Hi Everyone

I am new to this website, not sure how to use this support group.....I was in denial for a long time and has taken me almost over a year to come to terms with RA, I suffer with chronic RA.

I take methotrexate, steroids, morphine and nothing seems to work, however, my consultant is looking to start biologic treatment in 3 months time.

It is difficult as I had to leave a job I are joyed doing, stops me from continuing with housework and socialising with my friends. I do feel left out and isolated from everyone.

I look forward to knowing you all and hope this will help me see my health problem in a diffrent way.

Bye everyone

Hello, BIG welcome

As Fiona suggested, read through old posts - ask questions/fears/share ups & downs with us.
Please don't let ra stress you out

Sorry you left your job, use this tie for you and to feel better.

I've had ra for 6 years, I've had bunion op last year and total knee replacement this year.

Ra treats us differently, our paths take us on slightly different treks but our journeys however are the same!

Have a look at blogs at the bottom of the screen - a few of us have done blogs regarding anti tnf's ( I'm using enbrel which is weekly epi pen application.

Nice again welcome and sense of humour a must!
Jane
Xxx

Hi Ash,
Welcome from me, sorry you are having a hard time of it at the moment, but try not to feel too despondent. The effects of ra can be very disabling and a great shock.
It can take a very long time to get the right drugs to suit you.
It seemed to take for ever for me to get sorted, and there were many days when I thought I would never get relief, but I got there in the end.
Abatacept has been magic for me, my 2nd biologic, but we are all so different in our response to these drugs. so its all trial and error unfortunately.
Keep posting everyone on here knows how you are feeling and want to support and help if they can.
Zena xx

Hi Ash

Welcome to the forum but sorry that you suffer from the dreaded RA.

I think when we are all diagnosed you have to go through a grieving period for your old life. Nothing will never be the same again but you can have a life with RA it is just finding the right path for you and more importantly the right medication. You can seem to be in a long dark tunnel with no hope but one day you will see a chink of light and things will get a little easier.

It is a long tortuous road getting onto medication and unfortunately there is no quick path to be sorted but there are lots of medications out there for you to try and more importantly hope for all of us in the future (see my post under the Drugs heading - article in the Daily Express today).

I am fifty and was diagnosed three years ago but they think I have had it all my life with the joint damage I now have. Luckily I am still holding down my job but each day gets a little harder and most of my life is spent resting to get up the energy to attend work.

This forum has been a lifeline to me and whenever I have felt down or confused someone has always picked me up with encouragement and advice. Unfortunately RA is not going to go away for the time being so it is important that you get the help, advice and encouragement to get you through this. Someone on this forum will always be able to help and NRAS are brilliant if you need them.

Keep posting and we hope to get to know you better.

Jackie
xx