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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/16/2014
Posts: 2
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Hi to everyone, I have finally been diagnosed with RA in December, after waiting for over 12 Months. Been prescribed methotrexate, but unable to start it has I have a viral infection. My hands and fingers are swollen and very painful, my knees are sore as are my feet and shoulders. I was given a steroid injection in December, but it doesn't seem to have worked as well as the previous one I had in my knee. I take 7.5 mg prednisolone for my lung condition and naproxen for the inflammation. I have a lot of other medical problems, including Fibromyalgia and Diabetes to name a few, also lots of medication.
Just waiting for the viral infection to go so that I can start on the MTX, which seems to come with its own problems.
Look forward to reading the messages and getting more tips on how to cope with this dreaded disease.
Janwhy
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/5/2010 Posts: 185 Location: Lowestoft, Suffolk
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Hi Janwhy Welcome to the NRAS Forum, sorry you have RA and those other ailments too that mean you wish to join us. It's taken a while for you to get diagnosed although unfortunately it isn't an unusual story. Similar to you I have RA (although in clinical remission) and Fibromyalgia. Whilst in remission I still get flare ups and always have sore hands and feet - it just fluctuates and travels. Never been on Methotrexate or Prednisilone but do take Naproxen and Hydroxychloroquine which keep 'me' under control. I know others on here have your mix of drugs. Hope your virus clears quickly and that Methotrexate helps. It is a great, supportive forum and there will be very wise words when you need them. We are allowed to whinge when things are hard and we like to share the good when it happens too. Look forward to your posts and wish you well. Angie Be yourself - everyone else is taken. XX
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/24/2013 Posts: 703 Location: Hexham
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Welcome Janwhy. It's always nice to greet a new member, although not so nice that you have to have a horrible thing like RA to qualify!  As Angie says, this is great place to get advice, let off steam and generally chit chat with people who really understand what you are going through. Paul Barrett
Hexham - Northumberland - Loads of spectacular walks - all I need now are the joints to go with them! :)
Enthesitis (2012)
Ulcerative Colitis (1990)
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,689 Location: Durham
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Hello Janwhy, and welcome to the forum, though I`m sorry you now have RA to contend with on top of other conditions. I was diagnosed eight years ago, and after trying and failing on several DMARDs I finally tried humira, a biologic, which made a considerable difference to my quality of life, especially mobility. There are drugs out there, it`s just a slow process finding the one that works. Having been on humira for over 6 years now it`s beginning to lose its efficiency, so I`m waiting to see what happens in Feb when I see my rheumy. Do keep posting, as we all try to help each other on here, in good times and bad. Take care, Kathleen x
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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/16/2014
Posts: 2
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Thank you all for your lovely welcome to the site, I will have a good look around the site reading the posts and hopefully have something to contribute myself in time to come.
Janwhy
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/25/2010 Posts: 1,289 Location: Buckinghamshire
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welcome Janwhy,
hope you can start on Methotrexate soon .. it's the gold standard drug most start on,
you do have to give it a good 12 weeks to see if it's working for you.
sorry to hear of your other problems as well,
keep posting and also read back old threads there's a lot of history on here.
Suzanne
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/29/2013 Posts: 106 Location: Surrey
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Hello there, I'm sorry you've been diagnosed with RA along with your other health problems. I was diagnosed about a year ago now and it also took about 12 months of tests and hospital appointments. Once your medication starts and is tweaked for you, you will start to improve. I too take MTX (self injections now) and hydroxchloquine, omeprazole, naproxen, prednisone, folic acid and leflunomide. I've gone from not being able to walk, get up from a chair, or climb the stairs to more or less having my mobility back  . Having a good medication team and support really helps and on this forum you will always find friendly help and advice or someone to just share your worries. Hope you feel better soon so you can start your full medication  Louise.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/8/2013 Posts: 144 Location: Dumfries
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Hi Jan
Hello and welcome although I am sorry you have been diagnosed with RA along with your other problems.
I've been on methotrexate for nearly a year now (can't believe a year has nearly passed) and the only issue I have with it is indigestion and nausea but I take folic acid 6 days out of 7.
YOu have had a long wait for diagnosis which is often the norm I have came to realise. I hope you do ok on the metho and please keep in touch and let us know how you are getting on.
Lisa x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/20/2010 Posts: 1,749 Location: Somerset
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A welcome from me as well I hope you feel better soon and able to start MTX very soon.
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/4/2010
Posts: 576
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Hi Janwhy - so sorry to hear you are struggling and not yet on the MTX. Hopefully it will make a big difference to how you feel. you have your hands full managing so many problems and meds. Hope you find lots of support on here. Sometimes knowing you can just let it all out on here is just what we need. look forward to getting to know you xx Ailsa
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