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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/7/2010
Posts: 2
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Hello folks, I'm Jon, 39 years old from Northamptonshire and have recently been diagnosed with RA. It started with a cold last Christmas - but as the cold dissappeared the pain in my joints and limbs did not. My Gp has been pretty good - he thought my symptoms would 'clear up' but they did not. He performed many blood tests and ramped up my medication before referring me to a consultant/RA clinic a couple of months ago. I have just started my long term treatment plan of Methotrexate,Hydroxychloroquine and folic acid. I have also received a few seroid injections (most effective so far). Having read through a few posts after joining this evening i'm already feeling a bit more upbeat as i can see this is a very suppotive and informative forum. Don't have any major questions at the moment - i'm sure that will change! Cheers for now Jon 
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 2,127
Location: Thornton Cleveleys
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Hi Jon Welcome to the forum! The place to be for lots of useful life experiences and support. Sorry to hear that you have RA but it sounds as though your doctors are doing a great job! Fingers proverbially crossed that the twin therapy works for you; it's a well tried and tested route and methotrexate is regarded as the gold standard drug in the treatment of RA. 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. Heyho, all good fun?!  I do voluntary work to keep myself occupied 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 reward in itself. Look forward to getting to know you Jon, Lyn x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/20/2010 Posts: 1,749 Location: Somerset
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Hello Jon, Sorry yoy have RA but welcome to the forum you will find this forum great always someone who can answer a query or buck you up. You seem to have the RA in check so thats great long may it continue I am Rose from Somerset aged 56 diagnosed nearly 2 yrs ago but unfortunatley i am still not on a DMARD that suits me. I am waiting to hear back from my Specialist who has been on 4 week break to hear what is next for me - MTX, Sulph, lefuno all failed. I am on amitryt, celebrix, and pain killers. like you also steriod injections last one 6 wks ago and I certainly notice that it has worn off. Fatigue is find is a huge problem with me. Keep posting Rose 
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 1,524 Location: W. Yorkshire
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And welcome Jon from me, Julie from West Yorkshire! YES I'VE CHANGED, PAIN DOES THAT TO PEOPLE.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/18/2010 Posts: 1,098 Location: farningham kent
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Morning Jon Good you have joined us here, and pleased to hear you are now on the long term treatment, just a matter of time til they all kick in and do the job  I was dx about a year ago now, after a few months in the wilderness trying to work out what was wrong with me. Due to lung issues I couldn take mtx. so put on leflunomide together with other bits but hasn t worked so now being put forward for anti tnf ( infliximab ). It can be a slow process but we all get there in the end. Best wishes Julia
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/25/2010 Posts: 1,289 Location: Buckinghamshire
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hi Jon,
welcome to the Forum ... i'm recently diagnosed too ( in June )
still struggling to get my pain under control though, my Methotrexate has just been upped this week from 15mg to 20mg, i've not been given any other drug at this stage apart from the Folic Acid of course.
glad you are finding the Forum helpful i know i have and read it for a week before chipping in.
good luck and look forward to hearing how you are doing.
Suzanne
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Rank: Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/2/2010 Posts: 10 Location: Norfolk
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Hi Jon! like you, my RA started with a cold just after Christmas whcih my GP says probably 'turned on RA'. Wouldt it be nice if something else could turn this most unwelcome parasite off again  . This forum is excellent for getting support and info from other RA- ites. Keep looking . Jenny
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 714
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Hi Jon Welcome to the RA forum but sorry you have the dreaded RA. It sounds as if your GP is really on the ball and managed to get you sorted quickly. Hopefully you will also have a good Rheumy team who will see you through the next few months. My name is Jackie, I am 47 and was diagnosed with RA 18 months ago. I also started with RA after shingles and a really bad case of the flu Christmas 2008. I am still waiting to eat that Christmas dinner I missed . This forum has been very supportive to me over the last few months and I have learnt so much about RA and how to cope. It is also a wonderful place for a good laugh (and moan if needs be). Keep posting. Regards Jackie
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,689 Location: Durham
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Hello Jon, and welcome to the NRAS forum, though sorry that you have RA. I hope the meds you are on will kick in soon for you, and keep things under control for you. I`m Kathleen, diagnosed Jan 2006, live up North in Durham, and currently taking Humira, which is doing a good job for me at the moment. Take care, Kathleen
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/8/2009 Posts: 230 Location: Leicester
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Hi Jon *waves* Welcome to the forum... although sorry for the reason thats brought you here. I'm Helly, 35yrs old and from Leicestershire. I was born with juvenile idiopathic arthritis that wasn't diagnosed until just before my 3rd birthday. Managed to get arthritis into remission when I was 12 thanks to methotrexate and steroids. It came out of remission again last September but I've managed to kick its butt back into touch... fingers crossed it stays there! Looking forward to 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: Newbie
Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/7/2010
Posts: 2
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Thanks for the very warm welcome. Cheers Jon
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/29/2010 Posts: 264
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Hi Jon, Just to add a late welcome and hope things soon improve for you. Best wishes Sheila
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 11/28/2009 Posts: 238 Location: North London
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Hi Jon, I hope it all goes well with the new treatments, are you managing to keep your lifestyle how you like it OK? Best, Franky
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 561
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Hi Jon welcome im Sophie, sorry you have RA but you will be glad that you found this site as its so helpful
Sophie x
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/26/2010
Posts: 30
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Hi Jon, I too am a relativley newbie and this forum I have found to be so helpful and its so good to have other people with RA to talk to. Dont be afraid to let off steam on here as everyone is so caring and will try to help you through any problems you have. Lastly Jon dont forget the helpline if needed I have found it to be really useful.
Hope all goes well for you
Best Wishes
Dawn :)
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/8/2010 Posts: 914
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Hi Jon, Hello from me too, I am Lorna, I was diagnosed almost 3 years ago. I was very ill then but after being on the triple therapy I have returned to my usual self. Although I have to to watch not to do too much. Pacing yourself is the term or I lose the next couple of days exhausted. Be positive and believe the drugs will help you, I really do believe that makes all the difference. Ask away anything as everyone is so helpful. Glad the steroid injections worked for you, They made a huge difference for me too at the time I needed them. Keep posting and take care. Lorna
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