I'm recently diagnosed and trying to come to terms with everything - it's a steep learning curve.Nice to have a place where I can "meet" people who understand. However great family and friends it's hard for them to understand what's going on.

Hi Fiona

Welcome to the forum. I am Sheila aged 60, diagnosed 9 years and currently on mxt. It is very difficult at first to come to terms with this illness, if we ever do but knowledge and sharing experiences and tips for coping are very useful. You will find the forum a great source of information and a place to meet people with the same problems, a trouble shared etc. Feel free to ask anything you like. We have all been there and someone will be able to answer your questions. Look forward to hearing from you again.

Sheila x

Hi Fiona

Welcome to the forum, it is good you have found us, as you will get much support and understanding.

I was diagnosed a couple of years ago, and now on a fairly new drug called CImzia, which is in the anti-tnf family of drugs. Usually you start on methotrexate which is the gold standard of treatment for RA, a medication that works remarkably well for many people.

Let us know how things are going, keep in touch.

Julia x

Hi Fiona

A warm welcome to the place where you will find a wealth of information advice and empathy.
You are right that although family and friends try to understand they can't really appreciate what you are going through but you will find plenty of people here who do.
I am 57 and was diagnosed 5 years ago. I am currently on Methotrexate and Enbrel which is working very well for me.
Looking forward to hearing more from you.

Best Wishes

Sue

Hello Fiona, and a very warm welcome to the forum, where everyone will try and help you as best we can.It`s hard coming to terms with RA, but all of us here know how you must be feeling right now.

I`m Kathleen, almost 61, and currently taking humira.

Take care,

Kathleen x

Hi Fiona

Welcome to the forum!

I'm Jean, 68, married to Steve with one daughter, a great s-i-l and two wonderful grandchildren - well, I am slightly biased!! I've had RA for about 9 years now.

Have NRAS sent you all the literature? If not, it's well worth asking as there is a wealth of info in there.

Look forward to getting to know you.

Love Jeanxx

Hi Fiona

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 although sorry you have to have the RA to go with it!

I'm Lyn, married to Mike, we have four 'kidults' Abby 23, Ian and Jake 18, and Louis 17. We live in Thornton Cleveleys in north west Lancashire. I was diagnosed with RA over 23 years ago and have since run the gauntlet of medication and had several surgical procedures along the way. Currently on Prednisolone, Methotrexate and Naproxen, (been on anti-tnf for 8 years but just stopped due to lack of efficacy, being assessed for Rituximab) and a wagon load of pain killers and other bits and pieces! But heyho...

Keep posting Fiona. Look forward to getting to know you

Lyn x

Hello fiona

Welcome to nras- the best thing about having ra!
I am Jenni. Married with 3 children who are 16, 14 and nearly 4
Severe ra I'm afraid, long list of meds and not brilliant physically.
I enjoy a good laugh and like to try and be positive.

I'm on Facebook with several others from here. If you look on the nras page I'm a friend- jenni b-l and then I can friend you.

Looking forward to chatting

Jenni

Hi Fiona
Just like you I was only told this year I had RA and I did feel down about it but today I posted my first mail and the replies I have got back have been great I feel lifted take heart things can only get better from here