I have so many thoughts going round my head at the moment as I have never really been ill before and have found this to be so frightening.
Been to collect my perscription from the pharmacy today as I have been perscibed a course of prednisolone for a month. Will also be getting my eyes tested on Monday before I start a months course of Hyroxychloroquine and will then have more blood tests taken.
Feel so scared, nervous and anxious about the next few weeks.
Just needed to share this with you all as I have found all the other posts I have read reasuring. I would like to thank everyone for all of their posts as I now realise that I am not alone and as to how many other people out there are suffering.
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Sandrakni
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You have come to the right place. I'm only recently diagnosed and don't know how I would have coped without everybody on here.
You don't say much about your symptoms but I would guess that they will immediately improve with prednisolone as they did for me remarkably well. I'm on mtx and pred now and hoping mtx will work and I can reduce pred hopefully to zero.
Your physical symptoms on the whole will probably be unique to you. But someone here will have experienced similar to you at some point so will be ready with advice as and when you need it. To me the biggest thing to cope with was the pshycological effect of being formally diagnosed and then taking all these meds...but I've really found my Positive Mental Attitude by coming on here everyday....even just to read and not post anything.
Your journey with RA may be long and up and down...hopefully with lots more ups than downs. But by talking and sharing here and with family and friends you will do great I'm sure.
Lots of luck
Sharon 🌸
There is suffering for sure. But there's also the promise of less suffering, much less suffering and then plain old feeling a whole lot better and getting your life back!
I think RA (and also psoriatic arthritis, which I have) are a long time coming. For me there was a long period in the wilderness before the diagnosis, feeling awful, not knowing what to make of my symptoms, thinking perhaps I was just a sickly type of person. The eventual diagnosis heralded a difficult year or two but in that time I adjusted and I also started to see great improvement.
It's quite normal to feel very apprehensive but travel hopefully, the treatment for this disease, though it involves an element of trial and error, can work pretty well. Take it easy, cry if you need to, seek support from wherever you can find it, and be strong too. The future may be a lot brighter than it seems at the moment.
So sorry you have to join this site, but in time you will realize this is the best choice you made since your diagnosis.
Lots of people, like my husband,do well on hydroxychloroquine. I know you are scared and confused. We all were....just have faith in your doctors and allow them to guide you until you can stand on your own two feet.
Hey, don't worry. It's all so confusing but it will be OK.
I felt the same as you - it's a real big thing to get your head round. I had all sorts of confused thoughts.
My advice would be do everything the rheumy team says, ask lots of questions, try not to worry. Yes, some of the drugs are horrid and may have horrid side effects but they work too. It's a case of finding what is good for you and the only way is to try them - which takes time.
Everyone is different and it will take time (months not weeks) to find the right cocktail of drugs which will help you gain control of your life again - but it will happen 😀 Sometimes in this journey the drugs need tweaking or changing to regain the right balance.
When I was diagnosed I thought that my life would be a continuous round of pain and misery, but it is good - I've been in remission again since November and feeling marvellous. I can do lots of things I thought were gone forever. I also know I will have down times again, it's an undulating journey.
Welcome to this wonderful place - I felt alone and scared before I joined here, but now I don't. It's like having a support system that's always there.
Be positive - you will feel better, hang on in there, it will all be OK xx
Hi i was diagnosed in 2014 same as you i was worried about the future so much uncertainty but with the right medication that works for you only then did i realise life goes on and yes i have good days and bad but as long as you manage your meds there will be more good days, the biggest thing for me is the support i get from my family and am sure will be the same for you.
Hi and welcome to the site we all wish we didn't need to join but are so grateful for. I was diagnosed with RA in Feb 2016 after the sudden onset of severe joint pain. After some weeks of GP bothering I was put on prednisolone which stopped the pain and given an urgent rheum appointment. Am now on Hydroxychloroquine and methotrexate which have worked well for me. I was weaned off the prednisolone and stopped it completely in Oct. I'm sure you will find this forum - and the NRAS website invaluable. There is always someone here with a similar experience to your own who can share this with you. It does take a while to come to terms with having a chronic condition of any kind but being in touch with those with similar experiences does help me and hope it will help you.
Hi Sandrakni and welcome to the gang. Of course your mind is in a whirl. I reckon most on here experienced those same feelings in the early days of diagnosis. Some of the (many) drugs will suit you and some may not but given time, trial and error you will be fine. Please don't forget that people on the forum will probably be the newbies and those struggling. Those who have control over their disease will be far too busy leading their lives, working, caring for their kids etc to post. Wishing you all the best. Hugs
I remember the hospital appointment when I got my diagnosis in 2004. It was a huge shock to me. 6 months prior to this I'd been running 3 times a week, and now my overactive imagination had me in a wheel chair! I didn't know anything about RA so it was a steep learning curve, and being on here has been really helpful. Once you get your meds sorted things will look better. I can't say I'm back running but I swim twice a week and walk the dog so things aren't all bad. Good luck.
You sound just like me 18 months ago, I am now on hydroxychloryquin and methotrexate and I am pain free and feel like I am back to my old self. It is really scary and I cried buckets to start with but I have taken my drs advice and it has worked for me. I hope this helps xx
Hello Sandrakni, welcome. There will be many many details to learn but one step at a time. May I recommend you limit how much you google initialy. This is an excellent forum to use until you are ready. There is so much misinformation to sort through. Ask your health care team. Then if they are not able to answer to your satisfaction ask others who may have shared that experience. Your life has just changed errivocably and there will be many significant adjustments to make. It is far less daunting if you deal with one issue at a time. I hope your Rheumy finds the right treatment for you quickly. Big hugs and feel free to ask us anything.
I was the same when I found out I had it.I no what u mean about your feelings of confusion about it take ur meds an keep up your appointments. I started with it few years ago an try ed few different medication for it . I've done heaps of research about it and antinflamatry drugs and foods turamic helps an ya green veggies good luck hope your meds help with it all xx
Be good to yourself, rest when you need it and try to stay positive. I have good days and bad days and that is okay, I quit beating myself up when I can't do things because of fatigue. This is a great site to be on, everybody is great and really helpful and it helps to be with people who know what you are going through.
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