Just diagnosed

[Hilsam]

Saw doctor yesterday , having had fibromyalgia for 6 years he now thinks I have RA. I have developed little lumps on finger joints, and have pain and stiffness. I'm finding it difficult to get warm. He gave me a steroid injection, hopefully this will help a bit. I'm shell shocked.

[sylvi]

Hislam welcome and let me tell you RA can be managed even if it takes a while to get the diagnosis. There are now loads of different drugs out there that can help you.xxxx

[Hilsam in reply to sylvi]

Thank you for that, Sylvi. I'm hoping when the steroid injection kicks in I will get some relief. The rheumatologist said he would see me in a few weeks and think abt further medication. Just going to try to take it a day at a time xxx

[wiliby]

I'm so sorry to here of your diagnosis. Sylvi is right though (she normally is!!) there is so much that can be done. No wonder your in shock, this is the worst time, right now not knowing is so scary. Until recently my RA was under control (medically reduced remission) and there are many more of us who have achieved it 😃

Great support here though, really helped me when diagnosed xx

[Hilsam]

Thank you for this, Wiliby. I had felt grim this morning, the RA but also the shocked state I was in after diagnosis. I was supposed to meet friends for lunch but didn't think I'd make it. However they ferried me there and back and I feel better for doing it.

I have had fibromyalgia for 6 years so I'm used to feeling strange, but there are now a different range of symptoms. I'm pleased to hear that it is possible to get this under control, though uneasy about very strong meds. I will just have to go with it though

It is really good to find a site with such supportive people.

[Coastwalker]

Check your vitamin D levels Hilsam, even being low in range can cause pain and stiffness, (speaking from experience of having pain and stiffness and being found vitamin D Deficient and not knowing I was. )

Apparently 80%+ of us are either low or deficient in Vitamin D and do not know.

Vitamin D = The Sunshine Vitamin.

Take a look at vitamindcouncil for up to date safe doses and maybe even consider supplementing with a good safe dose of vitamin D3 to see if it makes any difference.

Also Fibromyalgia can be down to un diagnosed or under medicated 'Low Thyroid' (Hypothyroidism) Many Doctors 'miss' Low Thyroid patients with their unreliable thyroid blood tests, those who get missed often go onto having fibromyalgia.

My Fibro, chronic pains and other symptoms soon went, once optimally medicated, I now self medicate so my fibro pains don't come back.

[Hilsam]

I had picked up on the vit D factor, and have been taking a Solgar multivitamin thinking it would cover it - but maybe it doesn't. Having now been diagnosed with Rheumatoid A I am having more joint pain now than I had with the fibro. I have gone down an alternative route with acupuncture, massage and trying to take appropriate supplements for the fibro. I was aware of the possible thyroid dimension.

Thank you for the advice. It is so difficult to unpick these conditions and I am concerned about the onslaught of heavy meds that seems to await with this new diagnosis.