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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/10/2011
Posts: 5
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Hi
John (my husband) was eventually diagnosed with RA in October (although it all started in April), because he was suffering from night sweats, they needed to rule out Lymphoma (which was ruled out, thank goodness, last month) he has been in terrible pain since April and both his hands and elbows have been swollen too. He's currently taking Methotraxate, plus Prednisolone and Sulfasalazine, plus all others to counteract any problems you get through taking them!! it's 7 weeks since adding the Methotraxate (he'd been taking the other two since July) but still no respite! he has an appointemnt to see the consultant in January (which will be over 3 months since taking the MTX) when he will review how things are and if John is still suffering, he will prescribe something else. I just thought the Arthritis was an 'old' persons problem, but I have found that this has been life changing for us, and at the moment cant see the end of the tunnel for John, each morning I hope he will be able to say he actuallly feels some relief.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/3/2011 Posts: 717 Location: Torbay
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Hi Sue and John. Welcome to the forum. My name is Naomi and like you John I have been suffering since April and have been on Methotrexate for 10 weeks. I also had misconceptions about RA in the past as I confused it with Osteoarthritis as many people do. I am so glad that you've joined NRAS as it is such a good source of information and support. If you've got a question or are going through various symptoms there is always someone here who understands who's been through it too. You won't feel alone.
Best wishes from Naomi.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 6/18/2010 Posts: 351 Location: Herne Bay Kent
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Hi Sue and John Welcome to the forum, which you will find such a help and a support as you work your way through all the questions and worries that arises with RA. So sorry John that you are still suffering so much pain and do hope that the Methotrexate starts to kick in soon. It is a very good drug and the gold standard for treatment of RA. I am Sue married to John!! and have been diagnosed 5 years. Look forward to hearing more from you both. Best Wishes Sue 
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/18/2010 Posts: 1,098 Location: farningham kent
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Hi Sue and John Welcome both to the forum, it is a great place to share thoughts and advice about RA. I am no expert, but I feel it is early days with the methotrexate and hopefully it will kick in shortly, it works really very well for many people on the site and no doubt you will read more about this medication from others. Have you been offered diclofenac a non-steroid drug which can be very helpful with the inflammation and pain? Hope the situation improves very soon, from those who really know, stay positive you will get life back on track  Best wishes Julia x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,157 Location: Huddersfield
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Hi Sue and John,
Welcome to the forum but sorry John has RA. You'll get lots of support and advice on here, where we all know exactly what it's like to live with RA.
I am 62 and have had RA for 10 years, now taking mtx and humira.
As others have said, 7 weeks is early days for the mtx, it can take up to 3 months for it to have an effect but lots of people do extremely well on it.
Hope things start to improve for John soon.
Looking forward to getting to know you both.
Love Doreen xx
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/9/2010
Posts: 77
Location: Hampshire
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Hi Sue and John Welcome to the forum sorry to hear that John has been diagnosed with RA. My name is Deborah I am nearly 47 and married to Geoff.I was diagnosed just over a year ago. I have found this forum to be very friendly and helpful and its great to know that others know exactly how we are feeling. Take care Debs
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 1,524 Location: W. Yorkshire
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And a warm welcome from me too. YES I'VE CHANGED, PAIN DOES THAT TO PEOPLE.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,689 Location: Durham
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Hello Sue and John, and a very warm welcome to the forum. It`s a very difficult and frustrating time when you are waiting for a particular drug/combination of drugs to work, and a very slow process.Hopefully, when the meds kick in things will improve, but it`s hard waiting for this to happen. I`m Kathleen, age 60, and currently on humira. I was diagnosed almost six years ago, and have found so much help on this forum. Take care, Kathleen x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/8/2010 Posts: 914
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Hi Sue and John, Sorry to hear you have RA, but welcome to the club Tea shirt will be in the post. You have to smile on here as it keeps you going. I am Lorna married to Ken for almost 30 years we have 3 daughters who are grown up now the youngest is 17. Like yourselves I didn't know what RA was when I was diagnosed 4 years ago. I feel for you being in so much pain BUT please be assured it does get easier. When I was diagnosed 4 years ago it hit me like a ton of bricks. I was bedridden in 5 weeks, I was in agony and taking 14 painkillers a day. I couldn't move my hands neck or right arm, it was hell. I could not stand straight, it was 2 weeks before Xmas I thought my number was up. Please, I am telling you this to let you know all is not lost. I was put on the Triple Therapy and now I am as well as before, although I do get tired if I do too much. Being positive is very important too, yes I know that is very difficult when you feel this bad. Mtx usually kicks in around the 12 week mark, things will improve given time. Big hugs from me too as I know how difficult it is too cope when you feel all is lost. I never gave up hope I tried to do little things so I felt in control not the RA. Keep posting thinking about you. Lorna
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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/10/2011
Posts: 5
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Hi Thank you all for your kind words, plus to reassure us that John's experience is similar to others, and that time is the key. Sue & John
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/20/2010 Posts: 1,749 Location: Somerset
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Welcome to you both This site and the forum is great you will quickly gain new friends who going through similar to you and can put your mind at ease. It is an awful disease RA, and effects us all so differently , as you no doubt have read. I am Rose 57 from Somerset, been on 3 diff DMARDS all failed, and 1 TNF which failed and now just had another TNF infusions of Rituxamab and waiting for the magic to work. I am married to Mike for 33 years and 2 grown up children, plus 1 Grand daughter. Keep posting,. Rose
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,110 Location: London
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Hi Sue and John, just adding my welcome to you. I am Barbara, diagnosed in July 2009, currently on methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine. I am maried and have four grown kids, youngest being 18. It does take a while, but when the right combination is there John you will get relief from the constant pain. Take your pain meds regularly, that way its always in your system and has better chance of working. There is loads of help and advice here, many member who have loads of knowledge and will make you feel welcome. I hope you get some relief soon, take care BARBARA
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 856
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Hi Sue and John Welcome from me too. The forum is a great palce for help, advice, friendship -and fun ! I'm Maria- had RA for 4 yrs- ( it started just after my 50th Birthday- what a present ) and it was finally diagnosed in 2008 after almost a year of pain and going back and forth to the doctor. I'm on sulfasalazine ( 1000mg twice a day) and 15 mg of methotrexate a week. It has worked well for me on the whole, apart from the occasional flare up when I add an anti inflammatory to the mix (in my case meloxicam). I also take paracetamol if needed. However- I'm not suggesting you take anything extra without consulting your gp!!!! As others have said, it can take a while for the meds to kick in and it got to the point for me when I wondered if i was ever going to get any relief. I was expecting instant results, and i'm not the most patient of people!!! I'm pleased to say that I can't remember the really bad times at the start. At first I was on sulfasalazine alone and it took a good 3 months before I started to notice any beneft. It worked well for about 18 months, then the methotrexate was added and thankfully things have been much better. It has been such a shock for me and I think I'm finally starting to accept that it's now part of my life. I'm fortunate that I can still work 4 days a week. I hope that John will start to see some improvement soon. Take care Maria x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/25/2010 Posts: 1,289 Location: Buckinghamshire
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hi Sue and John,
welcome aboard .. it's a great place to find support and information.
i agree it's still early days on the Methotrexate, i was told it could take a full 12 weeks to work, sadly it didn't for me. but it is the gold standard drug so hopefully it will kick in soon for John.
keep posting there is always someone here to help,
Suzanne
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/28/2011 Posts: 956 Location: North Preston
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Hi Sue and John
Welcome from me too. I am Sheila aged 60, diagnosed 9 years ago and currently on mxt. I hope you soon find some respite and that mxt works for you. Looking forward to getting to know you on the forum.
Sheila x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 2,237 Location: nr Southampton
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hELLO and welcome from me too
Im Jenni, aged 35 and married with 3 children.
Severe RA Im afraid and time hasnt really helped much! But I have a full and blessed life really.
RA is a rubbish disease that robs people of so much whatever their age. I was 20 when I was diagnosed
Welcome again
Jenni how to be a velvet bulldoser
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 10/17/2011
Posts: 40
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Hi John / Sue As you can see another John, age to old to remember I feel sorry for the pain you must be in but the mxt will take a time to kick in and when it does you will feel better, you can have a great life so do not give up keep fighting. This forum has been great to me because you will hear from people who have had ra for a long time and still give advice, one of the best ways is to laugh and I am sure you will look back on this in time and know you are back on track. All the best and keep fighting 
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/19/2010
Posts: 384
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Hi Sue and John
I'm Anne 51 years young and married with two sons 19 and 21 and also a foster boy aged 9.
I was diagnosed in May 2010 and put on MTX and apart from a few blips along the way I can honestly say that for much of the time I forget I have RA, I take 25mg. The pain before the RA kicked in was horrendus and there have been times since being on MTX that it has returned. Hang on in there because hopefully there will be light at the end of the tunnel for you.
Take care
Anne x
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