Hello Dorothy


Welcome from me - sorry you have RA but welcome to the forum. You will find this site
very useful and informative.

I am Rose 56 from Somerset. I was diagnosed nearly 2 yrs ago and still not on the correct
drugs. mtx, sulph and leflun all failed and I am waiting for Specialist appointment to
get me a appointment to see whats next. (she just come back after 1 month off)

Good luck and keep posting

Rose

Hi Dorothy

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. Heyho!

I hope you continue to progress well on Methotrexate; it has been the gold standard drug in the treatment of RA for many years. It has been great for me for the past 10 years and only recently started to cause problems. Fingers crossed it is a huge help for you.

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 better Dorothy, do keep posting!

Lyn x

Hi Dorothy,

I'm Lorna, I am married to ken and we have 3 grown up daughters the youngest in 5th year high school. I have had RA for nearly 3 years, I was very ill in the beginning but having been on the triple therapy I am much better now. Sorry to hear you have RA and joined the club no one wants to join. Having said that, now you have, we are all in the same boat and can offer a wealth of experience. You will find your way around the computer soon enough, I've made a pact with myself, I am going to learn more about it to and do lots more on it. Easier said than done ha ha. Hope you find MTX a great help and look forward to your postings. Take care Lorna x

Hi Dorothy, and a very warm welcome to the forum, though sorry of course that you have RA.

I hope the MTX is working for you, and I`m sure you`ll soon get the hang of the computer the more you use it.

I`m Kathleen, live in Durham, diagnosed almost five years ago now, and currently on humira, plus various painkillers etc.

Take care,

Kathleen x

Hi Dorothy,

Chin up we have all been there, it comes with the RA, but it does get better. You have to believe that, once the drugs settle you will see a big difference. There was a time I couldn't even hold a brush or a cup or for that matter I was unable to do very much at all. But hey ho I am really good now, I never stopped believing the drugs would help me. Yes I hate taking the MTX still, but I know I would be on queer street if I didn't take it. Try to cut down on red meat if you eat it as that can put up your inflammation markers. Try to think positive I know it's hard but you will get there. Lorna x

Hello Dorothy

The fatigue is one of the more distressing things about RA. Once you become really tired, weary, lethargic it is very hard to lift the spirits and then you become downhearted and despondent and life becomes a vicious circle centred around the RA. Things will improve when the 'best' drug regime is found for you. In the meantime don't hold back on the painkillers, as tempting as it might be. If it is necessary to take the full daily dosage to keep the pain at bay then do so ... unfortunately no medals in this game for bravery! Could your GP perhaps prescribe stronger pain relief to help you until your RA meds are reviewed in clinic? Constant pain also draws on your resources making you feel tired. I wonder whether you have been checked for possible anaemia? This goes hand in hand with RA and combined with other factors can add to the fatigue. I assume (although experience tells me that I shouldn't!) that you are on regular blood tests and would expect that haemaglobin levels have been checked?

Stick with the computer, it comes in very handy at times and is a great way to keep in touch. You will soon get the hang of it! Do keep posting

Lyn x

Hi Dorothy, welcome to the forum, its a great place for when you are down, up or have something to share. Its horrible being in pain al the time and I know it really can get you down, but I'm sure they will find the right meds for you so that things improve, its the waiting time for everything to work that is a bit of a downer. I also find hoovering difficult and usually leave it till the evenings, or don't do it ! its a shame we can't train cats to lick the carpet clean!
With all best wishes that things improve.
Sheila

Hi Dorothy, sorry to but in, but Helly just where do you get these animations, I can't stop laughing at the welcome one you've just posted, totally brilliant.
Thanks
Sheila

Hi Dorothy, big welcome from me too! Im Heather 47 married to Kev with 2 children Jack 19 and Katie 16, not really children, but will always be tome I suppose! Diagnosed a year ago and am on mx 25 mg hydroxy naproxen and leflunomide. This really seems to be working for me but it has been a bit of a fraught "journey" to get there and a huge RA learning curve! Once you come to terms with having the dreaded "arthur" and start to learn about it all and how to pace/adjust your life, things do get better. This site is wonderful and dont ever ever feel guilty about having a moan! There is always someone here tolisten/advise!

lots of love
Heather xxxx