My First Support Online

[Autoimmune3]

Hi. I'm new and was diagnosed with RA 5 1/2 yrs. ago. Will appreciate the opportunity to hear how others cope with this disease.

[JacquiThomas999]

Welcome. I am very new to RA. I was diagnosed in December. I find the site really good. It seems that everyone has good days as well as bad days and we all support each other. So stick around.

[Matilda7]

Welcome and do ask about anything and someone will try and respond helpfully!

[nomoreheels]

Hiya & welcome. It's certainly helpful! I'd been diagnosed a similar length of time when I joined & it has proved to be useful learning, sharing & understanding about all things RD. I had a reasonable amount of knowledge as my Consultants had always encouraged me to be proactive but there's nothing like the experience of others with the same condition, particularly if you don't know anyone else who has it (or OA). I hope you enjoy being here. Any questions just ask, we're a wealth of knowledge between us & not being newly diagnosed maybe you'll have some to share too?!

[Mandalou]

Hi AI3 ( quicker than your full title)

Welcome and tell us how you are doing after 5 and a half years with RA?

Have you had good treatment from your GP and Rheumatologists? What Meds are you on and is it a struggle or do you in general manage quire well.

We are a mixed bunch here of quite varied ages and nationalities which is great as it means a greater source of shared info leading to better support for each other and what ails us.

I have sero negative RA which was diagnosed last summer 2015 with an explosive polyarthritic onset. Meaning I was struck down in multiple joints to the point of complete incapacitation. ( couldn't shut my mouth for a month as it was in my jaw) Looking back I had been ignoring signs in my fingers for several years putting the swelling and pain down to overuse or injury.

The large dose of oral steroids I was given to rescue me from such a state brought on steroid induced Diabetes.

For about seven months I was a complete mess as traditional DMARDS were rejected through severe allergy and/or liver playing up.

Now on the Biologic Enbrel, off Prednisalone completely. Hydroxychloroquine taken alongside prescription antihistamines as my skin gets very itchy. Diabetes completely resolved.

Back at work after 11months in a very physical job as long haul cabin crew. All blood tests tickety boo!

I do suffer with flares in my wrists in particular and my knees are still a work in progress after the extreme inflammation of last year but I have Naproxen as an anti inflammatory and Tramadol for the pain just when I'm suffering badly.

Hope the above helps in a small way and am looking forward to hearing your story and hope you aren't struggling too much with your RA.

Very best wishes to you.

Mx

[allanah]

Nice to see you here, it's been a great site and I've been using it five years X

[Autoimmune3]

Thank you! I have really kept it to myself and my family. I feel at a point where hearing from others may be helpful as we all try to keep our quality of life as good as possible.

[Beverley-NRAS]

Welcome to the site Autoimmune3. Hope you find it useful.

Regards

Beverley (NRAS Helpline)

[Autoimmune3 in reply to Beverley-NRAS]

Thank you!