My name is Sam and I am 22 years old. I have just recently been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, and I have been put on methotrexate, I’ve been on it around 3 weeks now. I’ve been having quite bad side effects which are subsiding now but have been reassured this is quite normal.
I just wanted to write on here and see if anyone had any advice on anything at all to do with RA as to be honest I feel a little lost and feel as though I don’t fully know what is going on. I think the pandemic is also making it really difficult as it’s been difficult to reach out and I’ve been feeling quite isolated.
I’m sorry this post is a little vague I just wanted to put something on here and reach out.
Sam
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Samantha2698
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I hope you soon start to improve Samantha. I was 35 when R.A. started and now (a very youthful!) 61, but it would be nice if you spoke to anyone similar age and same med who can reassure you things will improve. I was on Mtx solo for many years and it worked great. I moved onto a biologics ten years later but still was prescribed Mtx alongside it. Hope you soon feel the benefits and you can talk to any of us here regardless of age, but hope you find some people your age group who you can have a chat with too and benefit from hearing their experiences. 💗
Hi welcome to the forum. There are people on here who have loads of knowledge. It’s hard to know what to say as you haven’t posted a specific question. The NRAS website is food and there’s loads of information on it.There isa helpline and they have literature,I usually read the information online.
The pandemic is Making everything difficult. Take care
nras.org.uk/There’s loads of good info on this & booklets on drugs & for newly diagnosed as well as a helpline, you don’t need to be member. Sorry you’ve been diagnosed so young & in the middle of Covid x
Hi after I was on methotrexate for about 6 years doing well I developed lung problems, went to see a lung consultant and iv got lung disease, it’s all on my files im on daily steroids and antibiotics iv never smoked, Boris has put me on his extremely vulnerable list, but I’m doing good and getting my vaccine next week I’m 66 and just retired last week , please ask your consultant take care xxx
Hi Sam and welcome! I'm sure that you wish that you hadn't become a member of our club but you'll find lots of support and information from people who really understand 😊I was diagnosed nearly two years ago (at 59!) but one of my jobs is teaching 121 at university level and one of my first year students last year had been diagnosed when she was a child; she was an "old hand" compared to me and was coping very well.
It's good to hear that your Methotrexate side effects are subsiding; I found the same with all my medications although occasionally I get a grotty day. Happily, they're working well for me and things are really improving.
It might seem as if most of the posts on here are about problems but that's basically because it's a safe place for us to unload to others who really "get it" and there are many out there who are doing well and getting on with their lives despite the challenges that RA can bring.
Obviously the current situation is hard on everyone and it's a really difficult time to be diagnosed so you have my sympathy.
As others have mentioned, the NRAS website has great resources and do feel free to post about anything - we'll do our best to help you. 😉
Not surprised you feel a bit vague, isolated, at sea. It’s a weird time being diagnosed with a chronic disease. My top tips are
1) Don’t over-google. There are a lot of great resources out here like NRAS.org.uk , rawarrior.com and creakyjoints.org (american) but also a whole lot of out of date rubbish. Stick to reputable sites!
2) Be nice to yourself. You may well find emotions going a bit all over the place. Well let them. You need to go through a sort of grieving process, as getting a diagnosis is life changing. So if you want to sob and feel sorry for yourself then don’t feel bad about it. But just don’t let it go on for too long before you sit up and start again.
3) Believe you will get better. Most people will, but internet forums like this one are not representative. I’ve been on this forum 10 years now and so many people quite sensibly only come here when they have problems. Everyone else if out living their life happily- a bit differently than maybe they imagined, but happily.
And sleep properly, eat well, exercise and drink lots of water!
arthursplace.co.uk its for people in their 20s with RA, they have a Facebook and Instagram page I think.
Instagram is a good place to find others with RA especially younger people, be aware though because Instagram is so visual sometimes people only most when they feel bad so be a bit careful when searching (well thats what I found).
There is here x
I've found out so much from this site, sometimes it can take a while to find the right medication but alot of the time people find the right one quite quickly, I hope methotrexate is the one for you x
Important thing is to be kind to yourself, let things out and somedays are not so good but it's only a bad day and not a bad life . X
Hi Sam welcome no question is a silly question. So this is the right place to ask anything you want were all different but one thing I will say is listen to your body test when you need to dance when you like things will get better it takes a while to find the right med for you don’t sit in silence if you don’t feel good keep pestering them I hope you feel better soon stay safe x
Welcome Sam. Great advice here for you. I am one year in though quite a bit older than you. My gp thinks I’ve had it since I was around your age with it being misdiagnosed as Repetitive Strain Injury. I wish you well. Be kind to yourself and know that things can improve. One step at a time. Rest is important and kicking stress and stressful things to the curb as best as you can. Ask and rant and whatever you feel you need to do here. Everyone here completely understands. 🤗🥰
I am 22 years old too and was diagnosed with JIA when I was 12 months old. Im also on methotrexate and have the typical ‘hangover’ feeling the whole day after I take it and I have been on it for 10 years now.
Like previously mentioned I joined Arthurs Place on facebook a couple of years ago and found it really helpful. I also recommend following Versus Arthritis on Instagram as you will find lots of accounts from young people who comment on the posts and interact with one another.
Oh great thanks so much! I joined Arthur’s place and I will check out the other one as well, it just helps to know other people are in the same situation or atleast similar xx
Welcome and you know where we are if you need support x
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