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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/11/2010
Posts: 9
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HI my name is Keith and i have only been officially diagnosed for the last four weeks despite feeling unwell for quite a while. Looking at the forum , I seem to be in the early confusing stage of R.A and currently in the middle of a rapid and painful first flare up. I am 49 and feel very low at present. I work for the NHS who very conveniently suspended me one week after i told them i had R.A and asked for support, so am currently on "Gardening leave"..... shame i can hardly move otherwise would be able to enjoy it . I have started depo injections and have three appointments over the next two weeks to establish my medication . Hope it works.
Anyway, looking forward to getting to know you all and will be asking lots of questions over the next few months.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/25/2010 Posts: 1,289 Location: Buckinghamshire
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hi Keith,
welcome to the Forum.
i'm about 4 months diagnosed now and meds still not sorted ... but since joining the Forum i have come to realise it does take time for some.
i'm also feeling very down and weepy and tired at the moment but have to hope that i will get this under control.
it is such a shock and a lot to take in when first diagnosed and it definately a learning curve as you go along.
i had my second steroid injection last week to help me while the meds are still being sorted and hopefully kicking in but unfortunately it didn't work for me ... i phoned the Rheumy Nurse yesterday and she said this can happen.
i hope you get some relief from the pain soon and keep posting and reading the Forum you will always find a friendly " face " and support and i for one don't feel so alone now.
meant to say i'm 57 married 38 years with a 28 year old Daughter who's flown the nest and live in deepest darkest Buckinghamshire.
Suzanne
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/18/2010 Posts: 1,098 Location: farningham kent
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Hi Keith
A big welcome to the forum and pleased you have found us as you will get so much support and help in the months to come. It certainly is very hard in the early days and can understand how you feel, very promising you have three appts should get you on the right track very soon.
I am 54 and diagnosed about a year ago after a few months of wondering what was so wrong with me, I have been on dmards - leflunomide plus number of other bits but hasn t worked so now moving onto anti-tnfs that hopefully would sort me out !
Hope all goes well, keep us posted.
Julia
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/20/2010 Posts: 1,749 Location: Somerset
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Hello Keith
Welcome to the Forum but sorry that you have RA. You will lots of information and any query usually
someone has the answer for you. Enjoy posting.
Why would the NHS suspend you ? My name is Rose 56 and from Somerset. I have been off
work since end March but looking at going back within the month..... as Company money stopped
however they hope to be able me return on a graded return. However my meds still not sorted
failed on mtx, suph, and leflun so waiting to hear from Spec for another appointment. Taking Amitryp
celebrix and pain killers.
Good luck over the next few weeks
Rose
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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/11/2010
Posts: 9
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Hi Rose, i believe the suspension is because of a capacity to do my job role working with mental health clients on a one to one basis. There are major jon cuts at present and they dont want to have to employ a support worker for me . It will take time to sort out but already have a strong case against them if it turns out i need it. So much for the caring profession. Thanks for your support regards Keith.
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/20/2010 Posts: 1,749 Location: Somerset
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poor you, I hope things def work out for you soon
Rose
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 1,524 Location: W. Yorkshire
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Hi Keith! I really do feel for you only weeks into this weird and wonderful journey. It is very very common to feel low especially with everything which is going on with you workwise too. You've probably already realised that getting the right meds for YOU is a slow and annoying business. I would say that maybe not going into work right now is a good thing as you slowly learn about RA so maybe you could think of it in those terms? Hang on in there and ask as many questions as you need to. The first few weeks are always the worst and I hope the depo injections start to ease things for you. YES I'VE CHANGED, PAIN DOES THAT TO PEOPLE.
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 2,127
Location: Thornton Cleveleys
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Hi Keith 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 understand your concerns and hope that you will start to feel benefit from the injections very soon. As Julie has said it can be a slow process to find the combination of drug treatment that is right for you. Each of us is very different and what works well for one person may not work at all for another. Sometimes it can be a case of trying a number of different drugs until the most effective and least toxic one is found. Make sure that your GP or consultant has given you adequate pain relief as this will help you get va reasonable night's sleep, if nothing else! I too would think that working at the moment is perhaps not in your best interests. RA can quickly flare and the added emotional and physical stresses that work requires could actually make matters worse. Use the time to rest as much as possible (I know it seems wasteful!) and allow your body chance to benefit from the jabs. Look forward to getting to know you better Keith, do keep posting! Lyn x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/8/2010 Posts: 914
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Hi Keith, Welcome to the club no one wants to join. The forum is very good though, we have all been there and are there for one another. I'm Lorna married to Ken for 28 years and have 3 grown up daughters, the youngest in 5th year high school. I was 48 when I was diagnosed that was 3 years ago, it just crept up on me. I was very ill at the start, kept thinking it was gardening, but as I got steadily worse over a short space of time I realised it was more than gardening. Then my journey began, I was put on the triple therapy and now I am so much better. So hang in there you will get there too, it just takes a little time to get the meds right. I do know how you feel it is very difficult to start with, the fatigue, the tiredness, not being able to do much. It is a nightmare journey but it DOES get easier. Have you got a supportive family, it is difficult for them to see something wrong. Try to be positive it will get easier, thinking about you Lorna 
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/29/2010 Posts: 264
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Hi Keith, sorry to hear about the RA diagnosis, but you are in good company here, with a bit of luck the injections will give you some relief whilst the drugs kick in. I'm sure once things are under control you will feel better. Also really hope the work situation can be sorted quickly as stress is no good for RA.
I'm Sheila, had RA three years, won't bore you with all the meds I take other than to say if one drug doesn't work don't get downhearted there are lots of other options out there.
All best wishes
Sheila
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/8/2009 Posts: 230 Location: Leicester
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Hi Keith and welcome to the forum!
I'm Helly, 35yrs old and was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis just before my 3rd birthday. I've had one lot of remission thanks to a combo of steroids & methotrexate and now heading towards another remission with hydroxychloroquine.
Looking forward to getting to know you 
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: 9/9/2010
Posts: 77
Location: Hampshire
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Hi Keith Welcome to the Forum. I too have only recently been diagnosed and am waiting for the tablets to kick in. I am suffering from severe tiredness and also feeling very low. I am 45 and up until now have always been very active so this has come as somewhat of a shock to the system!!! Its really good to find a forum where people understand exactly how we feel. Take care of yourself Debs
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/19/2010
Posts: 384
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Hi Keith
I'm Anne 50 years old married with two teenage boys and a foster boy aged 8. I was diagnosed in May this year and started on 20mg MTX immmediately, within 7 weeks they had kicked in and I now get only the odd twinge, this site will definately help you it certainly did in the early weeks for me, some great people with extremely good advice.
Anne
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/13/2010 Posts: 786 Location: east anglia
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hi i am still a bit new myself, you will find this great site full of very helpfull humans of the understanding kind i have, also learn alot as well, im still getting put to rights on the meds i am on mtx 25mg and just 4days on hydroxy still letting that one take hold,im 53 widowed last year,son 27 plus girlfriend at home, daughter 25 moved out this year, has her own house by herself, great achievment,hope to see you in lots of areas on here,i get lost in transit alot but get there in the end 
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