Hello and reply to Charisma

[bubblyalex]

Hi. Hello everyone. Yes I joined when I couldn’t sleep. And yes it seems like I do. Rheumatoid. I think I posted elsewhere but not sure now. I go to hospital on Thurs for steroid injection into the knees and start Sulfasalazine. Nervous as heck to be going out at all let alone all of this. It’s been a year long journey to diagnosis ...from what was a simple fall partially tearing my PLC to both my knees being up the spout and heading into a wheelchair before I started prednisilone. I’ve been on pred 20mg a day since January. I am quite devastated to be honest. This comes at the end of a horrible 3 years where my husband of 25 yrs left me and became a horrible horrible person. I lost my mum 6 months later and had to go through a horrendous divorce where he used our son to get at me constantly.... anyway it’s a long story and I have to remind myself that worse things can happen.

So it remains I had my NHS letter because of the pred and also because of severe asthma even though that is under control. I haven’t hit 50 yet and rather feel like even though I have a new life it sure isn’t going to be one that is rosy. I had been hoping that the issues I had were still consequential to the knee fall but the second opinion consultant says not so.

Best wishes to you all. Weird times eh!

[sylvi]

Bless you darling you have had a really rough spell of it. You will get there with the RA darling, but it will take time so be patient. xxxx

[bubblyalex in reply to sylvi]

Thank you Sylvi. I hope you are managing ok?

[dawkin_S]

I am very sorry to hear what a lousy time you've been having, how awful for you. It sounds like you are over the brow of the hill now though - a better time is hopefully just beginning for you.

As Sylvi says, you will get there with the treatment for your RA - it can be a long process but once you find the right medication it makes such a huge difference. I've said before but I went from lying in pain on the sofa, unable to hold a fork to eat my food, to being able to go to work, go on long walks, etc. I'm 47 myself, and it does seem so unfair when RA strikes, doesn't it, but trust me - your life is not over, not by a long way! Keep your chin up, and there's always someone here for you on those days when you can't.

[bubblyalex in reply to dawkin_S]

Thank you. It is so bizarre how things can strike. Thank goodness for the treatments there are compared to a few decades ago. I really do need this to be the lowest point now.

[Lolabridge]

So sorry to hear you've had a rotten time and hope that the steroid injections give you immediate relief. Yes going out will feel a bit scary after being in isolation but hospitals are taking extra care to protect their patients as they are returning to normal operations.

[charisma]

Sometimes life’s road gets extra tough but we get through it; it passes and we come out stronger.

Sorry to hear about your particular pain of many kinds at present . Quite a high dose of steroid you are on; no sign of reducing it eg by taking pain killers till proper diagnosis and see what happens?

I am divorced too. Horrible process even though each one is different. Keep your head up, you’re surviving. x

[bubblyalex in reply to charisma]

It’s so bizarre and these knocks still keep coming at me. I seriously want it to stop now. I am not by nature a negative person but the last three years have really been enough. Am exhausted from all of it and just want to it to stop and let me live. The pred is a high dose and I’m on max pain pills too. We have tried twice to drop my dose and it literally within two days took me back to not being able to get up on to my knees. I’m on max codeine paracetamol and naproxen. I drop anyone of them a little and it’s back to zero sleep and too much pain. Crazy crazy! Sorry I’m ranting. I still don’t know that I believe it yet. Big hugs 🤗

[charisma in reply to bubblyalex]

Rant all you like, that is part of being here. I hope you get diagnosis soon in spite of lockdown. You really need appropriate meds and the relief of knowing there’s a way ahead. x

[bubblyalex in reply to charisma]

Thank you charisma. X

[Jetxav]

Hello Bubblyalex

I can relate to your problems and am so sorry life has not been kind to you by the sound of it. I sit here with ice packs on my face and jaw (neuralgia ) and in my knee (waiting for a replacement) and know too well how our lives can be turned upside down by Rheumatoid, amongst many other horrible diseases. Wether or not Sulphasalazine will help remains to be seen but, I am not right person to advise on this instance as it turned out I had quite an adverse reaction to that drug and many others. Every drug is trial and error I am afraid but when they do work for you it can be life changing. All the best and do keep us updated on your progress.

[bubblyalex in reply to Jetxav]

It certainly does seem that I am not alone. Reading some of your stories and continued difficulties is not good to hear. Hugs to you and to everyone. I hope you get what you need and quickly!