I'm new to this

Recently diagnosed sero negative RA. Prescribed Sulphasalazine 6 tabs/day. Suffer with joint pain & stiffness in shoulders, elbows, hips, knees & ankles. How well can I expect to feel once tablets take effect?

[Hidden]

I haven't been in this group very long and I can

already tell that the ride with RA is one big

long rollercoaster ride. The majority of people

had a lot of changes happen physically and emotionally

since suffering the symptoms of RA.

It will depend largely on how well you respond but

going in with the support you will find on here will

help you out a lot and we all have our fingers and

toes crossed that it will make you feel less pain and

have a little more energy after a few doses. Good Luck_

X Karen

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your support. It's good to know there are people out there with similar difficulties.

[helixhelix]

You should be aiming to be "normal" again. Maybe a slightly different normal than you were used to, but don't lower your horizons right now. When I started the drugs things improved hugely, but I kept asking my rheumy if I could be better still and kept trying different doses & combinations until I found the balance that worked best for me. And now I reckon I'm 95% normal (and age & OA make up some of the missing 5%).

[Hidden in reply to helixhelix]

Thanks v. much. I appreciate the suggestion about not lowering your horizons. Having been fit and active all my life it is hard to keep going with usual activities.

[Chappy1]

I'm someone who has noticed a great improvement on this drug, and am also sero negative. You will have to wait for a while for full effects, but I started to feel the benefit within about 8 weeks or so.

I also have no side effects, so that's a benefit!!

[Hidden in reply to Chappy1]

Many thanks for support.

[Hidden]

I was seronegative when first diagnosed in 1987. I had hands like bunches of bananas, and could hardly walk. Was started on Sulfa and in a fortnight my hands had become normal and I was walking much better. Good luck.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the support. I will hang on in there!

[Hidden]

Thanks everyone. It's good to know that with a little patience life can get near 'normal'. Although having been fit & active all my life it does get depressing when you find it too painful to take part in your usual activities. Hanging on in there!

[Azabat]

I'm pretty new to this too, just six months and also sero-negative. I have good days and bad, but one thing being here has made clear to me is that recovery is possible. You don't have to give up being fit and active, although until your medication kicks in you may need to do smaller chunks of activity at a time. You might also consider alternative activities (I'm just getting my pass for the pool and gym here). Take good care of yourself

-Bat

[Hidden in reply to Azabat]

Thanks for your support. Yes, I do get good days and bad days too. I go to weekly Tai Chi class and Stretch & Flexibility class, but sometimes feel I just can't manage it today then feel bad 'cos I didn't go! Hey Ho!

[Azabat in reply to Hidden]

Guilt is counter-productive in so many ways. I can only say this because I'm exceedingly good at guilt myself I've been taking prednisone for more than a week now, and it has given me a new understanding of how I'm feeling when I can't manage. It's not a personal failing if you can't manage, it's not a failure at all. Respecting how your body feels is an act of courage. x

[Hidden in reply to Azabat]

I agree about the Prednisolone - when I am taking it my body feels good, as tho' it belongs to me again. Unfortunately can't take it all the time and when off it - symptoms return. Sulphasalazine has so far only partially kept the RA at bay. Should soon get next apt with Rheumatologist and will discuss alternative meds and how he sees the RA outcome. I will admit, you do have to learn how to be patient!

xx

[Azabat]

Sadly, one of my favourite lines is 'Patience is a virtue, but who wants to be virtuous?'. From what I understand, the medication journey sounds very similar to the one I had with epilepsy. It's a matter not so much of finding the right med, but of finding the right cocktail and tweaking it until it gives the best possible results. xx