Hi All,
I'm Fiona, turned 40 this year and just diagnosed within the last two weeks with RA, am due to start my first dose of mtx on Friday - I'm scared and sad - my life has just turned on it's head in six weeks.
I have a wonderful hubby and three gorgeous kiddies, eldest daughter will be 18 at the end of next week and a son(12) and another daughter (10). I work full time but I don't really know how to explain to them what is happening to me...
You are all very supportive in this forum and I'm looking forward to sharing my experiences with you knowing that someone will have already been there and have a good idea of what I maybe should expect next !! I get the feeling that RA is always going to be one step ahead of me...
Take care,
Fifi, xx

Hi Fiona - I am Sheila aged 60, diagnosed 9 years ago and currently on mxt. I am sorry that you have got RA but you have done the right thing by posting on the forum. As you say, we have all gone through the awful time of first being diagnosed and it is a scary time as you don't know what is in store but it isn't all bad news. As Jean says, the drugs these days are very good at controlling the disease. Hopefully you have been diagnosed very early on in the disease and the earlier you are treated the better. Methotrexate does affect people in different ways, usually it seems with nausea but I can honestly say that in 9 years I have never experienced any nausea or sickness at all. It can cause your hair to thin a bit but this settles down once your body gets used to the drug. I would advise you to take your tabs in the evening so that if you are a bit nauseas you sleep through it. You might feel a little tired the following day or two but this too should settle down. As for explaining it to your family. This is a difficult one becasue we don't even understand it ourselves. I would tell you to get as much information by way of pamphlets and leaflets from NRAS as you can because they are very informative and your children are old enough to read these and get some idea of what is happening to you. My family has been very supportive and I am sure you will find that your family will too. It is a difficult time for them too so they will need some time to get used to the idea that mum has maybe got to change the way she does things and that you will need more help from them. RA is a life changing disease but having the right drugs, a lot of support from family, friends and the NRAS and a positive attitude will help you to be as little affected by it as possible. Keep your chin up and post on the forum as much as you like. You can, ask as many questions as you like, have a moan, cry, share experiences and find a strength from people who know how you are feeling. Speak to you again soon.

Sheila x

Hi Fiona,

Welcome to the forum, where we all know exactly what you are going through! You will get lots of support and advice on here.
I am 61 and have had RA for 10 years, now taking mtx and humira.
It is scarey when you are first diagnosed, and taking mtx for the first time but we have all been there and even though it can take a long time for the mtx to take effect, it is one of the most effective drugs for RA, and I hope it works well for you.
Looking forward to getting to know you,

Love, Doreen xx

Hi Ladies,

Thank you so much for welcome messages and encouraging replies, I really appreciate your help and support..
I know it's going to be a tough route ahead - my daughter, Emily is a fantastic help and thank heaven she is only going to Uni down the road, Hubby is very practical and hands on with the family and household chores, unfortunately he is working away with no idea when he will be home....so Em and you guys will be my rocks!
Thank you again,
Fifi xx

Hi Fiona

Welvome to the forum as already has been said you will find it so helpful and supportive. You can rant and rave and ask any questions and there is always someone with some wise words and support.
I am 57 diagnosed 5 years and am currently taking Methotrexate and Enbrel which is working very well for me at this time. My children have long flown the nest but it is lovely to hear that your daughter is being so supportive of you.

Look forward to hearing more from you.

Best Wishes

Sue

Hello Fiona.

I might be the first male to respond. There a few of us on this forum. I have been diagnosed since March so about 5 months ago.

Yes it is scary - I feel my normal life is now hijacked by this illness. The most depressing part for me is the "no cure - lifelong illness" perspective.

I am 45 married to a wonderful lady and two kids and all aspects of my life are now impacted. The anxiety of not being able to work with normal passion, can't do exercise, can't do DIY (I don't miss that so much!), can't even kick a football or play cricket with my kids...the story of impact is endless.

But as in your case the starting of drugs was very quick for me..

You may find that MTX dosage ramps up quickly.

I am actually on triple DMARD Drugs with MTX, Hydroxychloroquine and recently Sulfasalazine also. Trying to fight back hard.. and luckily no big side effects for me..blood tests fine so far.

From taking no pills I now take nearly 50 a week!

The other people have been very supportive to me and despite all the doom and gloom I would say that MTX is beginning to do a little for me.

So keep positive that after 3- 6months we might see some hope of control returning. I am told the first year is hardest..

- Darshin

Hi,
Thanks again for your kind words of encouragement, my consultant has mentioned adding sulfasalazine after 4th week of mtx. How does he know if it takes so long for any benefits to show?!!
What I would like to know is can I keep going to zumba classes? I have strapped up my wrist and ankles that feel weak and hurt, but will I do them any more damage, I love to do zumba but I'm not sure if I'm doing more harm than good?!! I suppose I should find something less exhilarating like yoga...
Fifi xx

Hello Fiona and welcome

I am jenni, aged 35, married with 3 child through a mixture of birth and adoption! Bit of a bohemian mix one way and another. I think you need to think about the ra as a loss of some things but you would be amazed at some of the things we can and do achieve.
I have severe ra (don't worry only 3% of ra'ers get it like this) I have taught for 10 yrs and been through a lot of life. I am full time home but volunteer for nras amongst other things like going on a social enterprise course.

Re the dancing, it sounds pretty high impact and really until that drug cocktail kicks in, I would think water based exercise has to be gentler and less damaging. Ideally you need an occupational therapist to do and energy conservation thing with you.

I refuse to allow my mind to dwell too long on my long list of cannots. I try and think round things creatively. We all have tough days. In all honesty the forum Allows you to say it how it is and consider ways ahead.

Jenni xx

Fiona

A big hello from me and welcome. I am sorry that your have RA and that you feel your life has been turned on its head. It comes as an enormous shock when you are first diagnosed as it sounds such a serious disease. The good things is that they are now getting good at early intervention and try and zap it in its path with some pretty powerful drugs. They are hard-hitting but the RA is not going to go away on its own.

You now have to take the time to take stock of your life. There IS life after RA. You just have to make adjustments. The biggest advice I can give you is listen to your body. Try and even out the energetic items followed out by a more relaxing one. Unfortunately yes you can damage your joints it you are not careful but never, say never, as exercise is a key thing to getting through RA. It just has to be in moderation and under advice from those in the know.

When I was first diagnosed two years ago I was overwhelmed with what had happened and trying to take in all the new information. I have carried on working, have been through a range of drugs and am still battling this awful disease. The key is to keep busy as much as possible. It does not have to be physical but keep your mind occupied so that you do not dwell on it. The biggest help I found with my family was I left the NRAS booklets lying around the house for my family to read. They did this at their leisure without me forcing it down their throats and now they have a good understanding of why some days all I want to do it crawl into my bed, other days I might be short tempered because of the pain and then again I can have some good days. RA if very unpredicatable. If you work they also do an excellent booklet for your employer as your working life can also be affected.

Posting on this forum will also help you enormously. Ask anything and have a moan. We have all done it and always feel much better afterwards. Putting down in words how you feel can be a great help. We will also give you straight answers as it is a rocky road, but there will always be a hand to help you.

Take care and keep posting.

Jackie
xx

Fiona,

I have bumped the piece for you,

Rhuematiod Flair/flare, I hope you find this as helpful as I have.

Trace x