Hi, thanks for asking. I've just posted a reply to thank everyone for all the help and support you gave me. I was overwhelmed by everyone's loveliness and it was such a relief to know that i'm not going barmy!

I'm in a better place as far as getting my head around it goes but physically i'm still very rough. I've just been signed off for work for another 3 months and it's a great relief to be honest. It's the rest thing that I find hard! I have decided to give up one of my allotments and my son says he'll help me with the other one, so that feels good. As I can't play tennis at the moment or go out on my bike I've decided to try a yoga class and perhaps go swimming, although I'm a bit worried I won't be able to get out of the pool - now that would be awkward. Slowly I'm finding ways to do every day things, just in a different way.

Love Katie

Hydrotherapy sounds like it could be good, I'll ask if it's available when I see the rheumy in 3 weeks time. Your dancing sounds fun and I think it's good to find exercise that you enjoy. I keep seeing things I've done pre RA and feeling relieved that I did it then, like laying wooden floors in my house - I don't think I'll be doing that again, like all the travel I did. Thank goodness I have done so much with my life before this hit me. I know in most people the RA seems to get better once the drugs are working but at the moment I seem to be going backwards and everyday there seems to be something else that I can't do.

Hi Katie
It's good to hear from you. I'm glad you are getting your head around it all. It takes quite a while to adjust to some losses (like your other allotment) and to get used to a new pace of living. I think most people who manage their RA well have slowed down a bit. I have gone part time at work. Down to 3 days from 5. I do Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Perfect for me as I don't have to do 2 in a row. It's good that you've got a break from work to get yourself back on your feet. I was delighted when I was eventually able to return to work after an initial break but I did go back too soon. I know that when I was first ill I was unable to work. I was so bad that my partner even had to feed me food and drinks, and I couldn't even get up for the toilet without a lot of his help. So to be able to function at 80% of my normal capacity now is amazing and makes me very happy. At one point thought I'd never work again so I'm really pleased to be as well as I am. I hope things stay on an even keel for you. We are here to listen whenever you need to express things. Good luck, XXXX

Hi Katie
I'm jenni, I'm 36 now but was diagnosed at 21
I did aqua fit class when I was first diagnosed
Dancing sounds fun!

I've found hydrotherapy the very best
There's lots of lovely happy life ahead of you
Lots!
Just it's going to be different

Sending support
Jenni