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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/30/2010 Posts: 507 Location: Gravesend
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Hello all , good to be here , as it seems i will learn more on here than through my "health Care Team" after 2 years of tiredness and joint pain , as of last Thursday am now taking DMARDS (Arava). It has taken so long to get to this stage and so long to get a diagnosis , and after reading info on this site i am surprised that my Nurse specialist appointment is 4 months away!!! I haven't worked in over two years , but have been volunteering over that time, when i can , to try and keep myself employable and in effect change career(i hope). At least i volunteer in an environment that allows me to learn current and future Benefits and DDA legislation ;) including the advantages of back to work Benefits. I had a perfect job for me come up last week , but still do not think i am ready, even if jobshare is available (for lots of issues) Anyway rant over , as that look never has suited me :) Regards Rich :) "The difference between 'involvement' and 'commitment' is like an eggs-and-ham breakfast: the chicken was 'involved' - the pig was 'committed'."
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,157 Location: Huddersfield
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Hi Richard,
Welcome to the forum!
Sorry you've had such a long journey to get a diagnosis, although sadly this is not unusual .
I am 60 and have had RA for 9 years, now on mtx and humira. I have definitely learnt much more about RA on this forum than anywhere else.
Good to hear that you have at last started on a DMARD, I hope it works well for you.
Looking forward to getting to know you.
Love, Doreen xx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 561
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Hi Richard welcome , but sorry you have Ra, i am Sophie 35 ive had Ra for 15 years i also have lupus, you will be glad you've found this site as its really helpful,
Sophie x
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/7/2009
Posts: 176
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Hello there, Richard.
Sorry that you have had to join us, but I hope that continue to find the site useful. A BIG well done for the volunteering! We are told to try not to give up too much, so keeping your mind busy with learning all that stuff can only be good for you and your future - I guess there will be many changes coming up soon, in all those areas.
As to the wait to see the Nurse Specialist, I guess the idea is to give the drugs a chance to work - many take 12 weeks plus to be effective. But, if you have increasing pain,or just need to be heard, - and they offer a telephone HelpLine (with mine I can leave a message on the Answerphone) Ask if they can see you sooner.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 1,524 Location: W. Yorkshire
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Hi Richard and a warm welcome to you from West Yorkshire.  YES I'VE CHANGED, PAIN DOES THAT TO PEOPLE.
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/30/2010 Posts: 507 Location: Gravesend
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Thank you all for your kind welcomes :) Rich  "The difference between 'involvement' and 'commitment' is like an eggs-and-ham breakfast: the chicken was 'involved' - the pig was 'committed'."
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,689 Location: Durham
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Hi Richard, and welcome to the forum, though I`m sorry you fit the membership criteria.Who wants to have RA??? You will get lots of info and help on here - I still bless the day I found this forum. Take care, Kathleen.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/18/2010 Posts: 1,098 Location: farningham kent
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Hi Rich
Welcome to the forum, as you know you will get a wealth of support and info on here - we know how each other feels.
Its great that you have kept so positive with your voluntary work, it too keeps you up to date with with various issues.
Hope all goes well with the Arava meds, keep us posted.
Best wishes Julia
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 856
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Hi Rich- a welcome from me too.
It took nearly a year of increasing pain in various joints bere I finally got to see a consultant and get a diagnosis, back in Feb 2008.
I've had a lot of ups and downs but am still working although I'm beginning to wonder how long I can keep going .I'm a secondary school teacher which in itself is stressful without the RA! I've promised myself that I'll give it another year and see how it goes, then make a decision.
The forum's such a lifeline,and you can be sure that whatever your questions/ concerns someone here will be able to offer support and advice.
Take care
Maria
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,110 Location: London
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Hi Rich, welcome from me too. As said, its not unusual to wait so long for a diagnosis. At least now you have one!! even though its a not very pleasant one!! everyone here is great, and very knowledgeable, and yes, you will probably find out more here than from your team. Well done for volunteering, its good to keep as busy as possible. I still work, I am a childminder, have had most of the summer off though, so been a good rest. Keep reading and posting, take care BARBARA
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/20/2010 Posts: 1,749 Location: Somerset
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Welcome to NRAS forum
I am sorry you have the dreaded RA but you will find this forum brilliant.
I am Rose aged 56 from Somerset. Diagnosed nearly 2 yrs ago, had bad experience on MTX
so had to come off and also leflun , so now waiting for a new DMARD. All very frustrating
isn't ? I only see my Rhummy nurse 1 per year.
Rose
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/8/2010 Posts: 914
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Hi Richard, I'm Lorna I have had RA for almost 3 years, It had me really ill in the beginning but with the triple therapy I am now well under control. Sorry you have RA but you will be glad you have found the forum. It's helpful and you are no longer alone. There will always be someone to answer you questions. Take care Lorna
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/8/2009 Posts: 230 Location: Leicester
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Hi Rich Welcome to the forum *waves* I'm Helly, born with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, although not diagnosed until I was almost 3. This went into remission when I was 12, but came back last September. I am currently on anti-inflammatories (etodolac) and dmards (hydroxychloroquine), which seems to be kicking the arthritis back into remission. Look forward to getting to know you and seeing more of your posts  Helly x Celebrating 10yrs of National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society Doing a Tandem Skydive - May 2011 - All Sponsorship Welcome - www.justgiving.com/helencopeland Read my blog - Helly Copeland
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 331 Location: South London
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Hi Rich, Welcome to the forum. I too am trying to get back to work and looking to go part-time. Would be very interested to hear about you getting back in to the work mode and your volunteering. Take care
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 2,127
Location: Thornton Cleveleys
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Hi Rich Welcome to the forum. A great place to be for support and information; lots of folk, lots of knowledge and a wealth of tried and tested experiences! I'm Lyn, married to Mike, we have four children, Abby 22, Ian and Jake 17, and Louis 15. All four in various stages of education! We live in Thornton Cleveleys in north west Lancashire. I was diagnosed with sero-negative RA 22 years ago and have since run the gamut of medication and had several surgical procedures along the way. Currently on Enbrel, Prednisolone and Naproxen and a jolly assortment of pain killers! Just trying to get a recent flare under control after cessation of methotrexate (due to neutropenia) and temporary stoppage of Enbrel for an op. All good fun isn't it ... not!!! Heyho! I too have had Leflunomide (Arava) but only for 3 months as it just wasn't doing anything for me. You may have better luck, it's a case of finding the drug that is right for you, which is one of the downsides as it can take so long. Fingers crossed for you. It does take time for the drugs to kick in which will be why there's quite a wait for your next appointment. All being well you will see a good improvement before then! I too do voluntary work and although at times it stresses me out (especially when I want to do things and the body says no!) it has been a lifeline and help me keep a modicom of sanity. I had to take medical retirement from my job as a manager of a Legal Aid office some 20 years ago so being able to feel 'useful' still is rewrad in itself. Look forward to getting to know you better Rich, do keep posting! Lyn x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 263
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]Welcome to the forum Rich ! Kathleen MC.
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