mentioning.

Do keep posting Sue. You will find lots of friendly folk here and plenty of information and advice. take care

Lyn x

Hi Sue,

I've had RA for nearly 4 years, although I've had some bad times - also had some good times with different drugs I've been on. I hope you manage to find the right combination for you. Just before I was diagnosed, I had what I thought was really bad groin strain and could hardly walk. I can't be sure but from reading other people's experiences on the forum, I think it might have been pain from my hips. I'm sure someone more knowlegeable than me will see your post. Good luck in finding a suitable treatment.

Julie

Hello Sue, and welcome, though sorry you have RA.

I was diagnosed over 4 years ago now and spent over 18 months trying various drugs and combinations of drugs, then when nothing worked I was given anti-TNF therapy - humira, which has made a considerable difference to me.

Once you`ve tried and failed on two different DMARDs, including MTX you may be given a DAS assessment, to see how active your RA is. This is normally repeated a couple of months later.

I get groin pain sometimes, but was told it was coming from my hip, and it is really nasty.Have you been given painkillers of differing strengths? You may need something fairly strong if the pain is severe.

Take care,

Kathleen x

Hello Welcome Sue
Nice to meet you,
Im melly 38 had RA sicne 17,groin pains i get are muscular related to fibromyalgia,Im on hydroxychlorequine sulpahte,depo injections 3 a year.
and other bits bobs, do keep reading,posting.
I was on Mtx for 2 years now of to try for child,i took it orally it did stop my inflammtion levels going excssively high though found worked better with hydroxy added.
do you have any pain relief i didnt for a long time,gp gave me some to try i kept to same one as worked well for me.
as mtx doesnt help with pain.

take care.
Melly

Welcome Sue

This is a great place to be if you can't escape dreaded RA (which - sadly - none of us can) There is always someone who can help and give the benefit of their experience.
I'm Beth, diagnosed 2008, 2 grown up children, RA under control at present.
Keep posting.
Love Beth

Hi Sue,

I am Lorna, I have had RA for almost 3 years now, I had 3 steroid injections in the beginning and was on the triple therapy MTX, Sulphasalazine, Hydrox, and Folic Acid. I stopped the Sulfasalazine last August as I no longer need it. I was very ill in the beginning but I am much better now. Hope you get things sorted out soon, thinking about you. Lorna x

Welcome Sue! Sorry you have R A but this forum will help a lot .I am 66 and i have had RA for about 6 years. I have an injection of methetrexate and Plaquenil and i am quite well most of the time.There are some lovely people on this forum and you will get some good advice. I hope you get sorted soon with your medication . You will soon be feeling much better . Kathleen Mc.

Hello Sue and welcome to the forum. I look forward to chatting with you.

Eleanor x