I am finding this so difficult. There is so much to adjust to. I was formally diagnosed with RA on 25th August 2011 and joined NRAS yesterday. I am struggling with so much at the moment. I have hardly slept at all for 5 nights now. I seem to have got the pain under control for the moment but the steroids, or the Tramadol....not sure which, are making my heartbeat race and making it impossible to sleep. I was sleeping really well before going on the steroids. It is my second course of oral prednisolone and the same effects occurred last time in May 2011. I feel speedy, shaky and keep breaking out in dreadful sweats. It's so unpleasant. I have gone part time at work but am really struggling to get through each day. I took 7 weeks off when I first became ill as I could barely move and am loathe to take more time off sick. I really want to be able to continue to work and am already under the sickness absence review process which I feel mortified about. I am due to go on methotrexate soon. I am quite nervous about this but believe it to be my best chance of fighting this illness.

I am so pleased to have joined NRAS. I have already learnt lots about RA and am so glad to have the opportunity to belong to the on-line community. I feel less isolated just from having read some of the entries on this forum.

Thank you Mandy. This forum is a godsend. On the one hand I feel so alone and completely bewildered by what has happened/is happening but the on-line community is a portal to lots of information and support. I am so glad to know that there are lots of people who can really relate to what I'm going through.

Hi Naomi,

I've just replied on your other post.
You will never feel alone again with RA now that you have joined us.
Keep posting and we'll help you get through it.

Love Doreen xx

Hi Naomi, a big welcome from me too. Im Heather diagnosed 2 years ago. Know exactly how you feel right now, totally bewildered and scared. there is always someone here to listen to you and advise, its such a help. As others have said once your medication is sorted and starts to "kick in" you will hopefully start to feel better and more in control of your life!

Take care and be kind to yourself.

Love Heather xxxx

Hello Naomi

I am so sorry you have been diagnosed with RA but you have found the right place to help you through it. In the first few weeks/months your mind (and body) will be all over the place. You have to come to terms with what you have been diagnosed with, wait for the various medications to start working and mourn for your old life. BUT there is life after diagnosis and it can be a good one.

Firstly, all the medications you are taking are alien and you will have to take time for adjustment. If you are taking Tramadol for the pain it can make you feel very spaced out and shaky until your body gets used it. This can take several weeks but persevere as it will be worth it in the end to have a good painkiller you can rely on.

Secondly, the one and only thing you need to think about is yourself at the moment. If necessary go off sick again but try and give your employer a copy of the NRAS Employer handbook which will tell them exactly what you are going through and what they can expect of you. If they are worth their salt they will give you more time off to enable you to get into a better position of health to continue working.

Thirdly, you need to think about everything you are doing. Anything which expends energy should be limited as much as possible each day. Rally your family (again there are booklets they can read). Your main priority is to rest as much as possible whilst you get this condition under control. You can potter but you have to be aware that if hanging out the washing is too much for you then it is a task which must be delegated.

I was diagnosed in January 2009 and the first year was an uphill battle. I started on Methotrexate and it took a good twelve weeks for it to kick in. I have been put on and failed several other medications but I am hoping this week to have some better news on where I go from here. I continue to work. I am office based, so my employers have been wonderful and now let me work from the office three days a week and two days at home. My family have rallied around and I can't remember the last time I cleaned the house (see there are some benefits from having RA). My Husband is now brilliant with the hoover and duster. All my energy goes into gaining the strength to continue working and doing a job I enjoy. I also find that if I work, I keep my mind off the pain. I try and keep my mind busy when at home. Instead of running around the town centre shopping like a lunatic each weekend, I now have lazy days and have taken up cardmaking.

So you see, there is life after RA diagnosis and you just need time now to find your right path and to let the Methotrexate and other medications start their magic.

Take care and once again welcome to the RA family.

Jackie
xx

Hi Naomi

I have just replied on your other thread but particularly wanted to post about the steroids as this does seem to be something of a concern for you at the moment.

I have been on different levels of oral steroids throughout the 23 years since being diagnosed. Recently I have experienced a particularly bad patch which required me to take a much higher dose of prednisolone than I would normally take. Granted there was much relief from the pain and swelling in my joints however the amount of steroid induced insomnia became utterly unbearable over time; the same symptoms you describe really. Unfortunately it is a trade off against the RA and for the time being you have to weigh up the sleepless nights against the improved RA. A difficult choice ... but we do all need adequate sleep!

It may be worth contacting the rheumatology dept to see if they would give you a depomedrone (steroid) injection. This avoids the need to take oral steroid and after the first few days tends not to affect sleep patterns. It is often given to patients to get them over difficult periods. Perhaps this may be an alternative for you.

My premise on this disease is to remain positive. It is a lifelong condition but it can be well controlled. In my book it is allowed to travel alongside me (I don't have a choice), but it remains in freight and not in first class with me. As long as I remain in charge it can't take control. It is hard ... but you will get there

Keep posting Naomi

Lyn x

PS As you can see from the time ... steroid induced insomnia

Hi Naomi

Sorry my welcome is so late in coming! Welcome to this marvellous forum where you will find support, encouragement and hopefully make loads of new friends.

I'm Jean, 69, married to Steve with one daughter and 2 great grandchildren (5 and 3) who keep us pretty busy.

RA is such a silly and unpredictable disease - one minute you feel fine and the next it all goes pear shaped! However, there is very definitely life after diagnosis! I am in a wheelchair most of the time but still have a great time and managed to do loads! I run the Bolton RA Support Group which keeps me busy and out of trouble and I have great friends and a very supportive family.

Looking forward to getting to know you

Love Jean xxx

Hi Naomi,

I'm Anne 51 married with two boys 19 and 21 and a foster boy aged 9. I was diagnosed in May 2010 and yes I was petrified at first, have never had a serious illness before so was very emotional and scared.

I found this site very quickly and it became my rock, all questions answered by people with alot of knowledge.

I can remember taking my first dose of MTX the day I was diagnosed and wondering what was going to happen to my body, but apart from suffering from slight nausea and tiredness for a few days that was it. It has been a wonder drug for me so far, apart from a few blips which I can cope with. Although I'm aware that there is the possibility that it won't continue, but then nothing in life is guaranteed.

Try and be positive and hopefully once the MTX gets a grip you will feel so much better. Honestly most days now I forget I have RA, unless it rears its ugly head to remind me.

Anne x

Sorry for the late welcome Naomi! But Hi from me here in West Yorkshire.