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Rank: Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/15/2012
Posts: 10
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Hi everyone.
I'm 24, was diagnosed with RA 5 years ago at the age of 19, although I had symptoms for about a year before that. I've been on lots of different DMARDs and Anti-TNFs. I'm currently on rituximab, hydroxychloroquine, methotrexate, prednisolone, tramadol and folic acid. I had my first rituximab infusion 5 months ago and as yet it has done nothing to my RA. I'm due to have another course of infusions in February. My RA has proven very difficult to get under control despite all the drugs thrown at it. I also suffer from dry eyes and mouth due to the RA, and we think the uncontrolled inflammation has caused episcleritis in my eyes. I am waiting for an appt with an opthalmologist to confirm this.
I am a postgraduate student, studying for an MA. I hope to get to know you all better.
Scat.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,157 Location: Huddersfield
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Hi Scat,
Welcome to the forum! My heart goes out to you being diagnosed at such a young age.
However, you have come to the right place for support and information.
I am 62 and have had RA for 11 years, now taking humira and mtx . Sorry to hear your RA has been so difficult to control, you will find the right drug for you but unfortunately it all takes time. Hope the rituximab starts to work for you when you have the next infusion.
Looking forward to getting to know you, keep posting.
Love Doreen xx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/20/2010 Posts: 1,749 Location: Somerset
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Hello Scat,
So sorry to hear that you have RA and at such a young age. This is a great site though and you will get
lots of advice. So welcome from me.
I am Rose 57 from Somerset, diagnosed in 2008. I too have just had RTX and waiting for it to do its
magic. I was under the impression if there is not any difference in your DAS score it would not be
repeated.
Keep posting
Rose x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 1,524 Location: W. Yorkshire
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Hell Scat, What a time you're going through and so young too. Can't be helping you with your studies I'm sure. I'm an oldie (60!) I'm sorry you are having trouble finding the right meds for you but don't give up-the right one will e out there somewhere for you. It can take an awful lot of meds juggling before they get it right. 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 Scat, and welcome to the forum. It must be very hard, being landed with RA at such a young age - I felt bad enough when diagnosed at 55! I hope the next lot of RTX infusions help you. I was diagnosed six years ago, and currently take humira and a shed-load of various painkillers etc. Take care, Kathleen x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/18/2010 Posts: 1,098 Location: farningham kent
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Hi Scat
Hello and welcome to the forum, and so very sorry to hear you were diagnosed a such a young age, life truly isn t fair. I hope your next infusion will provide the relief you so desperately need, I will keep everything crossed for you. I got RA some three years ago at the age of 52, I started Cimzia early August last year having failed on infliximab and dmards etc and now at last have the disease fairly well controlled. I thought it would never happen, its just such a waiting game for the right meds to work.
I hope work on your MA is going well, I admire your determination not letting the RA control your life.
Best wishes Julia 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 Scat
A warm welcome from me too. Sorry that this horrible disease has hit you so early and really hope that they manage to get the medications right soon.
You will find this site very friendly, informative and supportive.
I am Sue 57 diagnosed 5 years and currently on Methotrexate and Enbrel. I too suffer with dry eyes for which I have lubricated artificial tears.
Looking forward to hearing more from you.
Best Wishes
Sue
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/7/2009 Posts: 262
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Hi Scat
welcome to the forum.
sorry to hear that you have not found an effective drug yet. There will be something that works well for you, its just a pain literally, trying to find it. I've heard people say that RTX has kicked in after the 2nd bout so let's hope the next infusion brings you some relief.
I have had RA since my mid 20s and have had a couple of bouts of episcleritis which I found quite painful. Steroid drops helped.
Good luck with your MA
Diane x
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 10/21/2010
Posts: 178
Location: aberdeen
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hello from me too scat.
so sorry to hear you have been diagnosed at such a young age and that you have already tried many drugs without effect so far.
I am one of the oldies at 59 and was diagnosed 18 months ago. As I am only taking methotrexate am not so well informed about any of the other drugs that are available but I have read from many previous posts that there will be something that works for you. In the meantime life can be very difficult - you must be made of strong stuff to be studying for an MA in the midst of all this. I wish you success with that - what is your subject?
.....eve x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/28/2011 Posts: 956 Location: North Preston
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Hi Scat
A big welcome from me too. I am Sheila, aged 60, diagnosed 9 1/2 years. I can only echo what all the others have said. It really must be very hard for you to concentrate on your studies but you will do it. I know you must think that the drugs are not working for you but it takes time to find the right ones and there is something out there for you, just try and stay positive. You will get all the help you need on the forum. We are a friendly bunch and will answer all your queries and questions and listen to all your moans and concerns. Looking forward to speaking to you again.
Sheila x
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Rank: Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/15/2012
Posts: 10
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Thank you so much for such a lovely welcome.
Hen - It's good to hear from someone who has had episcleritis. I've been scouring the net for information but there isn't a lot out there.
Eve - My MA is in Medieval Studies, specialising in women's writing and women's representation in literature.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/25/2010 Posts: 1,289 Location: Buckinghamshire
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hi Scat,
welcome from me too,
so sorry to hear you've been diagnosed at such a young age, i know how devasted i was at 57.
i hope the Rituximab does work wonders for you,
i started on Humira and have had a good improvement after 4 months although i'm not fully under control yet, i have been plagued with UTI's for months now which isn't helping my CRP. but i do feel a lot better on the Humira,
Methotrexate and Hydroxy on their own didn't work for me.
good luck with your studies,
Suzanne
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Rank: Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/15/2012
Posts: 10
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In the last 5 years I've taken oral MTX, sulphasalazine, azathioprine, leflunominde, hydroxychloroquine, Humira, sub-cut MTX, rituximab and varying doses of prednisolone. The closest I came to any type of remission was on the Humira, azathioprine and hydroxychloroquine combo. Everything else either did nothing or the side-effects were worse than the RA. Nothing works for very long before my RA gets a handle on it and over rides it.
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/18/2010 Posts: 1,098 Location: farningham kent
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Hi Scat
I feel very sorry to hear all the medications you have been on over the last five years and nothing has really been able to control the RA. It seems to me that the RA plays a fighting game with the drugs and will just not let go, that's how I felt for nearly two years and was convinced that after failing on infliximab ( I gave it nine months, but in hindsight should have stopped it earlier, it was only because I approached my consultant that I came off it ) Others on here may be able to help you with advice about Rtx, but personally I do wonder that if it hasn t made any difference at all after five months will it ever, bearing in mind what I know now, I personally would discuss this matter with your GP and medical team.
Take care Julia x
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