Hello everyone. I am new here.I joined a little while ago but never posted anything but I am an emotional wreck and just need someone to talk to.I was told I have a positive rf factor and experiencing stiffness/pain in a couple fingers in the morning. I see the rheumatologist on the 17th.I am sick with worry.I already suffer from anxiety and it's getting worst.I just dont know what to do..I try and think positive but it's hard because I don't want this.Im 37 and feel like I just started to live then wham!..this happens.
Really going through it: Hello everyone. I am new here... - NRAS
Really going through it
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Nadia12345
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actually to be truthful just don't overthink things. Most people like me lead a normal life and RA does'nt have any real impact except those small white tablets every night! My RA started with a couple of sore fingers and was treated agressivly, which I agreed too, and it was a good decision. You'll see a lot of posts about diet but I'm Celioc and its made no difference but of course to others it might.
My best advice to you is not to worry and look on the NRAS website for informed advice and carry on regardless and stay mobile too. X
Thank you so much for your advise.I'm really trying to stay positive. I intend to keep living life but with anxiety issues worrying creeps in...I've researched some and stress seem to be a factor with triggering ra..so now i worry about worrying smh.Thank you again for your response.It does feel good to be able to reach out to people who know what's going on.
At least you've found us !!!! And it really helps I've not been on this forum very long but it's been so supportive from day one , I didn't know like you abt ra and all the meds it's really stressful but as time goes on you will gain confidence knowing there lots of us to help and hopefully guide you on this nasty rocky road x
Thank you so much!It's hard when you feel so alone.Im glad I found all of you!
Hello Nadia, like you, I tend to worry before I have reason to worry lol 😂 . I strongly recommend learning to meditate. Try on line solutions before running out to classes.
I have dealt with chronic pain for many years and can say the most beneficial I learned was biofeedback. Just learning to control your breath is life changing.
I am without question, a major control freak. Allowing myself to let go of that illusion has set me free. The only control you have is you. That is , controlling how you choose to respond to outside stress. What will happen will happen. A diagnoses, job, relationships....life happens with or without your input. How you manage those events will determine the outcome. The only thing we can control is our choices. Life often SUCKS , but success despite the challenges is what truly makes you strong 💪 hang in there. Perhaps preparing for how you will move forward with the new knowledge. If it is a chronic illness , how do you modify your life to accommodate this new reality ?
Make lists of all the variables. Do you have children ? If yes, how will this affect them? How can you make your lives manageable? Be prepared for whatever may happen, good and bad. Big hugs 🤗 hope he news is good news. If not, do not despair , treatments are available and solutions present themselves everyday.
Thank you so much for your advise.I am a mother of four girls..twins 23,19 and 15 and I do worry how this will effect them as well..I know getting my stress and anxiety under control is a must.I too am use to being able to control everything and to know this is out of my hands is a bit frightening. I understand exactly what you are saying by I can only control how I choose to respond Im really working hard on that.I've been througj so much in life smh..I just keep telling myself I'll get through this too..thank you for your hugs they are greatly appreciated!
Hi I took ra when is was 28 I had a young family 2sons 2 and 5 it wasn't easy but once on the right treatment live gets easier .so trust ur rheaumtoglist to help u find the right meds .I'm 53 now my son's are 27 and 30 both grew up fine no issues so please don't stress .we have all been there .x hugs amy
You brought tears to my eyes!!I try to be so hopeful...I know I have to hang in there...thank you!
No problem I'm here if u need to talk x
Thank you..I may take you up on that offer!
Hi Nadia I was diagnosed 2 years ago with aggressive RA . I was terrified thought my life was over 🙁 I couldn’t even get out of bed it was in all joints 😳 A year down the road I would say I feel almost normal again apart from the monthly blood tests x I’m back to loving life and appreciate every moment 👍😀👏🏻 You will get there 😘😘 just take one day at a time xx
Thank you so much...that gives me hope!I pray you continue to feel well..Im on such an emotional rollercoaster
Hiya Nadia, welcome. Well, I'm afraid you're not alone in not wanting this but you have one card left to play... you don't yet have a confirmed diagnosis. It is possible to have a positive Rheumatoid Factor & not be diagnosed with RD, you've been told you're positive for RF not that you're RF positive. 1 in 20 of the normal population test positive for + RF. Before diagnosis can be confirmed other blood tests need to be taken (ESR/CRP, inflammation levels & anti-CCP, a more sensitive test), plus imaging & examination by Rheumatologist.
I would think it's your GP who has taken your RF, if so he's suspecting off your stiffness & pain of two fingers, that's good because you're being referred so quickly. If you are diagnosed it will have been been caught extremely early. This is a positive (if there can be any when considering a chronic disease!), the likelihood is greater that control can be brought over late onset with multiple joint involvement. Do you have your RF figure?
Don't over think this, please don't worry before you need to, it can make things worse. We're here to talk to & we'll try & help wherever we can. If that means that regular talking helps then keep posting, we don't mind, whatever it takes to ease your mind until your Rheumy appointment & beyond. If you feel that you need more help then do ask your GP.
A read of the NRAS website may help, this page in particular might be helpful nras.org.uk/seropositive-se...
Just keep in mind that most people with RD are doing well, forums like ours aren't a good indicator of how people are with RD, they're busy getting on with their lives. The majority of people who use them are either people like you, the newly diagnosed & those not doing too well. I do mostly well (I have OA as well which causes me more trouble than RD) but choose to be here. I was diagnosed seropositive 10 years ago, evidence only if foot involvement but high RF & anti-CCP, I saw my GP a month after onset, she took the two tests plus ESR & CRP & I was diagnosed a fortnight later. I do have erosions but have suffered no permanent joint damage. I do take meds & will need to take them the rest of my life but it gives me a good life so I'll continue to take them, maybe not happily but religiously! 😉
NB we do tend to abbreviate a lot here, it saves time but appreciate it's not helpful for new members. Just look to the right & under Pinned Posts you'll see Common abbreviations and acronyms on this community, there are lots listed there.
Thank you so much for you encouraging words..it's nice to have people to turn to when things are a little overwhelming.
No thanks needed, but do keep asking questions if it helps. Do you know what your RF figure was?
Yes 152..inflammation test were normal
It's not silly high, it can be much higher. After 3 months off all my meds my RF was 1280. That your ESR/CRP were normal is promising, although you do only have the two fingers involved, that you're aware of. It would appear there's no underlying infection, neither chronic or acute.
in reply to nomoreheels
Well said nomoreheels 👏
Not really much else i can say, all is said.
But what I will say is: Please steer away from Google, finding information that way, can at times frighten us. Not all symptoms listed, means we'll end up with it all. We're all different, with different forms of arthritis, but we all have determination, no matter how big or small. We all have bad & low times, but we also have joyous times.
Feel free to rant & scream as much as you like, you'll always get responses of support from here.
It's not all doom & gloom though, we have a laugh as well. 😊
Take care.
Ruth
Nadia12345 in reply to
Yes..I believe i do need to stay off google..I go on there and then anxiety level is on 1000 smh..I try hard to stay off but then i find myself looking at my body thinking I see something or feel something else to google smh..I have to get myself mentally stable because living in this constant bubble of fear is not good.
I understand it's difficult not to refer to Dr Google but honestly you'd be better off researching on reputable sites, some recommended ones are below.
NRAS - nras.org.uk
ARUK - arthritisresearch.org
Arthritis Care - arthritiscare.org.uk
NHS choices - nhs.uk/pages/home.aspx & nhs.uk/conditions/rheumatoi...
Patient.info - patient.info/health/rheumat...
There's also a very good site in the US, Rheumatoid Arthritis Warrior rawarrior.com. Do be aware though medication brand names & some doses may differ from those in the UK, as can protocols, treatments & guidelines.
Thank you for the helpful links and advise
Hi Nadia, so sorry to hear that: it is completely overwhelming at first. I felt numb sitting outside first rheumatology appt and had anxiety issues too. I think it's a perfectly understandable response.
My Gp referred me to CBT course for long term conditions which gave you tools to cope & i read matt lewis Overcoming Anxiety which had loads of similar little exercises. You might think both a load of rubbish but neither denied effects of disease on your mental health and i found aspects of both v helpful. Can't add anything to v good advice above but it does get better than this, honestly (I was diagnosed last year). Kind regards
K x
Nadia----
I was diagnosed less than a year ago at 34 yrs old. It's not fair. And it was the scariest ordeal that I've ever gone thru (until currently... Going thru some weird rash that no one can help me with) I digress...
Except... I was completely crippled. Started in shoulder for a few weeks then one by one, each joint.. From big to small. I'm managing now. But my RF was negative and so was my CCP, inflammation was high and given my symptoms... There was no doubt I was having inflammatory polyarthritis..or RA.
Here is my point... If I could go back in time...I would've told myself to CALM THE HELL DOWN. I added so much more anxiety, stress, pain, and heartache to my situation. I was crying everyday... Actually, weeping. So depressed... Which is natural! Everytime a med failed me... It was like turning my life upside down over and over and over... To the point where I have lost over half my hair. . Due to stress. Chronic telogen efluvium.
Please don't under estimate positivity... Even if you are faking it with yourself. I keep telling myself I am happy, I am happy, and think of all the things I can be grateful for, I smile out of nowhere .. Just to put a smile on my face...I watch funny shows to help me laugh. I also try to be as helpful to others as much as I possible can. Doing good for others is a great way to forget about your worries, at least for a few moments, plus you get to feel good about yourself!
We all wish you the very best. Please keep us posted.
By the way... My mom who is 53 started to have intense joint pain in her last 2 fingers... Even tested positive for RF, had some inflammation... And hers turned out to be osteoarthritis. So you just never know...
Jess
Fantastic advice and I could not agree more. Why stress over something you cannot change, diagnoses, and focus on all the ways you can make your life better. My heart goes out to all the young mothers dealing with any condition affecting mobility. I am so tired all the time I could not imagine keeping up to my children. However, I can also say you have the greatest motivation in the world, your babies 👶 babies.
The financial impact is hard at any age but there is life after the New lol Hang in there, I also do all I can do to stay positive. It is our best defense💉sure beats a needle lol
Like Kerena and many others I did CBT and it helps. All I can add to the excellent posts on here is listen to those further down the road than you. I did when I got diagnosed aprox 18 months ago and I still do. I learn so much from reading and re reading things on good websites and on here. I was a confident assured person before this and I lost myself. I am now starting to find my old self but also the new me. I now get anxious but I am learning to manage it. I say all this just to re affirm that help is on here and you will do the same for others one day using your experience of this situation. This is an amazing site with amazing people on it. Let them help you as you go through this. Take care. Let us know how this all goes for you.
I can’t add much to the masses of supportive responses you have already read. If you do get a diagnosis for RA, you might feel like contacting NRAS to ask if you can be put in touch with a mentor. Then you can have a good long phone chat.
I’m wishing you all the best.
I was diagnosed with RA about the same time a friend was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. I kept reminding myself that it could be very worse and I had much to be grateful for. Everyone has trials and troubles to learn to accommodate; it just takes time to figure out how best to do that. Every single day, I keep control by doing what I can to be healthy—yoga, prayer, and good natural foods.
Best wishes to you on your journey.
Hi Nadia, on complaining to my doctor of stiffness, n aches and pains in joints, a routine blood test turned up an RF factor of 312 for me and, like u, I was devastated (I’m 52).....since then I have started regular exercise, four times a week, I am taking fish oil, I’ve cut out all gluten and am eating really really healthy....limited dairy, probiotics and lots of greens, on top of that I take 10mg of CBD oil daily (an incredible anti-inflammatory). If you keep your inflammation way, way down as I have, it will not progress. Inflammation = progression. My rheumatologist is not putting me on methotrexate or plaquenil (or any of those) BUT we are watching cautiously. IF it develops, of course I will have to think of something further down the line but right now the change of lifestyle, healthy habits, exercise, all to keep the inflammation away, and I have not progressed. I recommend you research thoroughly before you go on any drugs....only take them if you need them but don’t just jump on them in anticipation of what MIGHT be further down the line. There is a school of thought That you will see all over the place online telling you that aggressive therapy and getting ahead of it early is the way to go BUT the toxicity of these DMARD’s is not necessarily worth it ....you may never develop full-blown RA so you must make that choice wisely, depending on your symptoms. If you have chronic swelling and pain that you can’t get around with an NSAID (ibuprofen for example), once in a while, then your rheumatologist can advise you better but that’s my take on it all. 😊
Hi Nadia
I’ve had RA since I was 29 and am now 63 and have got used over the years to taking the tablets which keep it under control. There are some good tablets to take now compared to when I first had it and you can live a good life without many problems. I agree with other people it makes a huge difference to stay positive.
I hope this helps and wish you well.
Hi Nadia, I too was 37 when 1st diagnosed! A big step forward was gettjng the diagnose, it took about a year and half! Then was put on plaquenil, once it kicked it, it was all good! I had a very good long run, was in remission! Only been the last year or so that I have had flare ups, so now just started taking methotrexate injections, so far so good! So, there is hope! Take care! 
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