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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/3/2011 Posts: 717 Location: Torbay
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Hello everyone
My name is Naomi. I am 46 years old and was diagnosed with RA just 9 days ago. I am still in shock about it all. My consultant suspects I have a 2nd systemic autoimmune disorder too and is still doing tests. I am taking prednisolone now and they make me feel awful. Actually I am on 7 different drugs but I think it's the steroids that are giving me unpleasant side effects. I persevere because they have helped with the pain. I am due to go onto methotrexate soon. I'm waiting for the appointment to come through. I am quite scared about everything that the future might hold. I would be really interested to hear from other people who are in the same situation.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/28/2011 Posts: 956 Location: North Preston
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Hi Naomi
I am Sheila aged 60 diagnosed 9 years ago and currently on methotrexate. I am sorry you have got RA but you are in the system now and the rheumatology team will look after you. It is very scary when you are first diagnosed and your mind runs riot with all the usual things about the future but I think everyone on the forum would tell you to take each day as it comes. I was terrified when I had to take methotrexate for the first time but I have honestly had no problems with it from the outset. I have had different drugs and injections when things are really bad but mxt has been good for me. You will here some worrying stories on here but everyone is different and some of these are the worst case scenario. Most people when regulated on medication cope very well and you will too. This forum is great for sharing experiences, finding out information about drugs, symptoms, side effects etc and for having a moan or a complaint about something. We are all in the same boat and everyone is helpful and friendly. You will find that the general public is quite ignorant about RA. They don't understand what it involves and this is where the forum comes into it's own. Everyone on here does understand and nothing you say will be a shock or sound silly. This sounds strange under the circumstances but it is a comfort to know that what you are experiencing is normal for this disease. I hope you continue to post and I look forward to speaking to you again. Good luck with your medication.
Sheila x
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/3/2011 Posts: 717 Location: Torbay
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 2,237 Location: nr Southampton
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Hello Naomi Welcome to nras! Sorry to hear about the ra though- you will soon find that the forum is fab support. I am jenni and I am 35 now. Started with the ra when I was 20. Been busy collecting various auto immune dx ever since! I have a supportive husband and 3 children who are 16, 14 and 3. Most people do brilliantly on mtx and that means the steroids can be reduced and you can come off them. The leaflet with mtx, I recommend you read it once and put it away! It can be scarey otherwise and really, the drs know it so well. You will be checked often so the slightest bit of hassle it will be sorted. My ra ended up being the severe end of systemic disease but most get middle rang ra which has grumbling stuff that's controlled. Some get mild disease that goes into remission quickly. Have you had a referral to occupational therapy yet? Welcome again Jenni x how to be a velvet bulldoser
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/3/2011 Posts: 717 Location: Torbay
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Thanks jenni
No I haven't been referred to OT yet. No one has mentioned this to me so far but it would be really useful as I am struggling with so many tasks from getting in and out of the bath to walking and lifting kettles and pans (and so many other things too). I'd also love some physiotherapy as my muscles are really weak. I used to love swimming but when I got very ill with RA in April and May I developed Raynaud's phenomenon at the same time and I know that a cold pool would trigger an attack.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,157 Location: Huddersfield
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Hi Naomi,
Welcome to the forum, but sorry you have RA.
We have all been where you are now and understand exactly what you are going through. You are in a dark place at the moment but you will get through it.
The RA drugs are very scarey at first. I agree with Jenni....read the leaflet once then bin it! Mtx is known as the gold standard treatment for RA and many do extremely well on mtx alone. It is just a bit of waiting game to find out which drugs work for each of us, as we all react differently to them.
I am 61 and have had RA for 10 years, currently taking mtx and humira. I live with my husband Ian and 22year old daughter who at present is working in Canada.
Keep posting, you'll get lots of support on here, and have a read through some of the "fun" threads which show there is life after RA!
Looking forward to getting to know you.
Love Doreen xx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,689 Location: Durham
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Hi Naomi, and welcome to the forum - it`s nice to "meet" you! The time following diagnosis is very difficult, as you have no idea what the future holds, and you`ve just had the shock of finding out what you`ve got! Added to that is the frustration of waiting for drugs to kick in and actually work, which is a slow process. The good thing is, you`ll get there in the end - we all know exactly where you are coming from. Hopefully the MTX will bring some benefits for you. I`m Kathleen, diagnosed almost 6 years ago. I`m married to Nick - for almost 40 years!! - and we have two sons and two precious grandsons. I`m currently on humira. Keep posting, Kathleen C x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 6/18/2010 Posts: 351 Location: Herne Bay Kent
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Hi Naomi
Welcome to the forum but sorry you have been diagnosed with RA. I am 57 and been diagnosed 5 years and currently on Methotrexate and Enbrel. I too have found the Methotrexate very helpful but it can take quite a few weeks to kick in.
You will find lots of people on this forum who have a wealth of knowledge so you can always ask any questions and find someone who will be able to help you.
There is so much to take in when you are first diagnosed and it can seem overwhelming but things do get better.
Look forward to hearing more from you.
Best Wishes
Sue
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/3/2011 Posts: 717 Location: Torbay
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Thanks everyone for welcoming me. I am so glad this site exists.
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 2,127
Location: Thornton Cleveleys
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Hi Naomi 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! NRAS produce loads of literature about living with RA, treatments etc. Two you may find useful are 'Newly diagnosed' and 'Managing well - Living with RA', do order some if you haven't already done so. I'm Lyn, married to Mike, we have four 'kidults', 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, Prednisolone, Methotrexate and Naproxen, and a barrow load of pain killers and other bits and bobs to keep things ticking over! Things have gone rather pear shaped of late so awaiting new treatment. But heyho... Pleased to hear that you have been started on treatment quickly and methotrexate will soon be added to the mix; the gold standard drug used in the treatment of RA and has given many people excellent results. I hope it works well for you. We are all in the same situation but the prognosis for anyone diagnosed recently is excellent. The range of treatments available, which slow down the progression of the disease, is increasing all the time and a positive outcome is very likely. There are several folk on here who have more than one auto-immune disease; these diseases like to travel in company it seems! Your rheumatology team should be able to arrange appointments with Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Podiatry as part of your care package so do ask at your next appointment. All these things are important in your over all care. I look forward to getting to know you Lyn x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 346
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Hi Naomi,
Welcome to the forum. You will find it a big help and find lots of support on here.
I can't really add much more to the advice others have given you, but hopefully once the methtrexate starts to work and you get referred to OT etc things will begin to seem brighter.
Bevxx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/20/2010 Posts: 1,749 Location: Somerset
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Hello
I have answered you on the other post.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/25/2010 Posts: 1,289 Location: Buckinghamshire
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hi Naomi,
welcome aboard.
totally understand the shock of being diagnosed .. i managed to lose over half a stone in the week i was told and the thought of having to start Methotrexate.
you have to learn to be patient when starting a new drug, as non of them are quick fix. hopefully Methotrexate will work well for you ( i was told to give it 12 weeks )
i have failed on Methotrexate and Hydroxy so have just started on Humira ( had my first dose nearly a fortnight ago )
you will always get support and advice on the Forum,
i'm 58 married with a grown up daughter.
keep posting,
Suzanne x
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 6/20/2010
Posts: 62
Location: Manchester
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Hi Naomi,
Welcome to the forum.
My name is Michelle I am 34 years of age and I was diagnosed with RA April 2010. I'm currently on Methotrexate, Prednisolone, folic acid, co-codamol.
The waiting before you are diagnosed is very scary, I remember waiting on the list to see the consultant when pains started in the Dec 2009.
The NRAS website has been a god send for me, and I am so glad that I joined, the support and advice you get from all on here is amazing!!!
Speak soon Love Michelle.x.x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/8/2010 Posts: 914
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Hi Again Naomi, I have given you an answer on your other post too. Welcome to our forum it is very helpful and supportive. We are all there for one another, I am Lorna I have had RA for almost 4 years. I am married and have three daughters. I was very ill at the time of diagnoses but I was diagnosed within 5 weeks and started immediately on the triple therapy which has had an amazing turnaround for me. I was bed ridden and unable to do the simplest tasks and now I am as well as before. Try to be positive there are happy endings too. It is mind blowing when you are told you have RA and the drugs are just as bad but they do help when you get you're head around things. Glad you have found us, keep posting. Take care Lorna x 
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 11/26/2010 Posts: 71 Location: London
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Hi Naomi, Sorry to hear you've joined our club. I'm Vicky, 34, and have RA and also an auto-immune kidney disease. I was finally diagnosed in Nov 2010 after first getting symptoms in July 2010. I've so far failed on Sulfasalazine and am now on Hydroxychloriquine which seems to have little effect so I'm starting on Enbrel as well in a few weeks. My kidney disease rules out a few of the usual RA drugs but I'm also on prednisolone which I've had in much bigger doses for my kidneys in the past. The side effects are not much fun and I've gained weight as I've been unable to exercise really, apart from very gentle swimming. I've also got Raynauds but find I can swim alright in a warmer pool so if yours has a baby pool give it a go. I found being in the water was quite a relief for my joints. At first I didn't have the energy to swim and just pootled around but that really made me feel better. Getting dry is hard work so give yourself plenty of time. My pool has a steam room too and my joints like it! Raynauds-wise I've found the biggest challenge is getting anything out of the freezer! Ouch! I use my oven gloves to help protect my hands, or ask my partner to get things for me  I hope the Methotrexate works well for you, and keep posting! Vicky xx
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