RA warriors

[RAstrong]

I am hoping that you don't mind opening your community to a Canadian who has recently been diagnosed with RA after years of mis diagnosis. I am finally going to get the answers I have been waiting for.

[Ktltel]

Welcome RAstrong,

I'm newly diagnosed too. Seronegative RA. I'm from U. S. Kansas. Started Sulfasalazine 2 weeks ago. I still have joint swelling and pain in mid back and wrists and hands. It's better than it was, but still present.

How are you doing? Have you been started on meds?

Stella

[RAstrong in reply to Ktltel]

Hoping tomorrow is med day I have been suffering for years mis diagnosed and it seems it is on a destructive path in my body as in these past 6 months has gone from hands and wrists to elbows and shoulders and toes anklies and knees I have also felt pea size and maybe a little bigger nodules over my elbows.been taking 600mg of ibeproufin every 4 hours and all it has done is cause gastrointestinal issues. Really not sure how much more I can take.

[Ktltel in reply to RAstrong]

RAstrong,

I'm sorry to hear about the progression of your symptoms. That's what RA does. Ibuprofen may lesson the pain but it isn't good for long term or your stomach. I took ibuprofen too and ended up with gastritis... leaky gut.... and that equals or leads to auto immune disease. It's a catch 22 thing. But at least your getting help. I know the meds carry side effects. I have liver issues too so I can't take many of them. As I mentioned, I'm on Sulfasalazine. Just started the full dose yesterday. Still have painful wrists and sometimes knees and ankles. Plus my mid back... Ouch!!! Inflammation there is causing pinched nerves. Limits my movement or I have harsh burning sensation across my shoulder blades and sides under my arms. Ugh!! I'm on Gabapentin for that. It's helping but, it's only masking over the pain as is any RA drug. I'm trying to eat an anti inflammatory diet too. Hopefully once they start you on meds you'll get some relief. Keep me posted.

Stella

[Tinkerbell5 in reply to Ktltel]

Hi I've recently been Diagnosed with ccp positive it my hand and feet that are very painful are u on medication

[Ktltel in reply to Tinkerbell5]

Not sure if ur taking to me... I'm on 2000mg of sulfasalazine. Helps some, not completely. Only been on it a month.

[gatodelsol]

Welcome, RAstrong. Sorry we have to welcome you here (i.e., sorry you have RA!), but glad you finally have a correct diagnosis and can start down the path of treatment and getting some relief of your symptoms and arrest of the progression. It is not an easy path to travel, and it can be wrought with setbacks and frustrations (there's a very good reason we call ourselves "warriors"!!).

My biggest piece of advice is: be your own best advocate!!! Do research and ask questions (of your doctor! That's what he/she is there for!), listen to your body (everyone's RA is different - different symptoms, different response to meds, etc.), be good to yourself.

[Emiturn]

It's a shame it wasn't diagnosed sooner to get meds in early stages but glad you can now get help

[sjewell_77]

Yes def keep fighting for answers. When I was first dx with ra my rheummy thought it would be easily controlled bc we thought it just started. Turns out we were wrong. I had it my whole life but I was dx with other issues and the ra went untreated till I was 30. Def keep pushing to get answers that make sense.