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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/31/2012
Posts: 1
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Hi I'm Matt, i'm 32 and was diagnosed with RA last October. Still a little bit shell shocked, and finding the meds tough going. My amazing RA nurse sent me in this direction! So hello all 
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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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 Hi Matt Welcome to the nras forum, sorry it had to be in these circumstances. Are you struggling with being diagnosed/medication? My experience, I was shocked when I was diagnosed in 2007 after I had a baby......it was a strange time being a new mum and ra I was 34yrs old. Now I'm 40yrs old, in a middle of a flare.....but life goes on! I joined nras forum a few months ago for support/gaining more info from people with experience and a chat! Your nurse thought well to direct you here! I'm sure the lovely forum guys will say hello to you soon! Are you on twitter? Take care Jane Xxx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/28/2012 Posts: 665 Location: Newton Abbot
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Hi Matt - nice to "meet" you but sorry that you've got RA. I was diagnosed back in May this year, having struggled for 3 years (apparently my symptoms were not typical so hence delay in diagnosis). It was a horrible shock and it was tough to adjust to having to take so many meds every day. But now it's been about 3 months for methotrexate and hydroxychloroquin and they are doing their job and I feel loads better. You sound like you've got a good RA nurse - they are really worth their weight in gold - especially at the beginning when there is so much to take in and adjustments to make. You'll find there is loads of experience on this forum - newcomers and some who've lived with RA for many years. We all have some similar experiences but also our individual stories cover just about every situation, so if you have any questions just ask. What meds are you on? Let us know and we can offer first hand experience of what can help Best wishes - Sylvia Be kinder than is necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle
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Rank: Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 7/20/2012
Posts: 25
Location: Maidenhead
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Hi Matt - Sorry to hear you've got RA, I hope they find the right medication for you soon. I was diagnosed in March this year, a month before my 24th birthday! I had problems trying to get on any type of medication as my liver count was dangerously high, but we got to the bottom of that and I'm now on sulfasalazine, voltarol and paracetomol - I also have regular steroid injections. It's a big change to life and a lot to take in, especially having 2 small children..one being 3 years old and the other 9 months! I've found nras website and forum very helpful, there's some really nice people to help along the way. Natalie
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Rank: Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 7/28/2012
Posts: 27
Location: essex
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Hi Matt,
Sorry to hear you have RA, but i guess we wouldn't be meeting otherwise!
I'm jenny, 28, was diagnosed in May after being unwell since the christmas before.
That was kind of your nurse to point you in this direction, i came across this site after various googling marathons trying to understand more about the disease. Every one on here is so willing to listen to your problems and share advice. I've found it a god send! Not knowing anyone else with RA, and friends and family sympathising, it makes such a difference having people that understand what your going through.
Yes, the medication is fun isn't it! Seems its trial and error for us all. What are you currently on?
take care, jen
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 6/18/2010 Posts: 351 Location: Herne Bay Kent
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Hi Matt
A warm welcome to the forum where you will find lots of information and advice. So sorry that you have been diagnosed at such a young age.
I am so pleased that you have a good rheumy nurse they are invaluable for answering questions as are the NRAS helpline.
Look forward to hearing more from you.
Best Wishes
Sue
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/3/2011 Posts: 717 Location: Torbay
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Hi Matt. Yes, you will feel shell shocked and I think most of us felt like that for a while after diagnosis. There's a lot of information to take in and so much to get used to, not least the drugs that we have to take. Are you on Methotrexate tablets? Most people seem to be put on them at first and if you are finding that you are getting intolerable side effects then don't despair because many people find that these settle in time as the body adjusts to the drug. For me going onto the injections was a good solution and this got rid of the worst of the side effects.
You've done the right thing in joining NRAS and coming onto the forum. There is a lot of wisdom here born out of experience and people are happy to offer support and to answer any questions you have. I was diagnosed a year ago after becoming very ill in April 2011 and suffering more vague symptoms for a few years before that. Some of the things I've found helpful since getting RA are to rest as much as possible, to learn as much as I can about RA and to get good pain relief for when I need it.
So......ask away if you have any questions.....vent when you need to get things off your chest.......and remember there are people here who really understand what you're going through. Hugs, Naomi.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/7/2012 Posts: 149 Location: S E London
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Hi Matt,
Welcome to the forum, I was diagnosed in Feb this year, it takes a while for it all to sink in.
Hope you have a good reaction to the mess and things are controlled quickly.
Hope to hear more from you.
Mary
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/9/2010
Posts: 77
Location: Hampshire
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Hi Matt Welcome from me too. I'm 47 and was diagnosed in September 2010. I have found this forum to be very friendly and informative. Debs
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,689 Location: Durham
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Hi Matt, and a warm welcome to the forum. I think we can all understand how shell-shocked you must be feeling right now. It`s a lot to take in, but I can assure you things will seem brighter when you get the drug which works for you - there are lots of them out there, but it is sometimes a slow and frustrating process waiting for them to kick in. I was diagnosed almost seven years ago now, and am currently on adalimumab (humira ). Take care, Kathleen C.
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/4/2012
Posts: 30
Location: West Yorkshire
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Hello Matt
My names Donna, I'm 39 and was diagnosed in November last year. I am still going through the trial and error situation regarding the right medication. I take numerous tablets every day now and was started on humira in May, however it hasn't worked so I am currently awaiting some new treatment. Its been a pretty traumatic 9 months however I have found this forum to be invaluable. Everybody is in the same boat so to speak so there is always somebody who either has or is experiencing similar things to you.
Hope you start to feel better soon
donna
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/25/2010 Posts: 1,289 Location: Buckinghamshire
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hi Matt,
welcome aboard.
so sorry to hear you've been diagnosed at such a young age, i was 56 and took it very badly losing half a stone with stress in the first week.
the first thing i learnt was that each new drug takes time to work ( once i plucked up the courage to take them!! )
you don't say what meds you are currently on?
i take 10mg Methotrexate, Hydroxy and added Humira a year ago which works quite well for me, took a while to get there.
hope you find the forum useful, there is always someone here who will try and help.
Suzanne
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 2,237 Location: nr Southampton
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Hi matt, I'm Jenni and I'm 36 I've had ra since I was 21 There's a lot of life to be lead I've got married and adopted 2 children and had a baby for a start! Got severe disease though I'm afraid But for most the drugs work well The mtx Is the fold standard drug now. Welcome again Jenni how to be a velvet bulldoser
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Rank: Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/20/2012
Posts: 23
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Hi there Matt, Like you I am still struggling with meds. I was diagnosed April last year and felt like my whole world had collapsed! I joined NRAS last month to try to get some help and support from people who understand and who will listen to my moans  . It's the best thing I did and at last feel able to talk about how I feel . Family and friends are great but as much as they try they have no idea of how life changing this illness is so take care and hope to hear from you soon. Julie Boo xxxx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/19/2009 Posts: 182 Location: kilwinning north ayrshire
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hi matt im glad you have found us, RA is very hard to come to terms with and you just a young man, i was dignosed 5 years now and i found it took me a long while to understand the pain and flare ups but once you get your meds sorted im sure you will cope, sometime it takes a while for meds to kick in. i am on sulfazine also pain killers when needed , please keep us updated with your progress and ask questions of us im sure you will find answers on here take care xxx sylvia
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