Hi Sheila

Glad you have posted on here. I have one young man still at home and a very supportive husband. I totally understand not wanted to moan to your friends - I have been the same. This forum has been brilliant for gathering information and support. I only tell one friend how things are really going - with the rest I attempt to 'act normally'!! Most people I find don't really understand RA. The beauty of here is everyone understands and there is usually someone who can really help.
I am sadly still off work sick... which has it's own frustrations, but hopefully one day I will get back to something.

My next challenge is sorting out my daughter's treatment. I have to go to Oxford on Weds, to go to her appointment - she's at uni still - so don't know how we do a follow up appt when she finishes in May!!!! I guess I will soon find out. She doesn't even know where she'll be next September! Not too good for continuity of care!

Anne

Hi Sheila

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! Glad you have found us and NRAS!

I'm Lyn, married to Mike, we have four children (well I call them children but perhaps it's time to stop!), 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 lots of surgical procedures along the way. Currently on Enbrel, Leflunomide, Prednisolone and Naproxen, and a wagon load of pain killers! Struggling at the moment after knee surgery last summer, a major flare in Cyprus of all places, two lots of knee aspirations and joint injections in 7 weeks, a depo injection that didn't work and basically RA that has not been controlled for the last 12 months! But heyho... no-one said life with RA would be easy and all the lovely friends I have made make it very worthwhile (mostly!)

Looking forward to getting to know you,

Lyn x

hi Sheila,

welcome aboard.

we all understand how you feel.

i'm 57 currently on Methotrexate and Hydroxy but have failed on both, so currently in the process of going onto Anti-TNF Humira.

my Hubby is very supportive as well, and my Daughter has long flown the nest.

i really don't bother trying to explain about RA now other than to close friends and family.

do keep posting,

Suzanne x

Hi dorat

Thank you for your welcome. I look forward to getting to know people in the future and exchanging experiences and treatments.

Regards

Sheila G x

Welcome Sheila

Welcome to the RA forum but sorry to hear that you have RA. You will find this forum
great for friends, queries and general moans and groans. We soo understand each
other which others cannot possibly understand.

I am Rose age 56 from Somerset. Happily married to Mike and have to 2 children
30 and 28. My Son (30 yr old) lives at home with us. I was diagnosed late 2008
been on mtx, hydrox,sulph and leflun all failed so starting very soon TNF / humira.
So fingers cross all will be fine

Enjoy posting

Rose

Hello Sheila,

Welcome to the forum but sorry you had to join. I'm Sara, 45 diagnosed last November and they say everything's under control now with the MTX but still frustrated with pain, fatigue and digits just deciding one day they won't work properly, shoulders have been particularly rebellious the last couple of weeks. I think you have to have some faith in the doctors, they've seen a lot of cases, but also you need to be armed with enough information to challenge them if you think you're not getting what you need. Its also true that this disease affects us all in different ways and we all react differently to the drugs but I think things get under some sort of control for most of us at some point or another.

Friends and family react differently too. Its so difficult for them when they see you looking 'normal' and they really can't understand what you're going through however supportive they want to be. I dread the question 'how are you?' nowadays and usually say something non-commital like up and down and then quickly change the subject. You soon find out who your real friends are. But this forum is THE best place for understanding and advice, you are not alone!

Sara
x

Hi Sheila

I'm Anne 51 years old married with two boys 19 and 20 years old.

I was diagnosed last May and found this site almost immediately, don't know what I would have done without it in the early days, a wealth of information and common sense from people who know exactly what you are going through, they have been there, tried it, and got the T shirt to prove it.

Welcome.

Anne x

Hi Lorna

Thanks for reply. I think all my problems at the moment are because I have overdone it. Had a hectic weekend (one before last) out very early and back late. A lot of walking because I felt so well. Boy have I paid for it since.

Sheila G x

HI sHEILA

My name is Vicky and am a newbie member too

x

hey can anyone please tell me how i know if anybody posts replies to my posts??