Hi Amanda,
Welcome to the forum. I'm glad you have discovered us. I'm Sue (58) and another teacher - there are a lot of us on here. I was only diagnosed last year and take mtx and hydroxy. You certainly seem to have had it tough. I don't think I could cope with classroom teaching any more. Fortunately I switched to special needs about 6 years ago. It is still hard work but I only have one or two children at a time and can sit down - makes all the difference.
Take care
Sue

Hello Amanda

A warm welcome to the forum, I am glad you have found us. I am 54 and have had RA since April 2009, I have been on leflunomide together with an array of other bits and pieces more recently on oral steroids to dampen down the inflammation as the meds have not worked for me.

I had my first infusion of infliximab on Tuesday which went very well, I have been feeling quite tired but other than that I am fine. I will keep you posted on how things go Amanda as I have two more treatments prior to xmas. I know all these meds work differently for us, however the nurse told me that this seems to be successful for many in her opinion.

Take care, Julia xx

hi Amanda,

welcome to the Forum and so sorry you were diagnosed at such a young age ... you've certainly been through it.

i'm 57 married with a grown up Daughter, diagnosed in June and currently on Methotrexate but go for review at the end of November as they've not brought it under control yet.

you will find lots of support and information here, i know i've found it invaluable.

keep us updated on how you are doing,

Suzanne x

Hi Amanda,

So glad you have found the forum, you wont ever be alone again. We have all been there, I'm Lorna I have had RA for 3 years. I am married to my husband Ken and we have three daughters, the youngest being 16. Sorry you have had this most of your life, it must have been awful at times for you. I was very ill at the start, it affected most of my joints and I was virtually bed ridden. But having been on the triple therapy I keep so much better now that is is well controlled. Its lovely to hear from you do keep posting. Lorna xx

Hi Amanda - good to meet you. I have been diagnosed since February this year and am currently waiting to start anti-TNF. good luck with your start on Infliximab.

So glad you have good employers. I teach English full time and it is a struggle a lot of the time, especially keeping up with the planning and marking at home. This week I'm chasing my tail catching up after being off last week with a chest infection.

I'm 50 (till Friday!) and mum of 5 (4 still at home) and only child to parents in their 80s. When I read of all your ops I realise how lucky I am. Looking forward to getting to know you better XX ailsa

I too was diagnosed at a young age, and am keen to get some advice on hip replacements!

Do you mind Laura-C if I ask how old you are?

I am yet to find someone who is close to my age facing a hip replacement. My surgeon told me the youngest he had operated on was 24, and although i'm not far off, it was still scary!

Francesca x

Hi Amanda

I was due to catch up with you at some point in the near future about infliximab as I had my third dose just before Christmas. I was having hot flushes prior to starting but I feel my temperature gauge now is all over the place and I sweat at the most minimal of activities - can only wear a t shirt doing my ironing as an example. I don t know where I am with it all at the moment, I know the RA isn t under control, as yet, and infact having a bit of a rough time with the level of pain and aching at the moment.

Hope the infliximab is working for you, how have you been since you started, have you noticed an improvement ?

Julia x

Hi Amanda

Welcome to the forum. A great place to be for support and information; lots of folk, lots of knowledge and a wealth of tried and tested experiences!

I'm Lyn, married to Mike, we have four children, Abby 23, Ian and Jake 17, and Louis 16. All four in various stages of education! We live in Thornton Cleveleys in north west Lancashire. I was diagnosed with sero-negative RA 22+ years ago and have since run the gamut of medication and had several surgical procedures along the way. Currently on Enbrel, Leflunomide, Prednisolone and Naproxen, Amitriptyline and a jolly assortment of pain killers! Struggling at the moment after knee surgery last summer, two lots of knee aspirations and joint injections in 7 weeks and a further referral to Orthopaedics. But heyho...



I was on Infliximab for about 12/13 months and it was a great success! Despite joint damage I still felt as though a miracle had passed my way and I was able to do things I hadn't done for years. Unfortunately my system became accustomed to the drug and over time it became ineffective and I was moved onto Enbrel. I do remember the hot spells with Infliximab, especially after the first few infusions. It didn't last long each time and would settle down until the next one. I seem to remember having to rest for 48 hours after each infusion though ... don't recall doing any vacuuming!!!

Hope you are responding well to the Infliximab. Keep posting!

Lyn x