Newly Diagnosed with RA

[CiCi301]

I was recently diagnosed with RA in April 2018. I am currently on methotrexate, prednisone, and Vitamin D3. I'm taking Vitamin D3 because I have low Vitamin D in my blood. Before my diagnosis..I had excruciating pain and swelling in my knees and almost every joint in my body. It was difficult to walk..get out the bed or take care of my infant daughter. This began early in the year Jan. 2018. My RA is under control since I have been taking meds...but I still have swelling and pain in my middle finger of my left hand. Also, pain and swelling in my left foot and my right wrist. I wonder why its so isolated??

[Izzyowl]

Hi Cici,

I wish I had the answer to your question but it remains a puzzle to me too why certain joints get targeted and not others. For me bizarrely it is my right index finger which swells up and down during the day at the moment. It makes hand writing very tricky !

Welcome to the group. It is very supportive and has been a life line for me along with my local NRAS group.

[CiCi301 in reply to Izzyowl]

Thanks for the welcome. RA is a fustrating disease and I'm going to need all the support.

[Millysmum]

Hi

I'm pretty much the same as you, diagnosed May. I'm on the Methotrexate and prednisone, although I'm reducing the pred, and will be off it mid July. Saw the nurse for the 1st time last week, and she said could flare when off the pred, but methotrexate should have started to work.

All in all, my fingers and feet have returned to normal, but my knee(couldn't walk 6 weeks ago) is 80%better, I just can't kneel on it. And it's a mild stiffness now. It still affects work as my job is physical, but work are okay about this at the moment. I hope you continue to improve, it's a really scary time, for you, but with the right treatment, hopefully you will continue to improve. X

[CiCi301 in reply to Millysmum]

Thanks...I hope you improve as well. Its just strange how certain joints flare up and others don't. Especially after taking meds.

[Hidden]

Welcome. Yes I was diagnosed 2 and 1/2 years ago. My middle finger on my right hand seems to stay affected Wierd!

[CiCi301 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks...yes its too weird.

[helixhelix]

It took me about a year to get fully under control with the meds, so getting this far in a couple of months is great. Well done your body! Things started to improve fairly early on, but the more stubborn joints took longer to settle. I assumed it was because they were more inflammed to start with. Yours might settle too in time.

What's curious to me is that the two joints that were the slowest to settle, are the two joints that are the quickest to respond when things are a bit difficult. They are like a weathervane to the state of my RA!

[HappykindaGal]

Well done on getting it settling down! I'm 2 1/2 years in and still not on top of it at all. The minute I reduce the Pred under 6mg, I'm in trouble again. Am now trying yet another DMARD on top of the Methotrexate and Hydroxy *sigh*. It is funny about the isolated joints - mine in particular, is the right wrist - it seems like the go-to place! Although, my shoulder joins in on occasions. It's an odd disease isn't it.

[CiCi301 in reply to HappykindaGal]

Thanks and yes when I skip a dose of Prednisone..my left foot will flare up. Its crazy. I too have pain in my left shoulder occasionally.

[Millysmum in reply to CiCi301]

That's the bit I'm dreading, coming of the pred, felt was a miracle, but have been warned may have flare, only got a month left, on 5. Mg, then off them. Take last 10mg tomorrow.....

[CiCi301 in reply to Millysmum]

I hope you don't have a flare up..once you're off pred.

[Damaged in reply to CiCi301]

I went into a spontaneous remission Dec 2016 and inflammation is still below 2. I am allergic to Naproxen , which is in all NSAIDS (non steroidal anti inflammatory). I also responded badly to steroids so went 16 weeks with CRP at 45 or so before it dropped. It was not a great experience (ouch) lol 😂 but the outcome was great. I have also not responded well to most drugs. I am currently on Rituxan and Xeljanz. The journey is an interesting a diverse one. We all respond differently with autoimmune. My best advice is stay positive, celebrate the success and live in the moment. We cannot change what has been so focus on what is happening now and how you can prevent any further damage. Keep in mind, we can adjust to anything given the time and motivation. New developments happen everyday. Who knows what future discoveries will bring? I for one am so grateful my children are all grown. My heart goes out to all of you. May your children give you the strength to endure .

[Damaged in reply to Millysmum]

Keep in mind Prednisone is a steroid with long term side effects. Most doctors will start the withdrawal plan at time of prescription. It is best used as a last resort.

[CiCi301 in reply to Damaged]

Yes I'm aware. Thanks!

[CloudTreeDrive13]

It's early days for you only having been diagnosed a few months ago and with a youngster you will struggle. Get the consultant to get it under control quickly to make life more bearable. I was 28 yrs old with 2 young boys. Now 30 years down the line, working part time and my R A is doing quite well. A big adjustment for you but pace yourself, ask lots of questions and don't be fobbed off if you're not happy with things. Have a good day. Take care xxxx

[CiCi301 in reply to CloudTreeDrive13]

Thanks..Im only 33. I thought this could happen to people much older. But I see now it can strike at any age.

[stbernhard]

I'm nine years in , living with RA. In remission for the last four years, but I still get flares in different joints. RA remains full of surprises. I hope yours calms down and you can get on with your life. All the best.

[Hope7777]

Check if you have AOSD ( Adults onset stills disease) and read about the syndromes, i hope you get better

[Hope7777]

my sister taking the exact same meds as u, and have same syndromes..shes now taking Actemra to control RA + Adult stills disease.. ask ur doctors about Actemra, also read about it.