Hi, I've just joined so I'd like to introduce myself .
I live in Edinburgh with my husband and 2 year old twins. I was diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis in 2007. I was on sulfasalazone after diagnosis and very well until just after the babies were born, when the sulfasalazine stopped working and I switched to methotrexate. Methotrexate hasn't worked as well, but I'm coping - working 3 days a week and at home with the toddlers for the other 2 (work is a break! ).
Looking forward to getting to know you all .

Hi again Katy - you've got your hands full with 2 year old twins - my oh my! no wonder you go to work for a rest - hahah!

Sorry to hear that your MTX isn't working as well as your suphasalazine did - your body must have been through a lot of changes in the past couple of years, so hopefully things will settle down for you as time goes by. Hang on in there - you sound like you have a good attitude and that always helps!

I love Edinburgh - my hubby and I went there for 4 days in 2009 - had a lovely time. By coincidence I'm currently wearing a scarf I bought in the Royal Mile - very pretty. They were digging up roads putting in a new tram system, which was causing lots of local anger - is that all finished now? Is it any better?

I'm 55 and have 4 teenage children - 1 is off at uni and 1 is on gap year travels, plus 2 still at school (13 and 15). I was diagnosed with RA in May 2012, and at that time I was very poorly - fortunately MTX has worked well for me, plus I take HDX, and painkillers. In fact I'm so must better that I've gone back into employment - 3 days a week - and I love it! But I have to be totally organised all the time - not something that comes naturally to me because I always prefer to leave everything until the last minute and simply rush around more! But now with RA I can't do that, because I have to pace myself - so I consider that RA has helped me to get better organised and I feel very pleased when my plans come together.

I expect you know all about having to be organised juggling 2 toddlers and a job, plus RA! Good luck with everything, and remember that you need quality time for you too. It's something that everybody needs, but it's even more important with RA'ers, because otherwise the fatigue gets out of control.

Wishing you all the best - keep posting - Sylvia xx

Thank you for your kind words. You're both right Edinburgh is a gorgeous city - I've been here so long (13 years) that I forget sometimes, but when I first moved here it used to take my breath away. Unfortunately the trams still aren't finished (bit of a sore point...lol). I just wish it wasn't so far away from family. My family live near Birmingham and my husband's family are in Germany, we miss having them nearby.

I'm lucky that my arthritis isn't too bad at the moment, reading some of the posts here has reminded me what it was like before I started treatment and I'm so glad it's not like that any more, but it's still not right. The pains are bearable with painkillers (mostly knees, feet & wrists) but the fatigue gets me down and for the last few months I've had a pretty constant mild fever, sore throat & runny nose. I don't know whether it's the arthritis or that I just keep getting viruses from the kids (they are at nursery, so catch everything!).
I'm due to see the rheumatologist next week, so am waiting to see if she's going to change my medication. I'm feeling rather nervous about the appointment - I only see her every 10 months or so (although could phone up for an appointment in an emergency).

Hi Katy - good luck with the rheumy appt - I'm a bit the same as you atm- feeling OK but could be better.

My RA is masses better then it was before, but pain is creeping up on me and I need to see the specialist nurses for a med tweak. My GP rang me yesterday to say that my bloods show I'm a bit anaemic - I'm only feeling a little bit tired but I guess I'd better get it back under control before it gets worse. I find that this constant balancing act is quite tedious - I miss the days when I could just take my health for granted - knowing that my body would never let me down! At least I still have my mind and a good sense of humour!!

Anyway - enjoy your day and have you made a list of everything you need to ask your rheumy? Best wishes - Sylvia xx

Hello Katy

Pleased you've joined us, just sorry that you have RA.

We are a friendly lot on here, lots of support and advice when needed and always people to talk to when you are having a bad time because we all understand what it is and how it is.

Keep posting!!!!

Take Care

Paula x

hi Katy,just a quick welcome.
My, you must be so busy with twin boys and coping with all that ra throws at you. I hope that you will get it better controlled soon, there are so many diff treatments on offer now.
My 2 girls are all grown up now but nothing pleases me more than spending time with my 6 grandchildren! They are a delight.
Looking forward to reading your posts,
Zena x

Hi Katy - I feel for you with the tiredness and everything. It is very tough! Hopefully things will get better, but perhaps if you keep a diary of your symptoms that will help to see how things develop.

Another thought is to look carefully at your diet - I tried losing a bit of weight with Slimming World, and cutting back on the fatty food and eating loads more fruit and veg really did perk me up. It didn't solve all my fatigue issues because obviously the RA causes a lot of that, plus in your case 2 toddlers is bound to make you tired!!!! But eating really well can help you lose weight even if you don't have time or energy for much exercise these days. I still go to Slimming World and there are lots of young mums who come along with their babies and it's social as well as useful to lose that bit of post-baby-weight!

All best wishes - Sylvia xx