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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/2/2011
Posts: 31
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I live in London and first got ill about 18 months ago after suffering a few aches and pains and a very bad shoulder, I suddenly couldn't walk very well one day. I thought I had flu and went to bed and when I got up my legs were completely stiff and wouldn't move. The pain in my knees and shoulder became so excruitiating that I eventually spent 10 days in hospital whilst they got me back into some kind of shape. I currently have problems with my feet, knees, wrists, fingers and shoulders. Can't walk that well or for very long. Lots of things I used to do are out of the question these days.
Started on Cimzia this week, which I am finding daunting - the unknown and the injections. I trained as a nurse so you would think it is easier but, believe me, it isn't!
Good to meet you all.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/27/2010 Posts: 136 Location: Stockton on Tees, Cleveland
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Hi Sally,
Good to meet you. My name is Louise, I was diagnosed two years ago and have had a pretty rough ride of it. I am on Enbrel and a cocktail of other drugs and so have to self inject weekly. It always sounds worse than it is and you will get used to it. You will get loads of support from this forum, so you should make good use of it!!!!At least everyone hear knows what you are going through. I too have very painful feet, ankles, knees and hips and have been off work for nearly 3 months. I am hoping for a phased return to work.
All the best.
Louise
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,157 Location: Huddersfield
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Hi Sally,
Welcome to the forum, but sorry you have RA!
I am 61 and have had RA for 10 years. I also trained and worked as a nurse but it didn't make injecting Humira any easier, although I am used to it now.
Hope the cimzia works well for you.
Looking forward to getting to know you.
Doreen xx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 11/20/2010 Posts: 244 Location: Cornwall
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Hi Sally,
Welcome, I'm Sara 45, diagnosed in November and still trying to get to grips with this roller coaster of RA. This forum is the bees knees and everyone will help out when thay can or just be a good old shoulder to cry on. I'm a bit of a needle phobe so picked the wrong disease then! So I don't envy you the self injections I'm not sure I could do it because I suppose you'd have to look at what you're doing! I've been on the MTX for 3 months now so the best news I had this week was going down to monthly blood tests rather than fortnightly, yippee! The fact that its working to slow down the disease was almost secondary! The nurses at the surgery dread seeing me because I'm such a big baby but even I've got better at coping with it so hope that it does for you too.
Good luck
Sara
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,689 Location: Durham
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Hi Sally, and welcome to the forum - lots of friendly advice & info on here for you to tap into. I hope the cimzia works for you - I currently take humira, injecting myself with the epi-pen. I was diagnosed in Jan 2006, on the day of my first grandson`s first birthday! I`m Kathleen, live in Durham with husband Nick. We have two sons & two grandsons. Take care, Kathleen x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/25/2010 Posts: 1,289 Location: Buckinghamshire
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hi Sally,
welcome to the Forum,
you will find so much support and advice here.
my next step will be Anti-TNF and Cimzia was mentioned ... but i'm in the process of going onto it now, have one more appointment with my Rheumy Nurse later this month, i have already met the criteria for Anti-TNF having failed on Methotrexate and Hydroxy.
i felt the same as you daunted when explained about the injecting part !!
i will read your progress with interest,
good luck
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 Sally 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 23, Ian and Jake 17, and Louis 16. All four in various stages of education! We live in Thornton Cleveleys in north west Lancashire. I was diagnosed with sero-negative RA nearly 23 years ago and have since run the gamut of medication and had several surgical procedures along the way. Currently on Enbrel, Leflunomide, Prednisolone and Naproxen, Amitriptyline and a jolly assortment of pain killers! Struggling somewhat at the moment after knee surgery last summer, two lots of knee aspirations and joint injections in 7 weeks and a further referral to Orthopaedics. But heyho... You will soon get used to injecting and after a few goes it really isn't all that bad! I hope the Cimzia is the drug for you and you make good progress on it. Try not to feel daunted, although it is a fairly new drug, your consultant must feel that this is the drug of choice for you. You may find that once the disease is well controlled you will once again be able to do the range of things you used to do. Be positive, state of mind can make a big difference! Keep posting  Lyn x
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/2/2011
Posts: 31
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Thanks for the warm welcome! It's great to meet you and looking forward to getting to know everyone better.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/20/2010 Posts: 1,749 Location: Somerset
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Hello Sally
A big welcome from me. You will find this forum essentail at times when
you need a good old moan or just gen advice. We are all going or been
through the same journey as you
I am Rose nearly 57 from Somerset/ I was diagnosed over 2 years ago
been on various failed DMARDS and just about to start TNF - Humira.
I understand your fear of the injections, my inject delivered yest and
it makes you think even harder what may or may not happen
Hope cimzia works well for you and that it really helps you
Rose
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/20/2010 Posts: 1,749 Location: Somerset
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Hello Sally
A big welcome from me. You will find this forum essentail at times when
you need a good old moan or just gen advice. We are all going or been
through the same journey as you
I am Rose nearly 57 from Somerset/ I was diagnosed over 2 years ago
been on various failed DMARDS and just about to start TNF - Humira.
I understand your fear of the injections, my inject delivered yest and
it makes you think even harder what may or may not happen
Hope cimzia works well for you and that it really helps you
Rose
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 10/21/2010 Posts: 69 Location: North Devon
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Hello Sally Welcome to the forum. You will find lots of help and advice here. I found it invaluable when I was diagnosed in October 2010. I have been on Methotrexate for six and just starting to feel some benefit in the joints. But like others have said it takes some getting used to., One minute you're up then bump back down again. I am sure I have a long way to go. I know I have not suffered half as bad as some, so I feel a proper baby and twit sometimes moaning. But it does help and everyone is so great about it. Look forward to hearing your progress Take Care Julie x Good advice is best followed by the art of listening
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 10/21/2010 Posts: 69 Location: North Devon
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Hello Sally Welcome to the forum. You will find lots of help and advice here. I found it invaluable when I was diagnosed in October 2010. I have been on Methotrexate for six and just starting to feel some benefit in the joints. But like others have said it takes some getting used to., One minute you're up then bump back down again. I am sure I have a long way to go. I know I have not suffered half as bad as some, so I feel a proper baby and twit sometimes moaning. But it does help and everyone is so great about it. Look forward to hearing your progress Take Care Julie x Good advice is best followed by the art of listening
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Rank: Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/4/2011 Posts: 14 Location: London
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Hi Sally, Im Fran, currently 21, diagnosed at 14. On methotrexate amoung various other drugs! Injections can be daunting I know. The only thing I can compare it to is that before I got RA I could not swallow tablets. It became a real saga of standing over the sink, heaving, spitting them out etc. I now take minimum of three a day (on a sunday 13!) with abolsute ease. It is really about adjusting, and I promise it will get to the poitn where it is ok again. I'm a massive baby - have to wear numbing cream to my monthly blood tests due to my fear of pain! Welcome x Francesca x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/8/2010 Posts: 914
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Hi Sally, Welcome to the forum, it a lovely place where you can off load how you feel and everyone will totally understand, we have all been there. I am Lorna, I have had RA for just over 3 years, like you it came on very fast and I was very ill in the beginning. I have been on the triple therapy and I keep really well now, as long as I do not over do things. You have to believe you wont always feel as bad as you do now, it does get easier once the RA is under control. Thinking about you, Take care Lorna x
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/19/2010
Posts: 384
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Hi Sally,
Welcome to the site, a great place to share and gain information.
I'm Anne 50 years old and diagnosed last May and really don't know how I would have coped if I hadn't found this site.
Look forward to your posts.
Anne x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/5/2010 Posts: 364 Location: mid glamorgan
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Hi Sally
Welcome to the site.. Im Ceri diagnosed in 2009 and im on methotrexate injections and wailting to start anti tnf soon, good luck with the cimzia and really hope you feel a lot better with it as it sounds like your going through a bad time at the mo... Look forward to getting to know you xx
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/2/2011
Posts: 31
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Thanks everyone, no doubt I will get to know you all a bit better in time. Good to know there are lots of people out there in the same boat as me!
I have up days and down days. Learning to take one day at a time and to have a Plan B on hand.
xx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 838 Location: Nottinghamshire
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Welcome Sally
I was diagnosed just under three years ago and have found this forum so helpful. Someone always knows the answer to a question and give good advice. They've all been there and got the T Shirt so understand.
I'm married with two girls, both left home now. One lives nearby and the other one (along with my only grandchildren) live in Gibraltar. But we do go over and see her alot so it isn't too bad.
Keep posting.
Love Paula
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,110 Location: London
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Hi Sally, I am Barbara, diagnosed in July 2009, on mtx and hydroxy. i live in London too, lots of friendly advice here. Everyone is so supportive, I hope you find the cimzia works for you. Take care x BARBARA
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/2/2011
Posts: 31
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