Hi All, Just joined NRAS. I was diagnosed with RA, Hypermobility syndrome and Fibromyalgia in June 2013 but I was having issues for 4 years before I was diagnosed which was a very frustrating time. My conditions are well under control most of the time but occasionally I struggle with my knees and feet. Morning are always a problem but I just get on with it. At the minute my left knee is swollen and really hurts.
I would love to connect with other members.
Hi Toni and welcome to the forum. You will be able to connect with several members on here as there is a wealth of knowledge and experience here. I have RA - it was diagnosed last August. I have Methotrexate (injection) and have recently started on Sulfasalazine also. What medications do you have?
Hiya, I'm on Methotrexate Injections as well. I was taking sulfasalazine but ended up in hospital because I liver stopped functioning properly, so now I'm just taking my methotrexate, naproxen, omeprazole, tramadol, pregabalin and morphine. I had surgery 8 weeks ago so thats why I have the morphine, hoping to stop it soon. How are you getting on with your meds?
Initially, I was on MTX 15 mg (and Pred) and it was working OK, then in March my rheumy doctor found that the disease was still active and upped it to 20 mg. This caused loads of hair loss over the next three months so he reduced it back to 15 mg and put me on SSZ as well. I'm in my seventh week of that but I'm not sure whether I will be staying on it as I feel absolutely shattered most of the time and I am still getting activity feelings in my hands, especially thumbs and wrists, also still getting the odd headaches and bloating. It is still early days yet so I will have to see how it goes. What was your surgery for?
Welcome this is a great forum we often share our experiences both the good and bad . You will receive great support and understanding I know I have. We moan, we laugh and help where we can.
I have RA diagnosed 4 years ago but now know was having symptoms possibly 20 years ago or more but dismissed by gp as depressed or menopause etc . Initially when first diagnosed my medication worked well but slowly that changed and 18 months ago things spiralled out of control many trials and failures on medication and things have improved but I have away to go yet.
It is hard to find the right meds. I was given sulfasalazine and it stopped my liver functioning properly, so I ended up in hospital. I'm now on methotrexate Injections and it seems to be working.
Hope things get better for you🙏
I had a severe allergic reaction to both hydroxychloroquine and sulfasalazine. I too am on MTX injections also entanercept. I’m much better than this time last year but still struggling. I will get there I’m determined 😁
Hi Toni , just back from my first trip out , so off to bed lol. Keep chatting !
Off to bed too. 🙂💤
Hope you can get settled , nighty night!
Welcome to the forum Tony ,I’ve just stopped methotrexate injections after 5 years as they were going for my lungs and liver.however still on Amgevita biological drug xxx
Hello and welcome Toni. I'm glad to hear your RA is mostly under control but sorry your knee is troubling you at the moment. I'm much the same although I've an ankle that troubles me too (osteoarthritis in that as well as the RA). Like you I'm also hypermobile, which I thought was great when I was younger as I could move and bend my body in strange ways, but now I'm paying the price of that abnormal mobility!
I'm also an NRAS member and am keen to support them. Their webinars and FaceBook Live sessions during the pandemic have been so informative and supportive of our community. I would encourage all RA sufferers to become members as they offer a great service to fellow sufferers and need our financial support.
Their magazine is good too
Hi Toni, glad to hear that your RA is generally controlled well and wish that it will continue. I am one of the lucky ones in remission. As Lola said, NRAS is a great organisation and you can find answers to so many questions on their website, well worth a look. Keep going and be kind to yourself. All the best.
Connection completed! Welcome Toni, I hope you find being here helpful. We've lots we can share & you won't be left needing for experiences either, just ask & they will be given. I was diagnosed seropositive in 2008 & prescribed many of the meds you are, plus a few others. Pleased you're mostly under control, I can empathise with troubled feet, mine do me too. In fact I’m off to see my Podiatrist in an hour, first appointment since before lockdown as they were only seeing those with open wounds. At least I’ll not be hobbling soon, me treating corns & my Podiatrist treating them is quite different!
Hi Toni. Welcome to the group. I have had RA for 18 years and been on mxt all that time. I was on other drugs as well, at the start but I have managed very well on mxt alone for several years now. I do get flare ups but I manage them. You can post on here as often as you like. It is good to be able to share our situations with others who understand how we feel. If there is anything at all you want to share, there is always someone to listen or to offer advice or understanding. x
Hi Ton y and welcome to the group and you can get lots of help when needed.I have had this awful RA for over 20 years.I have been on MTX and Sulph but mtx was not good on my liver.But plenty people on here to help when you need help
Hi Toni,
Just want to welcome you to this great forum full of fantastic & informative people who all understand what your going through. We all love to hear from everyone good or bad and help whenever we can. Stay well 🤗X
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