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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/7/2011
Posts: 4
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Hi, my name is Maureen and I live in Dover with my husband Colin. I was diagnosed with RA in March 2009 having been unwell for approx: 6 months, firstly with various colds and then waking up one day completely in pain, literally from head to foot, and found it almost impossible to get out of bed. My GP sent me to A&E in Canterbury and after two blood tests, taken over six weeks, I was finally diagnosed. To say that I was devastated is an understatement, it has taken me a long time to accept that my life has changed and, even now, there are days when I feel extremely angry or very low. I am trying to be positive but it is not easy. I am now off the steriods and now take Methotrexate, Folic Acid and Plaquenil and, at present, not feeling too bad. I went to my first meeting of our local support group in Canterbury in January and it was great being able to talk to others who have RA and know exactly how I feel.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 1,524 Location: W. Yorkshire
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Hello and welcome Maureen but sorry you have need to join the forum! The feelings you're describing are ones we've all either been through or are still going through, it's a heck of a bombshell. However I'm glad your meds seem to be helping and once things are balanced out (which unfortunately can take quite a long time for some) you can gradually reclaim your new life! YES I'VE CHANGED, PAIN DOES THAT TO PEOPLE.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/25/2010 Posts: 1,289 Location: Buckinghamshire
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hi Maureen,
welcome to the Forum.
i felt exactly the same as you when diagnosed last June ... and am just coming to terms that yes i have this awful disease. having had chest infection, a 24 hour sickness bug last week and now feel coldy again has also brought home to me how much my immune system is lowered.
i am on the same cocktail of Drugs as you but they haven't worked for me.
so i will be going onto Anti-TNF's with a month or two, which will be another hurdle for me.
i also went to a local NRAS Group last year and found it a support.
look forward to hearing more from you,
Suzanne x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/20/2010 Posts: 1,749 Location: Somerset
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Hello Heidi Welcome to this Forum but sorry that you have the dreaded RA. We all understand your thoughts and either have been there or still feeling the same as you. It def is a horrid thing and effects so many parts of our body and 'mind'. I am Rose from Somerset aged nearly 57 and diagnosed oct 2008, unfortunt for me not on a settled drug either. Have tried mtx, hydro, sulph, leflun and my humira was delivered last Wednesday so now waiting for nurse to show me how to self inject. Never feel alone there is always someone on here that knows exactly how you feel or answer any query. Keep posting Rose 
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/1/2010
Posts: 255
Location: hampshire
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Hi Maureen, I'm Sue (59) and a teacher. I was diagnosed in Oct 2009 . I started on hydroxy then mtx was added in Feb. Although I am on a very low dose of mtx - every time I try to increase it my white blood count drops - I am doing pretty well so consider my self lucky. Mind you it is still hard getting my head around the idea that I've got RA for life and I'd better just get on with it. I keep hoping things will return to normal and of course, they won't. Everyone here is a great help when you need advice or just feel like venting. Good luck. Sue
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 6/18/2010 Posts: 351 Location: Herne Bay Kent
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Hi Maureen
Welcome to the forum that nobody would choose to join!!
However it is great to communicate with others who know what you are going through.
I am another Sue, and live in Herne Bay, not too far away from you. I am 56 and have had R A for 4years and have just started on Enbrel as well as taking Methotrexate and Sulphasalazine.
Have been thinking about going to the Canterbury group but have not made it yet, perhaps we will meet up there sometime.
It is hard to come to terms with this condition and I think we all like to have a moan when we are feeling down and this is a great place to do it. You can also ask any questions and receive lots of good advice.
Best Wishes
Sue
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,157 Location: Huddersfield
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Hi Maureen,
Welcome to the forum, where we all know exactly what you are going through!
I am 61 and have had RA for 10 long years! Now on mtx and humira.
Looking forward to getting to know you.
Doreen xx
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/4/2010
Posts: 576
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Hi Maureen - good to meet you. I was also diagnosed last year, though think I am only now beginning to deal with how it makes me feel. I'm Ailsa, 51. I teach English and live in Warrington. I've just started Enbrel and am still on MTX. Look forward to hearing more from you xx Ailsa
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/19/2010
Posts: 384
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Hello Maureen,
Welcome to the forum, glad you have found us and joined. My name is Anne 50 years old from Kent and was diagnosed last May, still coming to terms with it. I am on 25mg MTX and 10mg FA and at present have more good days than bad, but who knows what tomorrow may bring.
This site will definately help put your mind at rest over many questions you may have, because someone has been there and can offer you advice.
Glad your not feeling to bad at present, long may it continue.
Anne x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,689 Location: Durham
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Hi Maureen, Welcome to the forum - lots of friendly ears here!! I can really empathise with your post - I recognise all those feelings you wrote about. I was diagnosed just over 5 years ago, and it takes a long time to come to terms with the changes in your life. We live at the opposite end of the country to you - in Durham. I`m currently taking humira, along with various painkillers, stomach protector etc. Do keep posting, Kathleen C 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 Maureen 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 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... be positive, stay positive! Do stick with your local group it will give you an opportunity to meet with others who share similar problems and will be a good support for you in the rough times. Glad you are okay at the moment, fingers crossed it lasts for you. Keep posting Maureen, it will be good to get to know you  Lyn x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 11/20/2010 Posts: 244 Location: Cornwall
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Welcome to the forum, I'm Sara 45 live in Cornwall diagnosed last November and on MTX which has worked but still more bad days than good. I'm overdoing it I know, but there's an economic imperative to keep my business going until I can sort out career number 3! Everybody on here is really great and knows exactly what you're going through, if they could prescribe something for emotional turmoil I'd take it! It's a time for change and adjustment which I'm afraid just takes a lot of hard work to get through but I'm hoping that my underlying positive and optimistic attitude (easy on good days, impossible on bad days) will help me get myself sorted out to adjust to a different life with me in control and not the RA. Keep posting, looking forward to getting to know you.
Sara
x
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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/7/2011
Posts: 4
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Thank you all for your welcome messages, it's good to know that there is so much support out there. I look forward to chatting to you in the future and hopefully picking up some useful tips and info on the way. Best wishes to you all.
Maureen
xx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 2,237 Location: nr Southampton
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Hi Maureen,
a late hello and welcome from me! I am Jenni, 35 yrs- married with 3 children who are 15, 13 and 3.
severe RA blah blah blah!
ANyway- you are never ever going to feel alone with the crappy RA again now you have joined. Most people do great on the medications you are on, if it doesnt quite work out that way, there are plenty of options out there.
Having something with no cure is really scarey, there is a loss there and so it might be appropriate for you to have some CBT through GP referral.
Have you seen an occupational therapist about joint conservation?
Jenni how to be a velvet bulldoser
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 838 Location: Nottinghamshire
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Hello Maureen
Welcome to the forum.
I was diagnosed May 08 and still find it difficult to accept things. When I talk or think about what I was like before I was diagnosed I call it 'my previous life'.
I was one of the lucky ones and things started to get better after about 8 weeks of taking the meds. Was pretty much OK for over a year and then started gently getting worse. I would get use to things, think 'I can cope with this' and then go down another notch and have to start again. Suppose that's the nature of the illness and I have to come to terms with it.
I still though class myself 'one of the lucky ones' even though I have been better than I am now, I know from what I read here that I could be much, much worse.
Everyone here is so friendly and always give advice and support when needed. If you put up a post, someone will be along quickly to answer it and give advice. We all know what you are going through at the moment and how you feel.
Keep posting.
Take Care
Paula x
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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/7/2011
Posts: 4
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Hi there
In answer to Jenni's question re: occupational therapy, I'm afraid the answer is no. Apart from seeing the Rheumatologist for the first year, I am now under the care of the Rheumatology nurse, who thankfully takes a lot more time to listen to my moans and groans and offers more in the way of support. It was 18 months before I was given X-rays on my hands, feet and chest (I have read that an X-ray should be taken at the beginning of treatment). The only other referral I have had is with a Physio as I have problems with my neck. It appears that treatment varies a great deal from area to area, which is very frustrating.
Maureen xx
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