3rd times a Charm

[Sharrelson]

Just diagnosed with RA. 1st appointment couple weeks ago. Doing extra blood work to see if Lupus. Gave a shot of depo. Not alot of relief. Next appointment they will start meds what have you. Been reading so much getting a little anxious about the road ahead. This is the 3rd time I have tried to post so we shall see. Just curious if RX pill, injection or iv therapy give quicker results?

[AgedCrone]

Go with the flow Sharrelson...don't bother reading & trying to understand all you read until you've been diagnosed at least 6/12 months. Give your rheumatologist a chance to get on top of things.....then start the reading & comparing.

Don't even contemplate future meds ...that is the rheumies job....& he is restricted by NHS regulations as to what & when he can prescribe.

I was diagnosed 18 years ago....had some ups & downs,but didn't try to outguess the professionals...makes for a calmer stress free journey .

Good Luck....the Depomedrone may still kick in...I found it could last for 10/12 weeks& was my favourite " Go to" when it all got a bit much!

[Sharrelson in reply to AgedCrone]

Yea I agree. I need to stop looking into all of it. My rheumatologist seems really great so waiting for Jan 9

Appreciate your response. Thanks

[AgedCrone in reply to Sharrelson]

You're very welcome.

I find overthinking RA from day one drags you down.

Hope your rheumy turns out to be a "star" as mine is.

Happy Healthy 2018!

[Kai--]

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If interested in a bit about newbie RA diagnosis ( healthunlocked.com/cure-art... ) & "speed of results" and/ or potential for addition of Lupus diagnosis ( healthunlocked.com/cure-art... ), there’s lots of realistic hope for an improved future, Sharrelson. ☺️ 🙏

Please, take gentle 😌 , loving 💓 care of yourself. Wishing you the very best. 🙏 🍀 🌺 🌞

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🎄 🔖 🎁 🎅 ❄️ ☃️ 🌨

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[nomoreheels]

Hiya Sharrelson, welcome to us here at the NRAS forum. I'm sorry to hear you've received a diagnosis but do hope your further tests don't reveal you also have Lupus. If it does turn out to be the case though there is also a Healthunlocked Lupus site you could also join if you wish.

Try not to bog yourself down with too much info just now, your Rheumy is the one who will answer any specific questions & arrange your med protocol. Unfortunately, if you're in the UK, he has to follow NICE guidelines so researching meds & their delivery will be somewhat fruitless. You'll likely start on tablets, they will be DMARDs (Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs), either monotherapy (one DMARD)... methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, sulfasalazine or maybe leflunomide or a combination double or even triple therapy depending on your needs but your Rheumy will explain which & why. Maybe if you'd like to do some reading up it would be best to keep to reputable sites such as NRAS nras.org.uk or Arthritis Reasearch UK arthritisresearchuk.org, less chance of frightening the life out of you with those!

You've enough to think of at the mo, coming to terms with not only one diagnosis but the possibility of two so I wouldn't concern yourself with any more than your Rheumy recommends. There's time look at exercise, diet & such further down the line, just concentrate on your meds working in the early weeks & months. Unfortunately none of the DMARDs are fast acting, they can take 12 weeks or more to be effective although you may notice subtle differences before then. You'll be prescribed as needed, this may include a short course of steroids or a general steroid injection (which you've had & will hopefully kick in soon) & an NSAID, each work on current inflammation & in turn pain until your DMARD(s) start working.

If there's anything specific you're wanting answers to we'll be happy to help but just so you know we're not medically qualified so can't answer anything med related unless it's through experience & everyone's differs so you may receive varying answers. 😊

[Sharrelson in reply to nomoreheels]

Thanks for replying. I am in the USA North Carolina. Yeah reading post and alot in the UK seems to be a different type of health care there. I work for one of the biggest health insurance companies here, so I have read alot but going to try to 🛑 and wait for my next appointment. I know with my insurance some thing have to be tried before they will pay for others.