A quick hello!

[heather_ellen]

Hi everyone, I'm new here and just thought I'd introduce myself. I'm Heather, I'm 20, and I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis almost 5 years ago (has it really been that long?). It affects my left knee and both elbows but Enbrel + MTX has worked absolute wonders despite having to scare/panic myself into injecting every week (have to do it in the time span of the toilet flush if I want the noise to cover my count to 10 with expletives in the middle).

I'm in a privileged position really: I'm mobile enough to lead a normal life and I'm 6 months away from qualifying as a paediatric nurse. The only way I struggle is energy wise- being a student nurse is hectic for everyone but I seem to be more drained by it than anyone else I know. I have it all planned out in terms of what roles I can do at what age depending on my disease progression as it's still very early days and I'm sure my mobility and minimal flareups will finish at some point! It's really interesting being both a nurse and a patient and it's quite useful being able to use my nursing knowledge as a patient yet use my patient experience as a nurse. I'd love to be more active in this community and I hope having medical insight can make me useful though though I'm not in a position to give actual medical advice. But hello everyone and I look forward to being active here!

[Hidden]

Hello

Welcome to our site, you will be given plenty support here

BOB

[Ellioteva in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Bob

[miss]

Hi and welcome to this site some lovely people here. I have always found good advise and support,truly hope you find the same xx

[beth48]

Welcome {{{ hugs}}} from me Heather and good luck with your nursing career xx

[aligator]

Hello & welcome, good luck with the nursing. Look forward to reading your blogs. love Alison xx

[Rosie_rabbit]

Hello and a very warm welcome. This is a wonderful site for giving and receiving support, for sharing fun, laughter, tears, rants and anything else you can think of!

You sound wonderfully positive and in control of how the disease might be affecting you now and in the future which is fantastic, as is training to be a paediatric nurse with RA! Look forward to hearing more from you. Rx

[nellysgran]

Hello and welcome to this wonderful site were everyone is very helpful and supportive. Looking forward to hearing from you again, Good luck with your nursing.

Wendy x

[allanah]

Hi and well done for keeping going with your degree when you have RA. Bet your looking forward to finishing so much! But then the real learning starts lol xxxxxxxx

[Titchyj]

Hi, welcome to the site, but sorry you have to suffer to be here. You will get loads of help and support, I look forward to reading your posts and views.

Jan

[Hidden]

Hi. I'm sure that having RA will make you a very special paediatric nurse - you sound very mature for your age and intelligent too. Just the kind of person I would hope to have as a nurse if I ever need one! Tilda x

[francherry]

Hello Heather and welcome. This is a great place to share experiences, learn from each other and to give & get support

[Ellioteva]

Hi Heather_ellel

I'm also new to here I would like to wish you all the luck in the world with your nursing career you have such a wonderful positive outlook on life

[heather_ellen]

Thank you for all your lovely comments! I'll be sure to keep you all updated and look forward to being involved.

[pearlydoris]

Hi and welcome, I was talking to a lady at the clinic the other day and she was telling me she had been in remission for 3 years. Hope for us all. Take care. Sue

[cathie]

That's a great combination for insight into both conditions. I've been in med induced remission for many years, I'd just counsel great caution in coming off them! Welcome

[Doughnut61]

Happy to have you on this site X RA is poo but it's great that we are here for each other 😄