Hello Everyone,
This is the first time I’ve ever done this, so am a little nervous!

I’m Val and I’m 57, married with two children, two gorgeous granddaughters and a grandson due later on this year, so something to look forward to.

I was diagnosed in July of last year after a long struggle to get any kind of help. Shouldn’t have been the shock it was, as my father has had RA for nearly 30 years, his father and his sister also. To have found the NRAS and that there is someone to talk to and be understood is wonderful.

I have also just been diagnosed with PMS, and have various other medical problems i.e. enlarged left ventricle, left ventricular hypertophy and now been diagnosed with microvascular angina as well as being asthmatic.

I take Hydroxy, I refused MTX as my Dad had terrible problems when he took it, so have been very wary about all and any meds. Have refused to take amytriptaline as it made me feel ‘ill’! Rheumatologist has prescribed Pregabalin now for the PMS, but as I said I am very wary of any meds and would appreciate any help that anyone can offer with regard to side effects etc.

Sorry to have banged on about things. Just venting steam!

ValX

Hi Val

Firstly. Don't be nervous. Joining the forum is the best thing you could have done. We all need someone who understands what we are going through and sometimes it is better to talk to someone who isn't family or a close friend as advice can be more objective. I am so sorry that you have so many problems to deal with. It is terrible for you but you really will need to take some form of medication for the RA as you can't cope without any. Do you have a good rheumatology department and have you seen a specialist nurse to discuss your worries? They are there to help you get through this. The meds stop any further damage to your joints so it is imperative that you start them as soon as possible.

Please make an appointment with the specialist nurse as soon as you can. Let me know how you get on.

Keep posting

Sheila x

Hi Val
Welcome to the forum, there's lots of nice people on here and lots of good advice.

I'm Anne, I am 49 and was diagnosed November 2009. I am now on Humira, having failed on MTX and Leflunomide! The Humira is an anti-tnf, but seems to be working really well.

I take amytriptyline at night for nerve pain, but I only need 5 mg or 10 mg at most. Otherwise it knocks me out completely. May be you are very sensitive to it, like I am so you could try just 5 mg (it means biting the tablet in half, and throwing away the other half!!)

I have oramorph, for when the pain is really bad, but haven't needed it for a long while now.

Hope you get sorted out soon.

Anne x

hi Val,

welcome to the Forum .. no need to feel nervous we are a friendly bunch and there is always someone who will help you.

i'm 58 marrried with a 29 year old Daughter.

currently taking Methotrexate and Hydroxy but both have failed so waiting to start on Humira an Anti TNF.

sorry to hear you have so much to deal with, to be honest i haven't really come to terms with RA and was diagnosed a year ago. and there is no one more scared than me of starting on a new drug. i managed to lose over half a stone in a week with the stress of it all last year and found the NRAS Helpline a wonderful support in helping with my Methotrexate fears.

keep posting,

Suzanne x

Hi Val,

Welcome to the forum, it's the place to be with RA, we have all been where you are now and own that wonderful tea shirt.
It is hard to get your head around things but you can and will very soon. Just learn to pace yourself and you will manage a bit better, easier said than done; I love the garden and getting me to stop is a feat in itself. I came in the other day hardly able to stand, stupid as I was to keep going for so long but I paid for that one, It cost me 2 days to recover.

I am Lorna, I am married and have 3 daughters I am 51 and have had RA for 3.5 years. I was very ill at the start but it was picked up within 5 weeks due to the severity of it. I started on the triple therapy and I do keep well all things considered now. I am on MTX and Hydrox was on Sulph too but I no longer need this one. It is a thought to start these drugs but without them we would all be on queer street ( as the saying goes)

You should consider the MTX as it is the gold standard for RA treatment. You said your dad had problems but there is a 50/50 chance you wont. You should make them aware and approach it slowly, blood tests provide the monitoring you will need, and it is easily stopped if there is a problem. Apart from a rash at the start, I had to stop and then re start these drugs I have had nothing since.

Glad you have found us, ask away there is always someone there to answer your questions.

Take care and keep positive.

Lorna

Hi Val

Welcome to the forum from me too. My name is Shirley, almost 50, married with 3 grown up children and 3 grandchildren. I was diagnosed just over 2 years ago, although i've had problems for much much longer.

There is really no nead to be nervous as we are all in the same boat here and provide support and advise for each other. You can always 'talk' on here when family and friends don't understand what you are going through as one of us would more or likely have had the same problem.

As for the drugs, the others are right when they say that the drugs help to halt the damage to the joints that RA can cause. None of us want to take the drugs but when you get the right combination for you then you will feel the benefits.

Also you have to pace yourself and stop to rest when your body tells you to. Conserve energy for the essential things that you need to do and the rest can wait until another day.

Looking forward to getting to know you.

Keep smiling, although it's hard at times.

Love Shirley x

Hi Val,

Welcome to the forum! I was so glad when I found it, as it proved to be a constant help and support to me - there is always someone who can empathise with how you feel.

I`m Kathleen, married to Nick, and I`m 60. We have two adult sons and two gorgeous grandsons.

I was diagnosed over 5 years ago now, and currently take humira.

Do keep posting,

Kathleen C x

Hi Val

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 18, and Louis 16. All four in various stages of education! We live in Thornton Cleveleys in north west Lancashire. I was diagnosed with RA 23 years ago and have since run the gamut of medication (although more options are popping up now and again thankfully!) and had lots of surgical procedures along the way. Currently on Enbrel, Leflunomide, Prednisolone and Naproxen, and a wagon load of pain killers! But heyho...

RA can be destructive if not treated with appropriate disease modifying medication. Whilst I understand your reluctance I have suffered a good deal of joint damage due to the unavailability of suitable treatments when I was first diagnosed. There are now many drugs available and it would be wise to take advantage of these, especially in the light of your other problems. Why suffer unnecessarily? Good luck in your search for a suitable treatment.

Do keep posting

Lyn x

Hello again,

Thank you all so much for your lovely welcome and much needed encouragement and advice. Will keep posting!

ValX