First Post

[Ryshta]

Hi all, although this is my first post I have visited this site for the last 2 1/2 years.

I was diagnosed with RA. Just as covid hit, I went from a healthy 52 year old to literally not being able to get out of bed overnight. I have never experienced pain like it, and I spiralled quickly in to a very dark place, as due to covid restrictions treatment was stalled and I was left pretty much on my own to deal with this curve ball life had thrown me.

I made the huge mistake of getting locked in my own head, that coupled with DR Google and not being able to be given treatment at that time I experienced my first mental breakdown, something I never saw coming or have ever experienced before. So I found myself bed bound for 3 months, not being able to leave the bedroom for fear of pain and what my mind had wrongly taken in from all the Google scare stories, like I wouldn’t walk again, I couldn’t work, life would never be the same!!!

And you know what no life wasn’t ever tge same, but 2 years later I am definitely out of the dark, out of the bedroom, out of pain for most parts. I work, albeit part time now and not such a demanding role, I look after my 3 grandchildren and yes despite google, I can pick them up and push them on swings, I drive, I walk over an hour a day with my puppy, I travel and I am greatful that my first biologic over a year ago Adalimumab for now has worked it’s magic. Ok I get flares, which I take pain medication for but are mild and pass and yes I am far more tired then I used to be and yes I’m a lot slower and a little more awkward but there’s nothing I haven’t been able to do albeit maybe a little differently now.

I am aware this may be short lived or it may not, but for now I am in drug induced remission and life…. Well yes life did change, but it’s still good!!!

I just wanted to let all of you who are starting out and maybe in that dark place, not to lose hope, keep going, that magic bullet is out there. Strength to you all!!!

[springcross]

Hi Ryshta and welcome. So glad you're out of that dark place now and long may that continue for you.

[Ryshta in reply to springcross]

Thank you Springcross, and thank you for the welcome. This site was such a source of comfort and wisdom when I was struggling that I promised when I felt better I would post to give others who are feeling the same some hope., like previous posts I read on here did for me.

[springcross in reply to Ryshta]

I'm sure it will be appreciated.

[medway-lady]

A good post I always say I live with RA I don’t suffer with it. But of course some sadly do, in time hopefully we will all get remission and targeted treatments mean that medications work better and faster for everyone. Your so right Dr Google can be misleading , very frightening and is best avoided.

[Ryshta]

thank you Medway lady, I am not ashamed to admit I let the diagnosis and the naivety of the disease consume me for the first year. Failed medication and DMARDS that unfortunately for me made me extremely poorly, but I tried to focus on the posts on here, that hopefully something works for all of us, and I just feel sometimes that positive post that says I’m good, this worked for me, no it hasn’t been an easy journey but life can be good.

[bpeal1]

Great to hear good news stories. Glad you are in a much better place.

[Ryshta]

thank you bpeal1

[Oshgosh]

I’m relieved you have left the dark place. Well done x

[Ryshta]

Thank you Oshgosh, that’s very kind.

[Sheila_G]

Hi. I am glad you are in a better place now. This is a great post. It is very honest and very inspiring for newbies and oldies alike. Well done. Thank you.

[Ryshta in reply to Sheila_G]

Hi Sheila_G, thank you for your kind words. Sometimes as the journey gets easier we forget how bad it was along the way, and if the post gives a little hope to just one person, it’s worth it.

[Haz58]

Thank you for posting Ryshta it gives us that are still trying different meds hope! X

[Ryshta in reply to Haz58]

Thank you Haz58, there were many times I struggled with hope, but we keep going don’t we, and we need to, because we all deserve a life as pain free as possible, as I said it took me 2 years of trials and tribulations and some really painful times where I just cried and cried, but I can honestly say my days are so different now, and I hope you find those days…. Keep going, and keep positive and smile at even the little things.

[GinnyE]

What a journey you've had. But an inspiration.

[Ryshta in reply to GinnyE]

Awww GinnyE, thank you, it has indeed been a journey, and one I’m sure I will have to continue on, but I do it these days with hope and the knowledge that something worked once, so if it starts to fail something will work again!.

[SheilaT3271]

That’s really inspiring to hear. Well done for pushing through and for your honesty about how difficult it was - so great to hear.

[Ryshta in reply to SheilaT3271]

Thank you SheilaT3271, sometimes you think should I write anything because everyone who is struggling right now may not want someone coming along saying how good it can be, but it’s for those people I wrote it, to let them know, I was that person, I’ve lived it and still am but there are better days, even through tge darkest ones.

[stbernhard]

Welcome Ryshta, it's always a pleasure to see good news hope giving post on here.

Do you know about NRAS? The National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society has a great website with information on all aspects of living with RA. I am in remission for many years now and managing very well, but still find new things to learn and adapt on their interactive modules like SMILE-RA etc. Well worth a look if you haven't already done so.

Thanks for your positive post.

[Ryshta in reply to stbernhard]

Thank you for the welcome Stberhard, I do know about NRAS, thank you, and I’m really pleased to hear you have been in remission for many years, once you are in it my consultant advised, it’s keeping you in it!!!! So it’s good to hear that can be achieved, thank you.

[Otto11]

That’s great news so pleased for you. I was on Humira for 12 years & it worked really well for me x

[Ryshta in reply to Otto11]

Hi Otto11 thank you for the reply, that is really positive to hear!!!! I hope you are well now also. X

[Otto11 in reply to Ryshta]

Thanks. I’m currently on a different Biologic called Abatacept & doing ok thanks. X

[Green230461]

Welcome and congratulations on such an uplifting post. Take care🌈 I was on humira for 11 years and it was great

[Ryshta in reply to Green230461]

Thank you for the welcome Green230461. And good to hear about the 11 years, I will keep my fingers crossed, now I can ha.

[Mmrr]

What a lovely post 💚

[Ryshta in reply to Mmrr]

thank you Mmrr

[Monkeysmum]

Nice to meet you Ryshta, and even nicer to hear how well you are doing now. I think the mental impact of RD is often understated or even forgotten about, and the timing for you couldn’t have been any worse coinciding with lockdown. It’s a testament to your strength that you got through it and came out the other side.

[Ryshta in reply to Monkeysmum]

Hi Monkeysmum, thank you for the welcome, and the understanding. It was a very dark place ti be and you are exactly right we had just gone in to lockdown so the world seemed a very scary place back then, and the same month you are diagnosed with a long term illness which is painful and debilitating, and the hen I’m told I couldn’t have the drugs I was supposed to start on because of this new virus!…. Suddenly I’m in a world where Im classed as vulnerable and couldn’t get to see anyone to discuss my fears and this pain that had taken over the whole of my body. I didn’t feel very strong back then, and that’s why I felt now was the right time to post on this wonderful site and try and give something back. I hope you are well also x