Newbie saying hello.

Hi,my name is Gary im 49 and was diagnosed with rhuematoid arthritis three years ago,i now also have oestio arthritis aswell.Been hard to adjust but the medication has helped a lot although some days are tough.Just thought I'd say hello.

[nomoreheels]

Hiya Gary, welcome. Well I hope you find it helpful being here. Like you I have both though they were diagnosed together, I'm seropositive diagnosed in 2008. Although as the disease affects more of us we're naturally mainly women here we do have quite a few men who post & reply regularly so hopefully they'll be along soon to welcome you too.

I hope you're doing well, sounds as though you have both reasonably controlled. See you around. 😊

[Hidden in reply to nomoreheels]

Hi nmh, I read article recently that said female to male ratio reduces with age, only 2:1 by 50th decade and males dx predominates by 70s (news to me) I will post if I can find it again (doh, brain fog). Interesting as 2 people I know recently dx both male.

Hi Gary too, lovely photo of Eden project. I’ve had this less time than you but find site really useful; no-one wants it but people who’ve got it do tend to ‘get it’ more. 😊

[nomoreheels in reply to Hidden]

Hiya Keren. News to me too. I'd be interested to read the article if you happen upon it sometime.

You ok? x

[Hidden in reply to nomoreheels]

Ok thanks, hope you’re doing well too x

[Nsmith13]

Hello it's very nice on here lots of nice people and very helpful if ever you need it welcome 😋

[Doughnut61]

Welcome to the site that truly knows how it feels x

[Hidden]

Hello Gary, and welcome.

I actually have psoriatic arthritis...Same sort of thing. I hope you find being here helpful. I always do.😁

[wishbone]

Welcome Gary, my name is wishallmyboneswerebetter, but you can call me wishbone if you prefer..like most folks do. I'm a bloke by the way.

[Mmrr]

Its a bummer you need to be here at all, you will get a lot of support and a few laughs along the way too. Welcome !

[woodstar1]

Hi Gary, welcome to our exclusive club!! Lots of information on here and a great bunch. For the record I'm 48 and a bloke, so you don't feel to left out!!

[Hidden]

Thanks to everyone for the replies,it's good that other people know exactly how life is living with this condition.A lot of people are quite ignorant as to how debilitating it can be,and just think it's just aches and pains,as you all know it's most certainly not.At the moment I'm having to lay on pillows because of the pain in my right hip,it's the only way to try and get comfy and get something like a good night's sleep.Glad I found this site and feel that's it's going to be very useful.Thanks once again.

[Gigi71]

Hi Gary. Welcome to this great forum, I hope you have browsed some of the previous posts, most likely if you have a problem, someone else will have it too and can offer advice. I have both conditions and a few more as had the disease for 33 years. Take care G X

[CarolyneJA]

Hi Gary - I'm in Nova Scotia but love this forum. RA and severe knee osteo - same timeline as you re osteo. Welcome, Carolyne

[sjhewitt42]

Welcome Gary. You will find this forum fab for knowledge, empathy and humour. Just what’s needed when no one else understands. Sarah x

[crazylady57]

Hello Gary. It's always tough when you discover you have RA. You think all sorts of horrendous things. I've had mine 30 years now, You have days that are a bit rough, but you do come through it, you learn to live with it. Different medications come and go, some suit some don't. Good luck with it all.

[SpanishSenorita]

Hi Gary. I'm new on here too. Glad the meds are helping you. Do you work? If so, how do you manage with your RA/OA?..only curious as I work, only part time now due to RA/OA but find it a bit of a struggle to be honest due to the pain. What Meds are you on?

[Hidden in reply to SpanishSenorita]

Hi,yes I work 5 days a week,used to be six.I have in the past,kept myself fit,swimming,gym and cycling but not anymore,going to work is more than enough and usually by 9pm I'm ready for bed these days but I am a very determined person and try not to let things beat me,although sometimes I have to give in.My meds are,methotrexate via injection 20mg,sulphasalazine,Hydroxychloroquine, folic acid,adcal d3 and up to 8 paracetamol depending on how I'm feeling.I also have insoles made for my shoes via the hospital,i get a new pair every year,this helps to take some pressure of my instep which are quite high,get lots of pain in my feet and toes.I guess i have a fairy high pain threshold.Hope this helps.

[Pulfs]

Hi Gary I'm 1 of the ladies on here. Diagnosed 24yrs ago sero- positive RA managing condition ok with biological infusions and the usual cocktail of methotrexate and hydrochloquine. Hope yours is being controlled well and welcome to our forum. X

[TheBoys]

Hi Gary..

Good to meet you

This is a great site.

[nablur]

Hello Gary, and welcome!

[Harrypotter2930]

Hi Garyand welcome you will find loads of info on this site and lots of help. I only joined a couple of weeks ago after being diagnosed with both RA (and osteoarthritis in my knees 6 years ago) been on loads of different meds, but for the last 18 months I’ve been on biological drug abatacept which I inject at home and methotrexate injection both weekly, and I have my symptoms more or less under control now.

[NeonkittyUK]

Hi Gary and hope you find it helpful here. Some very nice and helpful experienced people to lend an ear and some great advice I always find.

[tristin]

Hi Gary this is a great place to get help. I think it is the most useful RA place on the planet. Some great caring people.

[helixhelix]

You should really check with the admin on this site before posting requests for research input. There's a pinned post on the top right called research & survey posts. Please read it.