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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Registered
Joined: 10/3/2010
Posts: 4
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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
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/4/2010
Posts: 576
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Hi Sharon - what a lot to take in and deal with all at once. No wonder you are feeling weepy. I really hope your new meds make a difference and you can start to get back on your feet (literally!) again. Are you getting good support from the diabetic nurse? You could also do with an Occupatinal Therapist to help you work out the easiest method for injections. Your rheumy team will be able to arrange this for you if you haven't already done this.
My daughter (17)has a condition very similar to Behcets and was on CellCept from age 12 till just last year. She had a gradual weaning off and thankfully no return of symptoms since. The CellCept was very effective in managing her condition.
It's good that you found us, but sorry you had to! I'm Ailsa - diagnosed with Sjogrens Syndrome last year and RA in Feb. I'm a single mum of 5 (4 still at home) and work and care for my parents in their 80s, so life is busy. Post often - sometimes the only people who 'get' what we are feeling are those who are also going through it. Look forward to getting tp know you XX Ailsa
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,157 Location: Huddersfield
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Hi Sharon,
Welcome to the forum ,you will get lots of support and advice on here.
Poor you, if it's not bad enough having one disease, you now have RA as well, and your little boy has just been diagnosed with diabetes! It's no wonder you are feeling so down.
I'm glad you have found a drug that you can tolerate and hope it works well for you. With all that on your plate you need to be well.
I'm 60, have had RA for 9 years and I am now taking mtx and humira. I have one daughter who is 21.
Keep posting Sharon and let us know how you are coping.
Looking forward to getting to know you.
Love, Doreen xx
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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Registered
Joined: 10/3/2010
Posts: 4
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Thanks for your lovely messages Ailsa and Doreen
Its so good to find support here, no one really knows how you feel unless they are going through it themselves. While I was in the OT and Physio came to see me so they are going to assess the house as I've been struggling the past few months getting around and now the wrist is inflammed I'm finding it really hard. The hospital I was in were so good and it was the best care I have ever got in all the years I have been sick.
I also had a Social Worker that called who offered to get me counselling and some complimentary therapy which I am over the moon about I felt like hugging her. I just hope the crying passes soon and I know its probably normal to feel like this but its so hard!
Thank you again
Sharon x
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,157 Location: Huddersfield
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It is normal Sharon to feel like that, but depression also goes hand in hand with RA so if you feel like you need some extra help, don't hesitate to explain to your GP how low you are feeling.
Lots of people with RA take antidepressants, although the counselling and complimentary therapy you have been offered should go a long way towards helping you.
Hope things start improving for you soon.
Love, Doreen xx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/25/2010 Posts: 1,289 Location: Buckinghamshire
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hi Sharon,
i know i posted to you under the Diagnosed 2 weeks ago Thread,
but just wanted to welcome you as a Newbie here.
i've now had time to Google Behcets and my goodness me ... no wonder you are so tearful with now having the added RA !!
also it's good that you had great care in Hospital ... i know how invaluable my RA Team and Rheumy Nurse is right now, i can phone her as and when and they have a weekly Flare Clinic which is re-assuring, having spoken to NRAS as i said at the meeting i know the support really does vary from place to place.
hope you are getting all the support you need for your Son too.
you'll get so many more replies soon,
keep going and try and think you will get this dreaded RA controlled along with your Son.
Suzanne x
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 2,127
Location: Thornton Cleveleys
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Hi Sharon 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! Currently limping about the place with a knee at least twice the size it should be due to a recent flare! Heyho... such fun!! I am so sorry to hear of all your recent problems ... doesn't life have a habit of throwing a bucket load at us? I think you have done so well cope and joining NRAS has been a big step in securing the emotional support that you need so much at the moment. We have all been there (not quite the same place though!) and know what it's like. Being able to visit the forum and know others will support you however you feel is wonderful. Azathioprine has been around for some time and is well tried and tested. I hope it gives you some welcome relief from your present symptoms. It is quite normal to feel the way you do so don't give yourself a hard time over it. Perhaps you would be re-assured by a call to NRAS who could put you in touch with a telephone volunteer who you could talk things through with you. Sometimes it is good to get things off your chest and knowing you can speak with someone who has first hand experience of how you feel can be just what you need. Do keep posting Sharon. look forward to getting to know you better, Lyn x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/8/2010 Posts: 914
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Hi Sharon, Sorry to hear you have been hit with so many problems at the moment. Welcome to the forum, we are a friendly crowd full of answers and helpful solutions. But now the only way is up.... Once you get established on the meds you will start to go up. I am Lorna, I have I have been married to my husband Ken for 28 years and we have 3 lovely daughters the youngest being 16 and at school. I have had RA for 3 years, at the start I was very ill ended up completely bed ridden. I was started on the triple therapy right away and now I am so much better, so things do turn around. I do feel for you, when it's ourselves we can cope but something wrong with our children is another story. No wonder you are upset, it's been a double whammy for you all at once. Have you been given a steroid injection, this may be a help to you until the meds kick in. How is your little boy coping, it must be so frightening for him too. You are lucky you have an older son too, he will be a great help to you. Do remember you will pick up a bit soon. The meds don't half make a difference once they are established. Do keep posting and ask away all you want, we all help one another, Thinking about you and sending a big hug for you all, you are not on your own now. Lorna xx 
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,582 Location: Oxfordshire
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Dear Sharon,
I am so very sorry to hear of all the stress you are coping with and the constant worry for your little boy.
Please know the RA will settle once a medication is found which suits you- I, too, took Azithroprine for many years as a teen and it helped so much. It was renowned as a no1 med for RA until MTX came along!
Yes RA can be triggered by trauma so this is likely.
There are a few natural remedies you could try just to keep you calm like the Bach rescue remedy which you spray/drop in your mouth, or rose petals to bathe in etc.
Love,
Amanda
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/18/2010 Posts: 1,098 Location: farningham kent
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Hello Sharon
I am sorry a little late replying to your post. Welcome to the forum, and really sorry to hear that you are going through so much at the moment such a difficult time for you. I have little to add to the posts as you know you are never alone with the RA, thinking of you.
Love Julia x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,110 Location: London
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Sharon, sorry I'm a bit late with the welcome!!! I hope you find the drug helps you, its so hard to get the meds right. The added stress of your 5 year old having type 1 doesnt help (my husband in type 2 but insulin dependant) its always scary for you and your child when something like this is diagnosed. We're all here for you!!!! BARBARA
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Rank: Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/17/2010
Posts: 22
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Hi Sharon,I am even later with my welcome but i read your post and my heart just went out to you. I,m pretty new to the site too but just wanted to say hi. Be strong.xx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,689 Location: Durham
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Hi Sharon, Sorry I`m so late coming in on this thread, been out of sorts myself. You have a lot to cope with, for yourself and your little boy. It is so normal to feel low, and a very difficult time waiting for drugs to begin to work, but you will get there in the end. Take care, Kathleen x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/19/2010 Posts: 33
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Hi Sharon, so sorry to hear about you and your family problems, like you I think stress caused my RA too, I have learned that its ok to cry and to get frustrated and tell anyone who will listen the problems we face on a daily basis.
I am a newbie too and have only posted one message then I got sick, but I am looking forward to keeping in touch with every one here, so welcome, and my shoulder is always here if you need it..... mary x
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/21/2009
Posts: 106
Location: cornwall
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HI sharon
like Kathleen late coming to this thread
you have a lot to cope with!!! my heart goes out to you!!!
welcome to the forum--keep posting there are lots of friends always willing to help
i'm Carol married to Ian for 29years and we have 2 children a son of 23 and daughter 27-i was diagnosed with sjogrens 21/2 years ago now have RA and fibromyalgia
will start MTX in a couple of weeks time.
take care love caz xx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/20/2010 Posts: 1,749 Location: Somerset
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Welcome Sharon
Sorry I am so late in welcoming you. I have had laptop trouble and to be honest it is
still not good sounds expensive.
Sorry you have RA but welcome to this site you will find it great for all sorts of advice.
I feel for you for the worry about your son and also having to deal with new RA.
Please ask for all sorts of advice and keep posting
I am Rose from Somerset aged 56 diagnosed 2 yrs ago but medication on 3 DMARD
failed - awaiting TNFs appointment
Rose
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 2,237 Location: nr Southampton
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hi
i am jenni, will be 35 in the new year and have 3 children who are 15, 13 and 2 (almost 3).
One of the things I also manage is diabetes- mine was steroid induced, there are a few diabetics on the forum here. I use insulin and metformin.
had RA a long time now, severe disease Im afraid but one thing I can say is that you are no longer alone with the disease now you are on here.
Jenni how to be a velvet bulldoser
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 312
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Hello Sharon and welcome to the forum. I have only just read your post and my heart goes out to you. I am Fiona, 53, with 3 grown up kids, 34,33 and 30. Also one Grandaughter aged 9. I hope that your R.A gets sorted out and your symptoms improve. Also, your little boy, I wish him well controlled for his Diabetes. Sending you gentle hugs, Best wishes, Fiona
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/22/2010
Posts: 51
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Hi So sorry to hear all the health problems in your household.Ask for a hand splint they really do help to give your wrist & hand support i myself have one for each hand.You must be very stressed re-your little son try not to cry in front of him as this will worry him a great deal.Stress certainly do"nt help the R/A.When you have an attack you must rest rest & more rest you will find it will get better far more quicker doing this.So stay positive try & smile you will start to cope then.Take it easy.Val-R
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