What do you know now that you wish you had been told when you were first diagnosed?

[MaddieHU]

What general advice would you give a person who has been newly diagnosed with arthritis?

[hawker955]

That in most people it is very responsive to treatment. There is life after diagnosis. Nil desperandum!

[Graceusha1]

Be patient with all your medical professionals your medicine all your friends and all your family. It seems to be a real waiting game.

[nakkita]

Let food be thy medicine and medicine by thy food! Worked wonders for me! Doctors lie!

[GoatGirl56]

Start exercising right away - even though it is hard. Start with known, safe nutritional supplements right away (folic acid, tumeric, vit D3, flaxseed - if you're vegan like me, otherwise fish oil) - consider getting rid of gluten and animal by-products (give it a try for a month and see if you don't feel better....) and don't be afraid to question your doctor and/or state your feelings. You feel better when you have some control.

[Patient0]

Prioritise self-care. Do your research. Look out for food intolerances and investigate them. Reduce your stress levels however you can. Meditation works wonders for pain and stress. It gives you the space to think more clearly about your situation. Don't be afraid to say no when it's too much for you. Things will get better if you prioritise your own wellbeing. Listen to the doctor but do your own digging. What works for the majority may not be right for you.

[Alexplode]

Try to keep active, too much sitting around doesn't help.

[Caza]

Don’t panic, own the disease don’t let it own you. Listen & read everything you can about RD then work out what’s best for you.

[Deniseelk]

It takes quite some time to find a combination of meds that work, be kind on yourself, pace yourself, do what you want to do and you will get back to a new normality at some point.... some things may just have to wait. Do ask for help.