Hi, my name is Seonaid and I was diagnosed with RA in November last year. It's my 40th birthday on Tues but I feel about 80 right now. I have just finished a degree in childhood studies 2 weeks ago but I think that's been keeping me so busy that I haven't dwelled too much on having RA. I now feel miserable and very down, so sore and tired all the time. I am on sulfasalazine, which has reduced the swelling but not the pain. I don't see the specialist again until August so I'll just have to wait till I can change medication. I have two children and a long suffering husband who is very supportive. Sometimes you just need to talk with someone else who has RA and can fully understand how you feel, and that is why I joined nras. I'll hopefully be a bit more upbeat in my next posting. Over and Out.

Hi Seonaid,

Welcome, I'm a newbee only joined last week, and Doreen is so right you will never be alone again, this forum has helped me so much with advice, I was only diagnosed four weeks ago, I really cheered up just being able to communicate with people who know what you are going through, as most people think RA is just something older people get, a few aches and pains here and there, I know I did. Well I certainly know different now !! I am 50 years old with two teenage boys and a foster carer, also work lunchtimes in a special school. If you want to be upbeat in your next posting be upbeat, if you want to moan, moan, the people on this site really don't mind. Anne x.

Hi Seonaid welcome, sorry you have Ra , im Sophie 35 have 1 son whose 5 , agree with every one get some pain killers that will help a lot .

Sophie x

Hi Seonaid, welcome to the forum. Sorry I am late with the welcome, I can only get on here in the evenings. I agree with everyone, you need to either get an earlier appt or see your gp for pain meds. You shouldnt have to be in pain until August. Anyway, I am Barbara diagnosed last July, and on triple therapy (mtx hydroxy and sulfa) married to Roy with 2 adult sons, 1 adult daughter and a 17yr old daughter doing A levels. I work full time as a nanny/childminder to 3 children under 2 years. Everyone here has lots of knowledge and will give you lots of support, keep posting, even if you feel a bit down, we are here for you. Take care x x

Hi Seonaid

Welcome to our group, and sorry to hear not too good at the moment. Like you was diagnosed, eventually, last November. Due to xmas they wouldn t start treatment til January. In early Feb I went on Leflunomide, hydroxy, diclo, and now on 2.5mg on steroid. I asked on here couple weeks ago about taking painkillers because I wasn t give any proper advice for GP etc.Thanks to all the helpful advice on here I now regularly take co codamol 30/500 at the moment only just before I go to bed as that seems to do the tick, but a did have a steroid injection last week so that has no doubt helped reduce the pain.

Keep us posted, and hope you feel a little better very soon.

Julia xx

Hi Seonaid,

A very warm welcome to the forum, though I`m sorry you have RA. It seems a long time to have to wait until August - do you have a rheumatology nurse? If so, try phoning her for some help. If not, your GP can give you stronger painkillers, and perhaps a stomach protector too, if you are taking diclofenac.

I`m Kathleen, 60 this year, married to Nick, with two sons & two lovely grandsons.

Do keep posting,

Kathleen x

Welcome Seonaid, (what a lovely name) I'm Julie, 58, married with two grown up children and two granddaughters and a greyhound!
Currently on Humira and MTX.
THE best thing about posting on here is that everyone understands and we only have to say 'ouch' and it needs nothing more!

Hi Seonaid

Welcome to the forum, the 'in place' to be to meet like minded folk with a like minded problem - RA! You will always find someone around to share concerns or when you need a shoulder to cry on so do keep in touch. I look forward to getting to know you better.

I am Lyn, married to Mike with four children in various stages of education (although I think one is about to change her mind ... again!). We live in Lancashire. I was diagnosed with sero-negative RA 22 years ago after the birth of my first child. Since then I feel as though I have run the gamut of medications and a number of surgical procedures. I am currently on Enbrel, Prednisolone, Naproxen and a few other bits and pieces to keep things ticking over. Have just been taken off methotrexate (wiped out my neutrophil count) so waiting to see what happens next!!

Others have said how important it is to get suitable pain relief. I have to agree and especially as you are feeling a bit down in the dumps. It's likely you won't be sleeping well if you are in pain (altho' you might think you are!) and that being the case you won't be starting the day refreshed. Very quickly you will tire and then the RA fatigue will set in and then .... Well, let's not go that route! You do need to get a review of the painkillers via your GP initially. Once the pain is dealt with you will be in a much better position to cope with everything else. Living with chronic pain does take its toll on your whole body systems. You perhaps need something like cocodamol 30/500 for the day and perhaps something a bit stronger at bedtime.

Definitely follow this up soon. You will be in a much worse position come August if you aren't on the correct treatment now!
Look after yourself. Speak soon,

Lyn x

Hi and welcome

I am another newbie to the site but not to RA! Ihave found everybody on this site to be hugely supportive and knowledgeable.

In total agreement with everyone else that you should not wait until August to have your pain relief reviewed. There are things that can help until the RA is under control but you need to ask otherwise nothing will be offered.

Love

Katharine

x

Hi Seonaid,

Welcome to the forum and wonderful bunch of people!

I've just turned 40 myself and have had RA for seven years now. I've got a daughter of ten and a son aged six.

Looking forward to get to know you better

Joanna