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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/31/2010
Posts: 6
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Hi everyone
I am new to the forum and just finding my way around but am very impressed with the help and support that is on offer and wish I had joined when I was first diagnosed nearly four years ago - when I turned 40!
I have sero negative inflammatory arthritis and have tried several drugs (sulphasalasine, methotrexate, tacrolimus and Humira) all of which have not worked - I have suffered with raised liver enzymes resulting in a change of drugs each time it goes haywire! I started Enbrel 4 weeks ago and for once I have been mobile and have not had to take any painkillers (I usually take co-codomol, ibuprofen & omeprazole) for over a week (not sure if it can work that quickly!)
I am also taking a reducing dose of prednisolone again - I have been on it now since September (too long) but it seems to be the only thing that stops my raised liver enzymes and keeps me mobile and the doctors did not know what to do with me last year as I was so bad - was even in a wheelchair for a while! I am now on DLA!
I am married and have 12 year old twins and work full time as a Solicitor - It gets me down quite a lot (as I am sure it does for all you guys) as I realise that I cannot do the things I used to and stress can make my illness worse so I try to chill as much as I can!
I also find it very difficult when I try to explain why I cannot use my hands or feet due to the intense pain and as soon as I tell people I have RA they just think "oh that is just something old people get" no one really appreciates the extent of the illness and I get fed up trying to explain it!
It is so nice to read all your posts and realise that I am not alone
I just hope that when the steroids stop the Enbrel will continue to work on its own and I won't go down hill again - I don't think I could cope with being bedridden again!!
Sue
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 2,237 Location: nr Southampton
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Hello and WELCOME!
I am Jenni. 34 and have 3 children 14, 12 and 2. Also a husband and a cat and a mortgage! Guess that means I should be grown up..............!
I have been on a long list too but did the best I have done on the drugs on the Enbrel. I had nearly 3 good yrs on it.
i do hope it goes well for you.
When you get chance look at the spoon theory here spoon theory it is a little "American" but really helpful when explaining it isnt old ladies with a dodgey hip
Pleased you like the forum, I have met many good friends over the yrs through this site.
Love
Jenni xhow to be a velvet bulldoser
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 1,524 Location: W. Yorkshire
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Hi Sue and a warm welcome to our merry band of RAers! The way you are feeling is normal and something we can all relate to. I'm on Humira and methotrexate at the moment after a bit of a blip a few months ago so I'm waiting to see how it goes. I'm 58 and work part time in two schools as a Support Assistant and a Before School Club person. You sound to have the right attitude to tame this thing and make it 'get under' as i hope it will for you on Enbrel. Watch out for the mad ones on here (it will soon become apparent who they are  YES I'VE CHANGED, PAIN DOES THAT TO PEOPLE.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/6/2009 Posts: 84 Location: Northern Ireland
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Hi Sue Welcome to the forum. I started Enbrel 10 months ago and it has been great, I take it along with Imuran and Hydroxychloroquine. Hope it does the trick for you too. Joy
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 11/28/2009 Posts: 238 Location: North London
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Hello Sue, welcome. I've heard of folk responding this quickly to Enbrel, hope it's so for you too best, franky
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,157 Location: Huddersfield
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Hi Sue,
Welcome to the forum, where we all know exactly what you are going through!
You'll get lots of friendly support and advice on here.
I'm so glad the Enbrel is working for you, it does work quickly on some people.
I'm 60, have had RA for 9 years and am now on mtx and Humira.
Looking forward to getting to know you.
Doreen xx
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/7/2009
Posts: 235
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Hi Sue and welcome to the forum. It is hard to explain to people how it affects us, as they dont understand. I hope the enbrel carries on working for you.
Take care
Deb x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,006 Location: Timperley
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Hi Sue
Welcome to the forum!
So pleased you have at long last found a drug which works for you. Lots of people experience dramatic improvement after a very short time on Enbrel.
I'm 65 and have had RA for several years and am currently on mtx and hydroxychlorquine, which seems to be controlling things fairly well.
Looking forward to getting to know you.
Take care
Love Jeanxx
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/27/2010
Posts: 75
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HI Sue and welcome.
I'm Claire, i'm 34 and was diagnosed in 2008. I've failed sulphasalazine and hydroxychloroquine and am now on oral prednisolone as we're trying to concieve. People can be very ignorant and it's not always the general public (as we can read in my post in steam room re my trip to A&E this weekend!!)
Im sure you will find lots of support and very good advice on here.
Clairexx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,689 Location: Durham
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Hello Sue, and welcome to the forum. I hope the enbrel works well for you - humira began to work pretty quickly for me. Kathleen x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/7/2010 Posts: 441 Location: Bristol
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Hi Sue,
Welcome!
I have two children myself and I know how very difficult it is to balance home, work and rest. You'll find loads of support and help here to cover all aspects of life with arthritis. Hope you finally get on with your drug combo and long may the improved mobility continue!!
Regards,
Joanna
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 872
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Hello Sue, Welcome to the forum but very sorry you have RA, I'm Liz ~ with two girls Sophie and Jess and hubby Paul & .......nearly 40  in May.... but I'm a twin so at least not on my own with that one! Like you, im sero negative but have been fortunate to have positive response from sulphasalazine treatment Im really glad you have found us - it can be a lonely time without support from like minded people and thats where the forum is such a godsend. I joined at the end of last year ~ diagnosed 1998 and just cant quite understand why i didnt join earlier, its amazing! Looking forward to getting to know you and getting through the good, bad and the downright ugly times together xxx Take care lots of love Liz xxxxx
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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/31/2010
Posts: 6
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Thank you so much for all your warm welcomes! It is so nice to know that there are people out there who understand this horrible illness! I am loooking forward to getting to know you all Sue x 
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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/1/2010
Posts: 6
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Hi Sue
Nice to meet you, there is lots of help and support on this site and it's a good feeling to be among people who understand
Take care
Moira xx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 561
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Hi Sue welcome to the forum, im Sophie 35 years old i have a four year old son and have had RA for 14 years was dx with Lupus 6 years ago , i only found the forum last August but absolutely love it , hope you get some relief with the Enbrel
Sophie x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 312 Location: Surrey
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Hi Sue!  I can see you!  A friend is someone who knows all about you but loves you anyway!
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,740
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Hi welcome glad u like site,its new one very good. im married no kids 2 cats 38 sero negative ra diagnosed after years said inflammtory arthritis. now got sero negative inflammtory arthritis undergoing test for hughes syndrome and sytemic lupus amongst other gyane bits,long story other bits.im on methotrexate,planequil omprezole,folic acid,co codamol,amitripline for fibromyalgia. nice meet u. oops sorry font size so small i dont know how change it yet lol lv melly cuddly cats make my world seem so much more fun
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/7/2009 Posts: 96 Location: Buckinghamshire
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Hi Sue,
Welcome to the forum. I'm 33 and was diagnosed sero positive just over a year ago - so far I'm manging quite well on 20mg MTX and Prednisolone, although I am trying to reduce the prednisolone! I have 2 children, one aged 4 and the other is 16 months. I work part time in London for a very large, very wonderfully supportive firm. (I am very lucky!)
I hope you find this forum as useful as I have!
J x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,081
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Hi Sue, I'm 46 today! Diagnosed just over 3 years ago. Have partner and son who is 8 years old, still working for the Home Office - part time due to childcare arrangements. Have found the people on this forum absolute life savers.
Julie
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009
Posts: 854
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Hello Sue and welcome to the forum. I am so sorry that you have the dratted RA but glad that you have found the forum. I am sure that you will find it supportive. The fact of knowing that there are others in the same boat who really do understand what it feels like to fall overboard at times, is so reassuring.
Eleanor x
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