New here and to RA

[jaclyn11305]

I am new here as I was just diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis my symptoms have been gong on for about 6 months I would wake up with swollen hands it first stated in one then both then I noticed both of my knees were real achy and my hips now my lower back has been giving me a lot of pain. Yesterday it was my shoulder for the first time. I have never been in so much pain in so many different joints. Yesterday I took a nap with my 1yr old and woke with blister type sore on bottom of my feet. I'm 34 mother of 2 I'm going to college full time I have 1 yr left and I'm wondering how I'm going to do it with so much pain. I still don't think it has hit me yet that this is not going Away. I'm scared. Please let me know the pain will get better do they have pain meds out there they put me on methotrexate once a day 15mg. Will this help?

[tselph]

That's what they started me on & then added leflunomide when the methotrexate wasn't working well. I was Dx last October. I still not happy with my results with my meds but after reading other posts & talking with other RA friends it's never ending but the severity differs. The meds are trial by fire, for me so far. Hang in there & God bless!

[jaclyn11305 in reply to tselph]

Thank you I hope we find something that kinda helps keep the pain from ruling our lives. I have been in pain before i was hit as a pedestrian I have metal rod in my leg but never this much pain and all over.

[Lisainbavaria]

I'm so sorry you are in such pain. My doc has me on plaquenil. Was also taking Mobic but that caused problems with my stomach. Methotrexate is the big guns. Sounds like you have it much more severe then I do. The plaquenil from what I understand, slows down the RA. My life saver has been, so far, no alcohol(that was a tough one for me since I like a few beers), no gluten and Pilates 3 times a week. Massages are also good, but I'm dealing with osteoarthritis as well as fibromyalgia. Luckily it's all working, but for which ailment I'm not sure. I did notice the RA is now in my ankles, but I'm refusing to believe it. I'll blame it on the cold temps here in Colorado. Best of luck.

[jaclyn11305 in reply to Lisainbavaria]

Thank you for the kind words sounds like you have the rainbow I'm sorry to hear that. I think I have had RA for gong on 2 years but just recently paid attention and decided something was wrong. I was in the car yesterday picking up my daughter when my knees became unbearable with pain I had to have my husband come drive us home I have been in car accident with broken bones and nothing compares to this pain I have never experienced anything this bad before. I just hope with meds it will get better.

[Martiegee]

I was diagnosed when my 2 youngest were babies. If I could go back, i'd completely change my diet and make myself do strenuous activity eveyday. I now have lived with RA for 12 years and through all the medication changes, I only time I felt really relief, was when I took my health back by changing my diet and exercise. I know you're probably rolling your eyes at me at this point. But I promise you, it's the only relief I've felt. If I have one cookie, I'm in bed for half a day. Pasta, bread, crackers, sweets, they cause so much inflammation. Good luck, you can do this. Your stronger than you think you are. I promise!

[Preacherman]

Martiegee, I think your right on it. Sugar is a known inflammatory. I'm not positive, but I think my heavy drinking in my younger days may have brought on my R/A, that is just my guess. If you have Netflicks or something similar check out the movie "Fat, Sick And Nearly Dead, it's a documentary about a plant based diet, which Joe Cross introduces a juice diet. Just check it out and see what you think, it's definitely something to consider and maybe talk to your doctor about. Blessings!

[Linzjo]

I know exactly what you're going through. I was diagnosed almost two years ago. I'm a mother of two, one year left of college and work full time. I just woke up one morning and couldn't walk. It was so scary! They put me on heavy steroids and methotrexate once a week. It took about three months before I started seeing results but now I'm doing really well. I suggest overcoming fear of needles if you have any and opting for the injections. I switched several months ago and it works so much better. Plus it helps w the nausea. It does get better (at least for awhile) flares come and go always and the fatigue and stiffness along w achy joints doesn't go away completely. But the meds will improve your quality of life. Much love your way

[jaclyn11305 in reply to Linzjo]

Thank you so much I went to doctor today because I was in server pain she is just my family doctor so she wasn't going to start my RA meds but as she don't think I'll get in for 6 weeks and my condition has worsened so much in 4 days she stated me on methotrexate and hydrochloride or something like that. She also gave me something to ease the pain.

What are you going to school for?