Hi all.

Hi everyone ice been reading here for a while. I thought I'd introduce myself

I'm 38 years old. Was diagnosed with arthritis when I was 19, had no medication and very few issues unroll 14 months ago now, when following a fall my shoulder hurt then overnight all the smaller joints hurt and continues to do so. My rheumatology team have confirmed i have seronegative rheumatoid arthritis i currently take methotrexate, and hydroxichloroquine I'm awaiting the hear re anti TNF too.

It has taken me ages to accept this is actually happening to me. I'm a nurse by trade and find my self trying to loin ally reason why I hurt so much. The worst symptom I have has to be the fatigue especially the day after my mtx jab. Today in particular is going to be hard I've switched my alarm over three times as I can't muster the energy to extract my self from bed. :-(.

Wishing everyone a pain free day xx

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Hello and welcome to this lovely site

So sorry to hear you're in pain and I hope your meds kick in really soon!! I am glad you're considered for anti-tnf treatment, they're magic drugs in my opinion. I was diagnosed at age 25 about two years ago and it took me a long time to stop being in denial about having RA. I also have seronegative and anti-ccp negative RA but since going on Simponi (an ant-tnf) last autumn I've been pain-free.

I agree, fatigue and brain fog is horrible to deal with. I've had to deal with it a lot more recently and it's so hard to get stuff done, isn't it!! I can't concentrate and feel really run down from the moment I get up, urgh!!!

Looking forward to reading more from you on this site and hope you'll have a painfree day

Love, Christine xx

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Welcome, Rarah, good news at least one of our members live near you!!according to your location map!

!,I think two members live near you, so may be you could meet up?.

I met in person two ladies who are now not active on this site,due to changes in their personal circumstances, but they pop up occasionally, they arent geographically near me, but we met up in the course of going to a Nras Tenthe ANNIVERSAIRY lunch.

We all moan and groan and above all offer each other mutual help and support with shared experiences.., some good and some bad, some funny,some happy and some sad.

[Hidden]

Hello Rara - welcome to this forum - sorry you are struggling just now though. I'm having a break from Hydroxy just now but had been taking injectable MTX and Hydroxy for a year - MTX for 18 months now. It takes a while for it to work I have found so hang in there. I've had regular bouts of denial myself and always try and rationalise flare ups in the same way but think I'm slowly coming to terms - touch wood. Being in denial is a waste of mental energy really but it is such an uncertain disease that its hard for the rational mind to comprehend it I feel. Tilda x

[rheumatoidymummy]

Welcome Rarah, I totally sympathise with the fatigue issue - some days I'm so tired I feel I can't move but other days I'm fine - it makes it very hard for other people to understand what's going on with me.

Hope you enjoy being a 'fully paid up member' now you're posting. The people here are lovely and have given me so much support.

[mattcass]

Hi Rarah, One of the best things you have done in a while is join this forum the members are all lovely people who wont hesitate to give you any help or advice any time day or night they are always there for everyone, mattcass

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Thanks all. U are all very kind and knowledgable. How do I find out who lives close by?

[sylvi]

Tell us where you live and then we will reply. I live in bulkington between coventry and nuneaton. Lovely little village. You have made the best decision by joining us,it is a very friendly group and we all support each other a lot. If someone is down you watch how many answers of encouragement come through,thats how good this group is.xxx

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Hi Sylvia. I'm from bulkington too. X