Aggressive RA

[Doughnut61]

Please can you answer a question for me . I am 56 years old and am so frightened that I will end up wheelchair bound . I was diagnosed 10 months ago . Does everyone with aggressive RA end up this way? The MTX is playing games with my liver I have now been dropped to 7.5 if blood results are not right I will be taken off MTX for good. So worried about my future I have just reduced my working hours to try and help my fatigue. Any replies would be so good to read. Wishing pain free days to all.......

[ruth_p]

Once they find the right treatment for you you will see an improvement. There are lots of different dmards available other than methotrexate. As well as biologic treatment, which most of us have found to be very good. 🙂

[helixhelix]

It is very rare now that people end up in a wheelchair. There are a much bigger range of treatments than there used to be, and MTX is usually the one tried first. But if that doesn't work there are about 19 other ones to try. 10 months is still very early days - even if it feels like an eternity!

Sadly it does happen, and there are a few people on here who suffer like that especially if they have more than one disease. But the people on this forum are not completely representative as it's natural that people with problems tend to post more.

And look at Allanah's post about going to Glastonbury! Being in a wheelchair doesn't stop you living your life. So try to think positive, and look after yourself as best you can to give yourself the best chance. Eating well, sleeping and exercise are important things as well as the drugs.

[Matalow]

Hi doughnut, try not to worry the medics have a range of drugs hopefully there will be one that suits you.

Hope you get sorted out.

Regards Mike

[npkb]

Please do try not to panic! At age 64 I have had severe ra for over 40 years. Like many of us I was terrified of what the future might hold. It isn't easy, I have had several joints replaced, I'm not going to run a marathon any time soon, BUT I am still on my feet and getting around ok. I have worked and raised a family. Now, unlike in 1976 when I was diagnosed, there are several very effective treatments around. It will take time to find the right one, but you will be ok.

Always plenty hugs and support on this site!

[Fra22-57]

Alot of rheumatologists seem to start you on methotrexate.It's a very strong drugh but it too was effecting my liver.Next apart from steroids was Sulfasalazine. I am still on both.I have tried 3 biologics that didn't start working. I am now on hydroxychlorine aswell which has helped enormously. I couldn't get out of bed or down stairs at one time so you too can be helped.It does take time to dampen the disease down. I had to give up work thou.

[BoneyC]

RA has taken 46 years to force me to use a wheelchair for long distances, so hopefully you should be fine. There are much better drugs nowadays.

[AgedCrone]

Ten months is very early in RA terms.

In this day & age people rarely end up in wheelchairs unless they have other conditions either caused by the RA.p or not,

I was older than you when I was diagnosed with SP RA in 1999! I was put on Sulphasalazine for a while, then luckily Mtx for & for 7 years I was fine..but as they say all good things come to an end, but I was put on other Dmards, & am now on Retuximab, which seems to be suiting me.

So stop worrying......stress is the worst thing for RA..........continue to lead your life as normally as possible, & talk over your fears with your rheumy nurses.

They have heard every worry we all have had, .& mine usually have an answer to most problems!

[Sophie_dog_lover]

Hi,

I'm 10 years younger and also just diagnosed (6 months ago). I was on methotrexate for 6 months and it didn't help me so they are mocking me to Enbrel next week. I'm nervous, but I feel lucky to know a few people with the disease who are doing well on their meds. It gives me hope. It is a scary disease and so much of the info out there is overwhelming and depressing. I'm trying to be hopeful and as others have said, reducing stress is very important. I hope you start feeling better on a new med (if they switch you) and try to focus on just one day at a time. No one knows what the future holds! I try to just be present in today, find things to be grateful for and breathe! 😊

[Hidden]

Hello Doughnut61. There are many meds that can help you,if mtx does not suit you.

I was diagnosed seropositive RA. Then aggresive seropositive RA. Then seronegative RA and now 'undeterminde inflammatory arthritis".... I guess what I am trying to say is "relax" . Easier said than done, eh?

Please relax and have faith in your doctors. Allow them to be your guide until you are emotionally & pshyically stong to join in your RA management team.

All the best to you

Sue