Hello all. I am very, very new to computers but not new to the nras or to R.A. unfortunatly. I have had this ridiculous disease for 5 yrs, diagnosed for4. I realise now that the first 2-3yrs were a real doddle compared to the last two, though I didn't appreciate it at the time! It seems to be all a matter of degree and how you can cope with it. I have found these last yrs quite a struggle, as much coming to terms with what I can no longer do as coping with the aches and pains. I still long to go for long walks with our little dog especially along the Pembrokeshire coastal paths, which we did every summer without fail. Thus the new laptop, one of my new sitting down activies. Love to hear all about your hobbies, anythiing I haven't tried and can still manage. Anyway better introduce myself. I'm Zena 61 married with two daughters and 6 grandchildren. they are my rock and mean the world to me. My meds are mtx, plaquinil and am just on rituximab......may be slight improvement wont speak to soon. Have tried quite a few other things! Anyway I am going to try and make this appear for you to read. I will be absolutly astonished ard astounded if it works!!! and very pleased.

Hi Zena

A warm welcome to the forum which I am sure like me you will find invaluable for help advice and support!

I am 57 married with 3 grown up children, 5 soon to be 6 grandchildren and have been diagnosed 5 years.

You are right this is a horrible disease and everybodies experience is different but is good to have this site to be able to come and have a moan or share a worry. At the moment I am taking Enbrel and Methotrexate which has really given me my life back.
I do hope that the rituximab works out for you and enables you to go for the walks that you enjoy. Sometimes though you just have to compromise and go for a drive and enjoy the view. I have found my laptop invaluable.

Look forward to hearing more from you.

Best Wishes

Sue

Hi Zena,

Welcome to the forum, you'll get lots of support and advice on here.
I am 61, married to Ian, with one daughter who is 22.
I have had RA for 11years, at the moment taking mtx and humira.
Good luck with the rituximab, hope it works really well for you.
Looking forward to getting to know you.

Love Doreen xx

Hi Zena,

welcome to the forum, So sorry u have this horrible disease, I am geraldine i have had RA for 4 years now like u have tried different drugs nothing seems to wanna work for me cant remember last day i didnt have pain.

One of the things i miss the most is one of my daughters has her own horse i really miss the stable life and the hacks out on her horse fill like my life been cut short.


I am 45 married with 3 daughters and 3 grandsons, look forward to hearing from u again.

Take care,

geraldineF xx

Hi Zena

Welcome to the forum, pleased you have joined us, it can be a true life line at times and so much valuable info you wouldn t find anywhere else. I am 56 and had the RA for about three years and now doing well on Cimzia, hope all goes well with your rtx infusions I ve found it seems to take a while for these type of drugs to really kick even if the text books say otherwise.

Best wishes Julia x

Thankyou all for taking the time to reply and for making me feel so welcome with your possitive and encouraging words. I can hardly believe that I have made so many new friends in such a short time and from all over the country,its great. I live in mid Wales Powys, a lovely part of the country. It is the first time I have spoken to others with the same type of problems. I think I am really going to enjoy being a member of the forum and getting to grips with modern technology at last!!! Many thanks Zena xxx

Hello Zena

Welcome to the forum which you will find invaluable. There is information, support and laughs along the way.

I am 49 and was diagnosed three years ago and have gone through a whole range of drugs and unfortunately failed on most. However, I am just waiting for delivery of the newest drug Simponi. This will be my third anti-tnf and having lately failed on Rituximab.

Yes my life has changed dramatically in the last three years. Although I work full time, I now work from home every other day. I no longer do housework or shopping. Luckily I have a wonderful Husband who does it all for me. I have a blue parking badge which is a lifeline to me to get me out for a short while. I had my first knee replacement just over a year ago but it has been a very slow recovery as the RA is not under control.

I remain positive and my hobbies are cross stitch (when the hands allow) but over the last year I have started card making. I really thought I did not have a talent for it but apparantly I do and I am always being asked by friends and relatives to make them some cards. I do not make a profit but just ask for a small donation to keep buying supplies.

I do not allow myself time to dwell on my diagnosis. I may not be able to do many things physically, but if I keep the old brain matter occupied, I manage to get through each day o.k.

It will be a pleasure getting to know you.

Take care

Jackie
xx

Julia, I know that you can take mtx by inj but have no experience of it. I take tablets, but be interesting to know if it is more effective in inj form.I often get an upset tum the next day, so perhaps I will discuss it with my rheumy nurse in or doc, if lucky enough to see him at my next app, in a couple of weeks! Jackie, you are amazing still to be working full time, well done and time for hobbies too. I used to teach young children, retired when my first grandchild was born, partly to help with child care and partly to enjoy and indulge myself by being involved in their care. I was a foster carer too but had to give that up when I could no longer fasten car seat buckles change nappies etc. etc. The last two years my R.A. has refused to listen to the drugs, steroids work the best but not good.You sound a very determined person. This time last year I was in a very bad place but much more able to cope now. Iam more possitive about my condition. Thanks for your support.Jenni, glad to hear you are out of hospital, hope you are feeling a bit better. Your gran sounds a wonderful person. My 10 yr old grandson helps me loads and my daughter who set this up for me and encouraged me to get a laptop in the first place for which I am very grateful.Thanks to you all.Zena

Hi Zena

Sorry for my late posting but 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!

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 almost 24 years ago and have since run the gauntlet of medication, had several surgical procedures along the way and looks like more in the offing! Currently on Prednisolone, Methotrexate, Naproxen and recently started Rituximab by infusion. I was previously on anti-tnf for 8 years but had to stop due to lack of efficacy and various other problems along the way. Add to that a bucket load of pain killers and other bits and pieces! But heyho...

Look forward to getting to know you Zena,

Lyn x