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Rank: Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/9/2012 Posts: 15 Location: Sidcup S E London
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Hi to all, I have just had it confirmed that I have RA.
My name is Mary, I am 52 married to Mike with two grown up children.
Mike was diagnosed with Parkinson's about 5 years ago so I was hoping to keep well to be able to look after him!
I see the consultant this coming Friday to discuss the way forward and get some medication.
Up until now my fingers have been the worst effected, followed by feet and then shoulders. To be honest I've ached just about everywhere. I've had to remove my wedding ring because of swelling, hopefully I will be able to get it back on at some point?
It's great to have you all here for support and look forward to hearing from you.
Mary
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/19/2011
Posts: 31
Location: Manchester
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Hi Mary,
Welcome to the forum but very sorry to hear you have been diagnosed with RA.
This is a great place to come for advice and support, I don't often post but do come on and read other posts and have found all the members so friendly and helpful.
I'm Deb 36 and was diagnosed 6 years ago, I currently take sulfasalazine and celebrex to help control the inflammation and pain.
Do let us know how you get on with the consultant
Deb xx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,157 Location: Huddersfield
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Hi Mary,
Welcome to the forum! You'll get lots of friendly advice and support on here.
Sorry to hear of your diagnosis, and your husband's Parkinson's and I hope you can soon get started on meds that help you.
I am 61, have had RA for 11 years and now take mtx and humira. I live with my husband, Ian and we have a 22 year old daughter who is at present working and travelling in Canada.
I left it too late with my wedding ring and had to have it cut off but I had that and my engagement ring enlarged and can now wear them comfortably most of the time.
Looking forward to getting to know you.
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 Mary Welcome to the forum but sorry you have RA. You are definatley in the right place for advice news and banter. I too had to have my wedding ring cut off some 5 yrs ago, however I got piece put in and was only without it for 2 months. I hate not having it on as I this year celebrate my 34th wedding anniversary. I am Rose, married to Mike to grown up children and 1 7 yr old Granddaughter. I was diagnosed in 2008, although I am now told I need to see Specialist again as the anti TN F's not working and they feel by now something should have. I hope I get sorted as it makes you feel like a fraud. I know the pain I am in, like you my hands,fingers, feet, shoulders, back , elbows anywhere really. You take care and keep posting Rose 
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 6/18/2010 Posts: 351 Location: Herne Bay Kent
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Hi Mary A very warm welcome to the forum but sorry to hear about your diagnosis and that your husban is also unwell. You will find this a great place for advise and support and there is always someone who knows where you are coming from. I too had to have my wedding and engagement rings cut off due to swollen fingers but have had them enlarged and am able to wear them comfortably. I hope that you soon get sorted on medication that is right for you and that you are soon feeling more in control of things. I am 57 and have been diagnosed 5 years and am currently on Methotrexate and Enbrel which is working well for me. Look forward to hearing more from you. 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 Mary A warm welcome to the forum, just the place to keep in touch with others who understand what its like having RA. I am sorry to hear that your husband is not in the best of health and hopefully when you get on the right medication you will regain much of your life, just takes time sometimes. You ll have to let us know what medication you will be on and how things go in the near future. I am a divorced mum with one son still at home, I am 56 and with my RA starting about three years ago now, I am currently taking Cimzia and methotrexate injections together with a few other bits and bobs, don t rattle so much these days Best wishes Julia x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,689 Location: Durham
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Hi Mary, and a very warm welcome to the forum, though obviously I`m sorry you`ve been diagnosed with RA. There is always plenty of info, advice, and humour on here - and by gum, we need it! I hope you have a good appointment with your consultant, and get proper pain relif, etc. I had to have my wedding ring cut off when it got too tight, but had it enlarged and was soon able to have it back on my finger. I had to wait about 6 weeks before the jeweller would measure, once the swelling had settled. I`m Kathleen, married to Nick for 40 years. I`m 61, and we have two sons and two little grandsons. Do keep posting, Take care, Kathleen x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/3/2011 Posts: 717 Location: Torbay
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Hello Mary, it's nice to 'meet' you. Sorry you have been diagnosed with RA. It's a big shock and takes some getting used to. I was diagnosed in August 2011 after becoming very ill in April of that year so I am not far ahead of you. I know this is a difficult time but it does get easier, I promise! People on this site have been so supportive for me and to be honest I don't know what I'd have done without them. Feel free to ask any questions you want or just vent feelings if this would help. There is always someone who's been there before with the same problem and there is much useful advice to be had here. I look forward to hearing from you in the future.
Best wishes from Naomi.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/25/2010 Posts: 1,289 Location: Buckinghamshire
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hi Mary,
welcome.
there's no doubting when first diagnosed i felt like i'd been hit with a sledge hammer .. to the point i lost over half a stone in the first week with stress.
then you are hit with all the info on drugs, bloods etc. so it is such a lot to take it and absorb. i am sorry to hear of your Husbands diagnosis as well.
my shoulders were the most painful to start with, i had an injection in both of them ( i was diagnosed in June 2010 ) and have to say i got instant relief which has lasted.
i found the NRAS Helpline a great support when first diagnosed, i didn't know about the forum for a few months,
keep posting there is always someone to help here,
Suzanne
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,110 Location: London
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Hello Mary Welcome from me too!! This is the place to be for support knowledge and information of RA and all its problems!! I am Barbara, 58 married with 4 grown kids. Diagnosed in July 2009, on methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, and about to begin my first injection of Humira arriving on Friday. I hope you find the best drugs for you and that they work quickly, keep reading posts, and post any thoughts or concerns for everyone to help you with BARBARA
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 2,127
Location: Thornton Cleveleys
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Hi Mary 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 (but gave up on the rings many years ago!), we have four 'big kids' Abby 24, 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 seem to have just failed on Rituximab! 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... Like anything, a positive outlook and a determination not to be beaten goes a long way! Look forward to getting to know you Mary. Keep posting and let us know how your appointment goes. Lyn x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 838 Location: Nottinghamshire
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Hello Mary Welcome to the forum. I've had RA for nearly four years now and I class myself as being one of the lucky ones here. Got diagnosed quickly (went private another story there), drugs started to work within 6 weeks of taking them, no side effects at all, not even when MTX was added two years later. I've had my ups and downs with RA, but nothing like what others have had. Fingers crossed you will be the same. I had to take my wedding ring off about two years ago. Realised it was difficult to get off, lots of washing up liquid and tugging and pulling and I managed it, not because my fingers had swelled, but my knuckles had got bigger. I went without my ring for along time hoping that they would go down, unfortunately they didn't. I didn't feel right without my wedding ring on, it must of raised a few eyebrows when we went away, husband with a wedding ring on and me not.  I did inquire at a jewellers about having it made bigger, he quoted me over £100  . I ended up taking it to a little kiosk inside my indoor market in town and paid £16, very pleased with the result as well. Sorry to read about your husband it must be very difficult for you both at the moment, but hopefully, like I said things will get for you better soon. Keep posting and let us know how things are, any question about RA just ask, we all know what it's like and understand how you are feeling. Take Care Paula x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/21/2012 Posts: 388 Location: Powys
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Hi Mary, Glad youv'e found everyone on here, they have heaps of experience and knowledge available. I haven't been looking on here long, but have found out loads already just reading through the posts. I'm zena, married with two daughters and six grand children. I' ve been diagnosed for four yrs, it is a big shock at first, but hopefully you will get meds. sorted soon and be able to get back to some sort of normality. Good luck, Zena x.
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