Hi Sophie. You poor love. I am so sorry you have RA especially as you are so young. My name is Sheila I am 60 and I have been diagnosed for 9 years. I hope you have a good rheumatology team where you are. This is very important. You will find them very helpful. I have found mxt (methotrexate) has worked very well for me. Now, because I have been on it a long time I have to move on to something else but you will start to feel much better soon. I would say you need 6 weeks before you start to feel the benefit of it but of course it differs with each individual. You have made a great decision to come on the forum as we can all help you and give you advice on various things that will crop up with RA. Of course, we are not medical people and can only help on practical advice and share our experiences. Always check with your rheummy nurse about anything you are not sure about. This is a great place to share, ask questions, have a moan or just generally chat to someone who knows what you are going through. You will find that people, on the whole, don't understand RA so you need us to talk to and I hope you do. I want to wish you all the best with your degree. It would be a good idea to talk to your lecturers about your condition, there may be allowances they can make for you if your hands are too sore on some days. I have 2 sons in there 20s who have recently completed their degrees. If you need any help give me a shout I am sure they will be willing to help with advice. What is your degree? Please post again.

Love Sheila x

hi Sophie,

i am so sorry to hear you've been diagnosed at such a young age,

i think the first few months really hit hard ... there's so much to take in and to come to terms with.

as Sheila says i hope you have a good Rheumatology Department because they are worth their weight in gold. also that you have a contact number for your Rheumy Nurse, i find mine invaluable.

i would also suggest keeping a diary or notes in these early days of how you are feeling, because apart from the pain your emotions are all over the place ... this will be a good reference point for when you next see your Consultant.

yes the Methotrexate side affects can be scary ( i worked myself up into such a lather i lost over half a stone in a week with the stress of it all ) but hopefully you will build up gradually and not get any.

i was told it takes about 12 weeks to see if it's working for you ( sadly it hasn't for me a year on ) so i am due to start on a new drug shortly.

also perhaps you could show some RA literature to your Lecture's as well, as it really is an unknown condition for most, to be honest i didn't know much about it when i was diagnosed.

good luck with your Degree,

and do keep posting i certainly have learned so much from this Forum and don't feel so alone.

Suzanne x

Hi Sophie
Welcome from me.. Im Ceri 43 diagnosed 2 years ago. Awful that youve got this horrible thing at your age but youve done the right thing joining us..I hope the mtx kicks in soon and they get you on the right meds. Good luck and keep posting.
Love Ceri x

Hi Sophie,

I'm Tracy, 40 yrs old (and feeling it at the mo lol), was diagnosed feb last yr. The specialists say that the younger you are diagnosed the better, I hope that's true.

Welcome to the site, I joined this week and the lovely Ladies on here are so welcoming and warm, I feel very supported already. Be wary of the fatigue and listen to your body, get to know it.

I started on mxt last June and have no side effects what so ever, so good luck with not getting any. Frustration, fatigue and denial have been the hardest for me to deal with as well as the pain obviously. I started taking anti-depressants about 8 weeks ago after refusing them for as long as I could. Don't be ashamed of accepting all help Sophie.

Good luck chick, thinking of you, keep posting and good luck with your Degree. The new DDA will help you with Education and special arrangements, go and see your Uni welfare officer/Tutor.

Trace xx

Hi Sophie and welcome from me too. Sorry you have RA, I always feel sorry for you younger ones, but there is lots of good support and advice on here. I hope you feel better soon. Youve had loads of good advice here, so good luck

Hi Sophie

Sorry to hear that you have been diagnosed at such a young age.

My name is Louise, Im 36 & was diagnosed with RA just over two years ago.

Welcome to the forum you really will get a lot of support on here, nras is brilliant for support and advice, I've called them lots of times, they are willing to listen and help no matter how long you are on the phone for.

Hope you are getting support from your rhemmy team too.

Hope you feel better soon.

Take Care
Lou x

A big welcome from me Sophie

Sorry that you have RA at such a young age. I do hope that you have
a good support unit with Hospt and GP.

I am 57 and diagnosed 3 yrs ago. DMARDS been on 3 and all failed.
Started Humira 2 days ago - fingers crossed

Keep us updated you should find this forum great for info, and moans
and all general questioning

Keep posting

Rose

Hi Sophie,
A belated welcome from me, I've been a bit preoccupied with myself recently! It's a bit of a shocker when first diagnosed I remember it well, remember they have to list all the possible side effects on the info stuff, we're all different and react differently to these drugs at different times. But the percentages are very good and most people do very well on MTX, don't be too impatient though, I was, and don't expect too much too quickly, I did, better to enjoy the positives when they come and they will come.
Take care
Sara
x

Hi Sophie

And a very belated welcome from me too.

The forum has been a lifesaver for many of us as there is always someone to talk to and answer questions. Many of us try to get together one weekend each year, and this is a great way of making new friends.

I'm really sad to hear you have been diagnosed so early in life, but I'm sure Jenni will give you loads of support and encouragement.

I'm 68, married to Steve and have one daughter Lucy, a great s-i-l and 2 wonderful grandkids.

Look forward to getting to know you.

Love Jeanxxxx