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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/12/2012
Posts: 3
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Hi all. I am a new member, my name is maya. I have just recently been diagnosed with RA, I am 35 years old. I am on Methotrexate and was on Hydroxychloroquine but had to come off it due to side effects. The RA nurse said the Methotrexate takes up to 12 weeks to work so I have 6 weeks still to go, fingers crossed. Still in quite alot of pain especially in my feet, fingers and thigh. Less so in arms and knees. NSAID's and pain killers are helping but still in pain. I went to a support group recently and I was the youngest one there but met some really nice people. It's been quite hard to come to terms with  but hopefully I will start to feel better soon. NRAS has helped me alot with information on RA. So many thanks to them. Regards Maya P.S I also have hypothyroidism.
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 2,127
Location: Thornton Cleveleys
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Hi Maya 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 24, Ian and Jake 18, and Louis 17. We live in north west Lancashire. I was diagnosed with RA 24 years ago, at the age of 31 and have since run the gauntlet of medication, had several surgical procedures along the way and looks like more in the offing! Currently on a changing variety of meds after recent failures but permanently on Prednisolone and Naproxen and a bucket load of other stuff! I was previously on anti-tnf for 8/9 years (Infliximab and Enbrel) but had to stop due to lack of efficacy and various other problems along the way, and just failed on Rituximab. Medication for Rheumatoid is a very personal thing and what works for one person may not work for another. Methotrexate has long been the gold standard drug and many people do very well on it. It can however take a long time to build up in your system and reach it's maximum effect, anything up to about 16 weeks has been known. Do stick with it! What is important is that you have adequate pain relief and keep this topped up, it works best that way. Your GP is responsible for day to day pain meds so if you feel you need something more don't be afraid to ask. There are no medals for 'braving' it out and suffering unnecessarily! Hope you start to feel better soon. Look forward to getting to know you,  Lyn x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/3/2011 Posts: 717 Location: Torbay
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Hello Maya. I'm Naomi, aged 47, and I was diagnosed last September but was ill before that. You've done well to join NRAS and come onto the forum as there is so much support and information available here. It's certainly helped me over the last year in coping with symptoms and coming to terms with the diagnosis. I'm currently on Plaquenil and about to restart Mtx too (as soon as my chest infection clears up). If you've got any questions or want to hear about other people's experiences of anything you're going through then ask away. There are people on here who've had RA for years and there is so much wisdom to benefit from. Best wishes and I look forward to getting to know you better.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/7/2012 Posts: 149 Location: S E London
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Hi Maya,
Welcome to the site, I have only been here a couple of months.
I'm married to Mike, who has Parkinson's and have 2 grown up children.
There are some very knowledgable people on here, so there is always someone who can answer your questions.
Hope the MTX starts to work soon.
Best wishes
Mary
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/21/2012 Posts: 388 Location: Powys
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Hello Maya, lovely name.
A quick welcome, it is just a pity we all have to meet this way, with this disease in common! Hope the mtx works wonders for you, as you will soon discover nothing can be rushed with this disease, apart from the flareups which happen very quickly. Everything else happens in slow motion! I did very well on mtx alone for a couple of years and it still helps loads so hopefully it will do the trick for you. Sorry to hear that you have hypothyroidism, is that anything to do with an over active thyroid? Not heard of it.
Anyway best wishes, Zena x.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,157 Location: Huddersfield
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Hi Maya,
Welcome to the forum! You'll get lots of support and advice on here.
I am 62 and have had RA for 11 years, now taking mtx and humira.
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
A big welcome from me.
This is an excellent site for information, advice and friendship from people wo really do understand
what we all going through. MTX is a great drug which loads of people with RA do really well on.
I am Rose 58 from Somerset diagnosed 2008, faild on mtx, luflumide, and TNF Humira and just had
RTX which I have been told I will not be having again.
Keep posting
Rose
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,689 Location: Durham
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Hello Maya,and a warm welcome to the forum, though I`m sorry you have RA. There is lots of info, advice and empathy on here, so do keep posting and we`ll do our best to help if you need us. I`m Kathleen, diagnosed 6 years ago, and I`m 61. I`m currently taking humira. Take care, Kathleen x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/25/2010 Posts: 1,289 Location: Buckinghamshire
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hi Maya,
and a welcome from me too.
yes unfortunately it's a long waiting game to see if a drug is going to work for you .. something i have learned.
hope Methotrexate works well for you,
i'm on a combination of Methotrexate 10mg, Hydroxy and now Humira since last August.
do keep posting and let us know how you are getting on,
Suzanne
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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/12/2012
Posts: 3
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Thank you for All your replies and for the warm welcome.
I will let you know how i'm getting on with the meth.
Most of you seem to be on a combination of medicine rather just the one, I gather this will come in time for me too.
Hi Zena - Hypothyroidism is an underactive thyroid and which I have to take thyroxine for.
I hope I feel better soon too!!
Maya
xxx
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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/12/2012
Posts: 3
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Thank you for All your replies and for the warm welcome.
I will let you know how i'm getting on with the meth.
Most of you seem to be on a combination of medicine rather just the one, I gather this will come in time for me too.
Hi Zena - Hypothyroidism is an underactive thyroid and which I have to take thyroxine for.
I hope I feel better soon too!!
Maya
xxx
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/14/2012
Posts: 46
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Hi Maya!
I'm Kim, 49 diagnosed with RA about 6 months ago. Been on and off steroids and am currently taking mtx, hydroxy and recently added sulfalazine to the mix! Still trying to find the right combination but it will come. NRAS has been extremely helpful to me. You know what they say - knowledge is power! Support group meetings also help you not feel so alone. I hope your meds kick in soon and that you get some relief. Nice to meet you!
Kim.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/2/2012 Posts: 670 Location: where the sun always shines :o
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Hiya Maya! Read your story. I have ra, diagnosed 5 years ago shortly after being a mummy! Bolt out of the blue, happy to be a mum and a shock being told I have ra, I was 34 years old. I have just joined nras, I just turned 40 - I guess I am accepting in my own time and way the new me..... I'm lucky, I work, make the most of the day. Love to go camping in our motorhome. I'm on thyroxine (had thyroid op when I was 21 yrs old). I'm on waiting list for feet operation, any post op advice would be welcome. Glad I joined nras, not alone :-)
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