Hi,

My name is Natalie, I am 32 and from Jersey in the channel Islands.

I was diagnosed with RA in April although my symptoms started over 2 years ago, I think after my second son was born. Anways I have 2 boys 8 and 2 and wonderful supportive partner and family.

I have found despite so much support around me I have never felt so alone.............. I am struggling to accept my life with RA and I am currently off work due to it not being under control.

I am on methotrexate 12.5mg, prednisolone 20mg a day, tramadol 2x a day, fluoxetine 20mg, folic acid5mg and paracetamol oh and domperidone for the nausea!

I look forward to meeting some new friends and having a chat.

Love
Natalie xx

Hiya Natalie

I understand what you mean because non ra people truly understand, you are not alone because so many people on the forum flit in and out when they can offering different experiences but the same support.

Also please use the telephone NRAS helpline, rheumatology/nurses/consultant. The NRAS website is a good font of material relating to ra matters. I have arthritis for dummies book from amazon which I also have as reference.

I was diagnosed after I had my daughter when I was 34 years old, 7 years later I am adapting well ad on anti tnf injections every week now. 1 bunion op last June, knee replacement February this ar.

I can talk yo my hubby and rheumy people fine, but people I work with I keep to myself as I am a very private person (except on NRAS)

Going trough adoption procedure - waiting for an assessment. I like to think ra has taught me to be flexible with life and adapt.

Welcome Natalie x
Big hug
Jane
Xxx

Thank you for all your lovely replies, and warm welcome. It is nice to be around so many supportive people all sharing the same struggle xxx

Hi Suzanne,

Thank you for your post and support.

I had an appointment with the nurse today and she wants to get the ball rolling on anti TNF's! She did advise it would be a long road for approval but she felt I would be a good candidate and is going to speak to my rheumy for me. I am scared but also relieved in a way. I know its very early days for me but everyday I feel like this is taking away my spirit so much.

I also had a visit from an OT today and she was amazing really listened to my problems with walking and showering etc and she is going to put in a report to the housing department here as I live in a top floor flat with no lift !!

I feel like I am being very well listened too regarding all the problems I am having and having positive experiences with my medical team long may it continue.

its nice to come on here and read the many different experiences and although I am new here it feels as though I am around friends.

Lots of hugs
Natalie xxx

Hi ya Natalie

I'm Jenni
Bit of a live wire and currently contained in Hampshire ;)
Lol
Really I'm 37 with a long suffering husband
And 3 delicious young ones
Well
The older 2 we adopted over 10 years ago now
Then we have had a birth child who is 5.
I should say 5 AND A HALF because bernice likes to correct me on this point often ;)


It's a bloody awful disease
Sorry you have to have it
But I know that when I was first diagnosed at 20 I would have loved a group of like minded people to ask stuff to

Like what it's really like flunking a drug
Feeling hungry on the steroids even though you're full

Balancing your activity and stress levels to cope

That sort of thing
And that's a good thing on here

I'm also on Facebook
I'm Jenni B-l on there and a member of Nras
So come along and friend me

I've got severe ra, I recognise most do well on the drugs and have successful management of their disease

Thankfully the RA isn't the most interesting thing about me... :)

Post more please- we had our honeymoon on jersey and my 30th
Stayed in the lovely eular hotel x

Hi all,

Lovely to hear from you guys and thank you for telling me so much about yourselves I will definatley be on here posting more!! x

Suzanne I am not sure if the system is different here as I was quite shocked that they were discussing it at such an early stage but the rheumatology nurse seems to think I would be a good candidate and I think she said that it is just Methotrexate which I would have to have failed but we will see and I will keep you posted about what happens.

Take care
Love
Natalie xxx

Hi Natalie,

I know how hard adjusting can be, especially with your children to care for, and I just wanted to say welcome, and that you are not alone.

Louisa x

Hi Natalie

Welcome to the forum and good to see that you have already gained the support you need following your recent diagnosis.

This forum has been a life line to me from the day I was diagnosed three years ago. At that time I was frightened and bewildered but also relieved they had found a proper diagnosis for what I was going through and I was not going mad.

My RA team have also been very active in my treatment. Since diagnosis I have been through two anti-tnf's (Humira and Enbrel), in-hospital infusion of Rituximab, all of which I had disastrous allergic reactions to. They now have me on a relatively new anti-tnf which is Simponi and I have had no allergic reaction. It is working but unfortunately only takes the edge off but I am grateful for this.

There will be many questions which will pop into your head over the coming months and someone on here will be able to help you. They can also be quite a laugh at times as well so keep posting and once again welcome to the mad house of RA (only very special people are allowed to join )

Jackie
x

Hi Natalie

Welcome

Sophie x

Hello Natalie,

Welcome

Glad you've found us on here, just a pity we all have this inconsiderate disease in common.

Hope you get your ra under better control soon.

It can take some time to get sorted, but you will get there in the end, stay possitive.

Best wishes, Zena xx