Newbie here...

Hello all I am new on here, trying to find courage and strength to climb out of a bloody big dark hole, I am in..!!! Been on a downward slope since being diagnosed with RA, Fibromyalgia and sjogrens 😥three injections every week,,, insomnia meds, steroids etc weight issues, and that’s just the tip of the isberg 🙈........HOWEVER I am here breathing and thankful for everyday😊💞 xx

[Nessa28]

Good morning to you . Well you've done the hard bit and said hello 👏👏 it gets so much easier from now on . Not your RA etc but your coping mechanisms as you have us . Welcome this is a font of information and people who understand , don't judge and are walking a similar journey . Nice to say welcome . 🤗🌷

[Hidden in reply to Nessa28]

Awww thank you😊👍🏻 That’s a lovely reply xx

[sylvi]

Welcome to our glorious site and it is a font of useful information and some useless as well(well we have to laugh don't we). xxxx

[Hidden in reply to sylvi]

Aww I hope so,,, I am hoping to spread a little humour myself once I warm up,,, friends tell me it’s in there somewhere still 😊👌🏻Xx

[Bootoo]

good morning, sorry feeling so down it takes a while to get your head round things but you'll find your way up.. this forum is a great place moan , laugh , or just get brilliant advice , there is always someone who will try to help.. hope your day goes ok

[oldtimer]

It sounds as if you are already starting to climb out of that dark pit that so many of us recognise! Keep posting and asking for support if you need it, and also ask any questions if they occur to you - lots of experience on here.

Mostly people here post when they have a problem so it does sometimes feel as if everyone has problems - but there are also lots of people just getting on with their medication and their lives who only occasionally cheer us up by posting.

[Mmrr]

The trick is to keep breathing and things do get easier. Welcome.

[helixhelix]

Welcome. For me the bit post diagnosis was the worst ever, as symptoms not controlled plus I worried myself stupid about all sorts of things. (None of which ever happened!).

Be kind to yourself, this is a big thing to come to terms with so don't expect to be superwoman about it. But try not to comfort yourself with eating, as weight gain is a bitch with steroids. Could you go for a walk when you feel particularly miserable? I find being outside, especially in spring, is uplifting even when all I could manage was a 50 yard shuffle.

[Hidden]

Hi, check the info that comes with your meds to see if there is any conflict between them. I might try emergency room, or another doctor specialist, the only thing with this is he will want to know what you are taking, and might say to stay on what you are on. Insist on something else to try!

[hatshepsut]

Welcome, you're at the start of a journey. Do hope you get some help and support from this forum, we've all been there....and have survived.

It's so overwhelming at first, don't be afraid to ask questions , knowledge is power on this marathon, and there's no such thing as a silly query....if you need to know, ask!!

Take care, everything takes a long time with these diseases, so no quick fixes, but long-term great prospects for effective treatment.

[Hidden in reply to hatshepsut]

Awww thank you for replying with such a positive message 😊 x

[robsim]

Welcome to the club. Lots going on but we are alive so we are gifted.

Against all odds remain positive.

[Leics]

Welcome we’ve all been where you are and some of us still there. Sounds like you’ve got the fighting spirit you’ll need on your journey to acceptance. A smile uses less muscles than a frown so they say. You’ll be kicking ass soon and feel free to post whenever you need to. Most of all welcome to our happy site. Xx

[Liggle]

Welcome to the site that helps and listen to us all , just pour out to us all and many will have good ideas, all of us have low’s sometimes RA is not a death sentence, there are so many different medication, the rumy will help sort what will work for you , we all have bad days thinking of you Elizabeth x

[Hidden in reply to Liggle]

That’s good to know ,,, xx👌🏻🤗

[BonnieT]

Hang in there. It’s not an easy journey.

[carmenp1]

Hi HippoJo123, I know how you feel but it will get better. Hoping that sharing my good results helps you. Blood test came back with very low vitamin D. Started taking Vit. D tablets every day and found the fibro pain dramatically reduced. I take Q10 supplements too daily. There is no cure. Try not to succumb to becoming immobile as I did. If you can manage to be active and gradually increase over time you will feel better in the long term and you will begin to lose the weight. I gained 10kilos. Have gone from stuck on the couch for over 4 years to being active most days. I have lost 7kilos. Feel better mentally and physically. D-ribose supplement helped greatly at the beginning. Now I just take the Q10 and Vit. D.

Hope you start to feel better.

[Hidden in reply to carmenp1]

Ahhhh thanks for this,,, it all just seems so uphill trudging and such a huge effort for my body ... after working full time I simply haven’t anything left in my tank to move or even hold great company.. I have always been a socialite but this past couple of years I have totally gone like a timid mouse who you see every now and then... it’s like I see people and automatically hibernate ..!! Xx😞

[carmenp1]

Listen to your body. But don't hibernate because of depression or weight gain as I did. It is not healthy to become isolated. Try to go out. It may be hard but even a short outing surrounded by friends and family can perk you up mentally.