Hi Everyone

I am a 35 year old mum of two sons (17 and 5) who has just been diagnosed with RA two weeks ago, I've been in the Rhuematolgy ward in Belfast for 2 weeks on Steroid Drips and trying to find a medication that agrees with me. I have finally tollerated Azathioprine so hopefully it works. I also have Behcets Disease and RA is a condition that develops with it, I have had the disease 15 years and never really been treated for it as its so rare and I think I was in denial.

Anyway.....my 5 year old son was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes 9 weeks ago and my foot swelled 3 days later and that was it.......I have been in agony for 9 weeks, going to casualty getting x-rays, on crutches and unable to drive. I've been told the stress of his diagnosis may have triggered it off, he is now insulin dependant for life. My RA has now spread to my wrist so its pretty difficult giving him 4 insulin injections a day!!

Well I dont want to go on but just hoping for a bit of support really, I feel really down and weepy and cant stop crying but I need to be strong for the kids.

Hope this forum helps

Sharon x

Hi Suzanne

Thanks for your message I think I will try the helpline as I really cant control the crying at the minute, its hard to explain to my 5 year old why I keep crying but I am sure it will pass soon when I get my head around it all.

The hospital were great and the OT and Physio were very supportive I just have to slow down as I really cant do what I done before.

Thanks again and I think I'll get alot out of this forum

Sharon x

Hi Sharon,

Its early days with your RA diagnosis it takes a long time to accept. It doesnt really seem real at the begining and it is traumatic so I wouldnt be surprised if this diagnosis has set off a flare. Thing to do know that you have been diagnosed is to get as much information to know how to deal with it. For example resting your foot elevating it slighly over some cushions (i am sure you cant do much else) using heat and cold to get the swelling down.

It is very natural to be down about it and there is a link between pain and depression (no surprse there). You just need time to adjust and get your head around it psycholigically as well as physically.

You are going through a difficult period now particularly your little boy getting diabeties. Its all probably all too much too soon. Its great that you have a supportive team, you will get lots of support and information on this website.

Your crying is a release to how you are feeling and perhaps you may consider finding a counsellor to help you talk through these difficulties. I have studied and go to counselling myself and it feels great just to go and talk thorugh your feelings without worrying about it.

I also make a concious effort of treating myself cos I feel I deserve it and have lots of things to look forward to which helps me be more positive. I have just come back from a weekend in Dublin and nobody knows I have RA... so dont feel like its the end, because it isnt.




Ps i am on hydroxychloriquine and steriods... I couldnt walk and had problems eating before I started my medication. Steriods kick in quickly but DMARDS take a while but once you get something that suits you - you will feel the difference.