Decided to join last week and an attempting a first post. Not quite sure what to add other than was diagnosed with RA in May 2008. I seem to have been lucky in that I've gone through the gambit of various pain killers, steroids, methrotrexate, sulphsalazine, humira and enbral quite quickly. Am booked in to have first ritiximab at end of Feb, so although a little nervous about this day, am looking forward to trying something that might help. Sorry can't find the spell checker on this. It looks like the forums with be really helpful.

Hi Mary,
Thank you for the warm welcome, especially at the late hour, I am usually sane but do have my moments of insanity and rage when I can't walk. the RA mainly affects my knees, feet shoulders and wrists, oh and once when at the dentist I couldn't open my jaw enough for him to see my teeth! My fingers and thumb joints have their off days. But as I say reading some of the posts where folk have had to wait ages for treaments or can't tolerate the drugs I seem to have been fairly lucky.
Sorry to hear you have MS alongside the RA that can't be very nice.
Thanks again for replying
Best wishes
Sheila

Hello Sheila, welcome. Oh don't get me started on jaw pain! Ew I sympathise! I'm amazed at the range of drugs you've tried so far, the humiora and enbrel didn't suit? Or didn't work? Anyway, nice to meet you and speak to you more soon, xfx

Hi Sheila!

Welcome!!

I'm 39, two kids (6 and 10) and have had RA for six years now.

I've just started Rituximab and had my first infusion last Monday ... got the second one on the 15th.

Hope you have success with it ... all the findings seem to show it works ... fingers crossed!

Joanna

Hi and welcome Sheila - hope you find the forum and useful as I do. It's so helpful to have the support of all these lovely people. I was diagnosed 3 years ago - on 3rd DMARD. Work part time and have a partner and 8 yr old son to "look afer me" LOL. Look forward to chatting.

Julie

Hi Sheila, welcome!!! sorry you have had so much problem with the drugs, you seem to have gone through the lot!! Good luck with the infusions. I hope your MS is not too bad, and that you are doing ok. Oh,by the way, I am Barbara, married to Roy have 2 sons and 2 daughters, both girls at home, youngest is 16 now. Have been diagnosed since July 2009. Still trying to get something that works lol.

It has to be a big grin for all your wonderful messages of welcome, where else would you get a welcome like that and all from folk who understand what its like. Thank you so much its great to know there is real support out there. I've been reading some of the other forums over the weekend and have found out so much, like what to expect for the upcoming rituximab. I won't feel so worried now if I feel a bit rough after the first infusion.
By the way , a little about me - am in my fifties, no children, but live with a really supportive partner who is great at adpating things like wood turning me some new really thick saucepan handles that I can get more or a grip on (think he did so he didn't have to cook every day)and putting the sofa on blocks of wood so that I can get off it without throwing myself so far forward I land on the floor, etc etc.
I gave up the day job two and a bit years ago to go back to college and do something creative. It was a few months after that that the joints started to play up and then the diagnosis of RA . I often wonder whether it was something to do with no more stress after leaving work that cracked open the RA door? Who knows, nothing I can do to change that now, so no point in really speculating.
As to the drugs - no I didn't have any problems with the Humira or Enbrel its just that they didn't work and I had to continue with prednisolne all the time. However having been off enbral now for 6 weeks I think it did help a bit, hence being eager to start the rituximab.
Am off to ask a few questions about anemia now on another forum.
Thanks again everyone for your support.
Sheila

Dear Sheila,

I have just replied to your thread re anemia...Welcome to the forum!

Wow, your partner sounds talented! Lucky lady!

I cannot admit my hubby could re-design my (far too heavy) saucepans but he is perfect in every other way! LOL

I have had RA since a child and am now married to my lovely Mark and we have five children..

Love,

Amanda

Hi Sheila and welcome

I'm one of the slightly saner people on here - just watch out for that Mary Lewis - she really is barking!!

I'm 65 and 3/4, married to the wonderful Steve, one daughter, lovely son in law and two gorgeous grandchildren.

Look forward to getting to know you through the forum.

Lots of love
Jeanxxxxx

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Eleanor x