Fibromyalgia and Rheumatoid Arthritis

[Lizzy-m]

Seen the rheumatologist today and have been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis alongside the Fibromyalgia.

Trying to let this sink in.

[Dizzytwo Moderator]

Hi there Lizzy-m Oh my dear I am so sorry to hear this. I am sure it will take a little time to sink in for sure {{hugs}} Have you been given any Medication yet to help you deal with the RA or do you have to see your doctor about that? You know you always have your friends here for moral support. If you need to talk we have big ears Ok I have big ears !!

I hope you have a good family and friends support team behind you as I am sure you are needing them at the moment. I will keep you in my thoughts xx

Mo

[Lizzy-m in reply to Dizzytwo]

Thank you, I have been given Methotrexate which I am due to start taking tomorrow. It is a comfort having this forum. ♡

[Dizzytwo Moderator in reply to Lizzy-m]

I am glad you find the forum a comfort I do too. I am glad you have medication to start so quickly I hope it helps bring you some relief pain wise. I can not imagine what your going through right at this moment {{hugs}}

Mo xx

[TheAuthor]

Hi Lizzy-m

I am so truly sorry to read this my friend and I sincerely hope that the Methotrexate helps you. I want to sincerely wish you all the best of luck and please take care of yourself my friend.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

[Riedenise]

Sorry to hear your diagnosis Lizzy_m, yes it's scary, worrying when you first get diagnosed with RA, wondering about treatments, what's going to happen? I too have RA, Osteoarthritis, secondary Sjogrens along with Fibro. I belong to the NRAS (National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society) on the HU forum, where you'll find lots of support and help/ advice on RA if you'd like to take a look.

I see you are going to start Methotrexate, tablets or injection? You may find it easier on the tummy to take it at night just before bedtime, that way you'll sleep through any side effects. Have you been described Folic Acid tablets too to go along withthe metho?

I can understand it's daunting but there is a lot of support the help you through. Take care my lovely x Rie

[Lizzy-m in reply to Riedenise]

Thank you so much x

[Loraine121]

Hi Lizzy- m , I also saw a rheumatologist on Wednesday wich was a follow up appointment from when I was in hospital in april with my breathing , I had at the time had a bad fibro flare up for weeks and by luck it was a new respiratory consultant I saw and I mentioned that I normally would have tried to stay at home with my breathing as I didn't think it was bad enough to be in hospital but due to the weeks of hell with the fibro I was exhausted and unable to cope with the breathing problems as well so when my gp advised me that I should be in hospital I didn't try and get out of it ,

The respiratory consultant asked me when I last saw a rheumatologist and was shocked that it had been 16 years so while in hospital he arrange for the rheumatologist to see me , he was excellent scanned my hand knees and feet , took fluid from my knee and took blood as well as sent me for xrays . On discharge the rheumatologist had not got all my test results back so Said he would see me as a out patient.

I saw him on Wednesday and I too am finding it difficult to come to terms with as it is also affecting my internal organs mainly my lungs but in a weird way I was happy as I am now going to get proper help, he has arranged for a team of rheumatologist nurses and physio, occupational health, podiatrist, clinical psychologist , pain management and self management.

I know that im luck to have all of this , I am finally get help from professional services and treatment, I have to get a rituximab infusion at the hospital first and learn how to inject myself for another medication it's a lot to take in but the fact that I am know going to get proper help and support he also thinks this will help my breathing and fibromyalgia so that is great news for me

I hope you are getting the best off care to , im just going through the information that I was given about the treatment and how the team will help me through this. I didn't think anything could get worse than when I was put on home oxygen 24/7 but ha ho another blow but with support.

Wishing you a pain free day as possible, and the best of luck coming to terms will your latest blow , take care.

Loraine x

[Lizzy-m in reply to Loraine121]

Thank you Loraine, I wish you the best x

[Dizzytwo Moderator]

I so agree with your post things have advanced for a lot of today's illness not all I know but many people are able to cope much better with medications that we have now. So as you say Hidden it is not all gloom and doom once you get over the shock of the diagnoses. xx

Mo

[Pat9]

I am being referred to a RA doctor as well had the diagnosis of Fibro 8 yrs ago and have perisistently said I think I have both so I do hope I get some type of joy like you as at least you know what you are up against sounds like you had a throrough exam I am so sorry you have had this diagnosis xx

[Lizzy-m in reply to Pat9]

It has taken quite a while to get to this point, I know what it's like to feel that you are not being taken seriously or listened. At the end of the day we each know our own bodies. I do hope you get sorted Pat and thank you x

[Pat9 in reply to Lizzy-m]

Thanks Lizzie I was in hospital for 3months at the age of 12 with RA so know what the pain is like but the rheumatologist I saw treated me like I was imagining things wishing us both luck and our pain free days Lizzie 🙂Xxx

[Lizzy-m in reply to Pat9]

I can't begin to imagine what it must have been like for you to have gone through this pain at only 12 years old, here's to a better future x

[Pat9 in reply to Lizzy-m]

it was bad Lizzy and back in those days they hardly knew anything as I am 68 now so a long time ago I also had scarlet fever and glandular fever my body shut down and I was left with glanglions on both wrists put on predisone by Guys hosp in London and was under them and off school for 2 years never thought I would go on to lead any type of life but did went on to have my 3 girls who have given me 7 grandchildren so led a full life following it the steroids are amazing drugs XX

[Loraine121 in reply to Pat9]

Hi pat9, I'm sorry to hear that you are not getting the support and care from your health care professionals, it really annoys me when I here that people are dismissed as if it's in there head , if only they had to spend some time in any fibro sufferers body's they soon change there minds never those of use who have other illnesses as well.

Good luck , thinking of you in my prayers.

Loraine x

[Loraine121 in reply to Pat9]

Hi pat9 , wishing you all the best with your rheumatologist appointment I hope you get the care and support that im getting, it's new to me well 16 years with fibro but I think I have had RA for a few years but undiagnosed until last month well confirmed on Wednesday, I know that it is going to take time to come to terms with but at least i know that I am going to get proper help and support.

Take care

Loraine x

[Pat9 in reply to Loraine121]

Thanks Loraine and you xx

[Janet28]

Oh i am sorry Lizzy-m that ones definitely going to takes some sinking in my friend, what a worrying time for you. It may be useful for you to see if your gp can refer you for some CBT therapy. It's to help you manage the life changes that chronic pain conditions bring. I have Polymyagia aswell as fibromyalgia, so i completely understand how you are feeling honey. It doesn't come overnight and you really have to give yourself time and be kind to yourself. We are always around for a chat.

Sending u ❤ n hugs

Jan xx

[Lizzy-m in reply to Janet28]

Thank you Janet, I have a referral to Pain Management at the end of June ( for fibro initially) I think they might teach me something about CBT. More than a little bewildered at the moment. Sending love x

[Loraine121 in reply to Lizzy-m]

Hi Lizzy-m , I wish you the best of luck with your pain management and hopefully you will get some benefit from this, if you're gp or rheumatologist don't refer you to occupational health care then you can contact them sometimes unfortunately it depends on where you live, I saw someone a few years ago when it was only fibro i had and they were very helpful with aids to help you around the house like a simple kettle tilter and a bed rail just at the top of my bed to help me sit up and get out of bed on my own ,

Thinking of you in my prayers

Loraine x

[shazmill]

Hi Lizzy. I also have both of these conditions . I was diagnosed 9 years ago. It hasn't been easy but the trick is not to give up.

At first i really had no idea how i who cope. Having one of them is bad enough never mind to. It took me quite a long time to a adjust but i pressed forward. However there and days when i cant even get out of my bed. On days I do mediation to keep my mind focused on something else.

I take lefluidmide 10 mg amatripaline 75mg and i wear a patch which is 10mg

I wish you well. If you want to talk i am here just send me a message. Everyone on here are so supportive. Take care shaz xx

[Lizzy-m in reply to shazmill]

Thank you Shaz that's very kind. x

[Lizzy-m]

Thank you so much x