I,ve had R.A for 7 years.Does anyone else feel less confident & more anxious with this disease?
campolad: I,ve had R.A for 7 years.Does anyone else... - NRAS
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yes I do especially if I’m on my own walking, I worry that if someone walks into me I might fall or lose my balance.
No, fortunately I don’t and I’ve got osteoporosis as well. Have you looked into local support groups or even exercise and balance classes to make you feel more confident? You used to be able to get a medical referral to a gym but I don’t know if that happens any more.
Gjbrose - if you feel as worried and anxious as that look into getting yourself a set of Nordic walking poles.
If you Google you ought to be able to find a starter class in your area to get you going, they usually last for six weeks and provide the poles and everything you need and there are only usually about half a dozen people in the starter group.
You will find the poles give you a lot of confidence though especially if the ground is uneven or muddy. They take the weight off your joints too which is a help.
You could both also explain to your GP or rheumatologist how insecure you feel and ask to be referred to physio classes to work on your balance
Hi F&N, great advice! 🩷 Often a lack of exercise and movement result in a lack of confidence. I have a very stubborn determination so haven’t suffered a lack of confidence, but can see how it could do that. Some people lose their mojo, and exercise and hobbies bring it back.
I’m very much a glass half full kind of person and have never really struggled in this area before but yes I do sometimes feel less confident now. There are times when I feel like I have lost part of myself and that I have nothing to say, especially in groups of people. I sometimes feel that I’ve got nothing interesting to say because I’m consumed by this god awful disease. I keep telling myself that I’ll get back to the old me once I’ve found the right medication and I hope this is the case, I really do.
I really relate to this. I have always been a do-er and been positive about life, even when challenged. I have had other health conditions for many years and lived well with them but this has floored me.
I would like to know what you are an xious about and what makes you feel less confident Also how old you were when the RA started then I can answer I also think that doing things you love and keeping up with friends and family is always good Also ask about everything and anything you want to know
I’m curious how you view the connection between age and onset of symptoms types in with anxiety, etc? I was diagnosed with the pediatric version of RA at age 7, and have gone through many cycles of remission, or at least improvements in symptoms, but I think my coping mechanism has been denial for the most part, at least when the symptoms are not too bad. I’ve had the longest stretch ever of ongoing symptoms over the past five years even with all the incredible medications available these days. On the other hand, I am much more aware of systemic issues than I was earlier in life, and that is worrying.
Well people who have chronic illness or any type of disability diagnosed when they young tend to move on and get on with the things they can do once they have got through the initial period of accepting and learning about their own body and maybe making a few adjustments to their expectations and the way they live their life. Older people are used to being able to doing everything they want to and find changes harder to accept Obviously people's personalities vary and some people are more prone to anxiety than others. Also I am not dure eat they are anxious about Is it walking or balance Is it social situations or work issues is it relationships or medication issues?? I can help better if I know this!
No….Accept what you have & do your best to deal with it….but most of all don’t expect to experience every nasty symptom you read about.
We all have our own way of dealing with RA & the way that suits you is the right way. Put your doubts aside & enjoy your life.
Your words have helped me more than you would ever think over the last two years AC. I definitely try to follow your mantra of getting on with life. You have also given me hope that I WILL find a better treatment one day. I have been lucky with regards to side effects but the disease itself is rampant and is not playing ball still. I strive for the day when I am back in control of my life, albeit with some limitations maybe. For the last two years RA has very much been in control and sometimes that makes my world seem very small and therefore knocks my confidence.
You have only been diagnosed with RA since 2023….so as realistically you need to stay on a Dmard for say 6 months …unless of course the side effects are completely unacceptable….to know if it is going to suit you….so hang on in there….& look forward to finding your special medication….don’t sit & fret…..do try to keep up friendships….don’t hide away & expect friends always to come to you…..get out there & make the most of every opportunity.
Hope 2025 is your lucky year💃
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the Wren Project are a great self referral group who can give you 6 sessions over 12 weeks to discuss your RA, rant or discuss concerns etc. Anxiety and confidence, I feel depends on how you were before you had RA. If prone to anxiety pre RA then maybe it’s not the Ra it’s part of who you are. I have days when anxiety kicks in but usually over so many conditions it’s not just the RA. But I work through it and still do things that make me feel good.
Even sitting in a garden or a park does wonders .
Good luck 🥰
Call the NRAS helpline. They have lovely people with lots of experience you can chat to.
Yes. I understand what you are saying. I felt unreliable and not as free spirited as I had been. However as time has gone on I have understood more about what works for me and what doesn't and what I am capable of and what I'm not. I try to focus now on what I can do.
Tell your GP how you feel, they are often quite good and responsive.
Best wishes.
Yes I definitely did for the first couple of years. I think it was the shock of my body not working properly. My health had been good up to that point and suddenly there were things I could no longer do and that was scary. I felt very vulnerable. My RA is now under control and I feel much more confident again, although i am still aware that I will never be quite the same as before RA.
Yes. I've suffered from depression and anxiety for years (before i developed RA) and in addition to RA I have bilateral vestibular failure so my balance is poor, and non existent in low light. I'm fit enough at the moment to compensate, and bounce when I fall but can't help but wonder about the future as I get older.Being outdoors is my go to and really lifts my mood. I live in Cornwall and walking the coast path really helps. But uneven ground is a bit more challenging these days.
It's easy to say try to keep positive, especially if you're struggling with RA symptoms, but I hope you do find ways to make yourself feel better and more positive. Seb.
As Madison said for me yes. Terrible anxiety and lack of confidence for the first couple of years. I've always been outgoing and liked to make people laugh. That old me disappeared big time. I was anxious about the drugs, not being able to do what I used to do, being a burden to my hubby. Now I still get anxious sometimes but nowhere near as bad as I was.
When I was first diagnosed and read about RA in the booklets I was given it scared the life out of me. The rheumy nurses didn't help, don't eat this, stay away from anyone with bugs, pace yourself, just 30 minutes of an activity like gardening etc. when you can do it. Worrying about the drugs they were putting me on.
I do still get anxious at times, it's a massive learning curve. I was a worrier before RA, worried about everything especially catching COVID as it was during lockdown times. I guess I'm getting more used to it now. I can say no if I'm not up to stuff. I just live life as well as I can.
I do worry about my health much more than I used to as I was always 'a doer' no I'm a i'll do it when I can, most things in life aren't that urgent.
I did CBT counselling and it helped a bit. I do meditation now every day and that helps.
Like someone's said ring the NRAS helpline. Or the WREN project. Talking helps.
This group was and still is a massive help to me as people get where you are coming from. I hope you can get help to ease your anxiety. X
When I was first diagnosed and early days of treatment felt like I had lost control of my life, which made me anxious and depressed (took anti-depressants for this ) now decades on much less so. Your feelings are typical so look for ways to control as much as possible in your life. I used talking therapy which I was able to access by phone locally helped me learn to cope with the pain I had at the time.
Specialist nurse told me years ago my having researched and got my questions answered went a long way to me taking responsibility for my health. I ask for help I have a lovely home help which is very helpful for many chores. I learned my go to support for differing things, health RA advice line, and GP (mostly econsult) my home help, shopping housework etc. Family very specific asking for help, and explanation of how I am.
This site is wonderful got me me through so much.
All the best
Yes to both unfortunately ☘️
The initial worry about what is happening to you can cause anxiety and lack of confidence, especially if you know anyone severely affected by it. And these days, most patients do have more knowledge of the ups and downs of the disease - as you must be aware by your contribution to this forum.
But there is help from various sources - your rheumatology department should be able to point you to those able to help with anxiety, or perhaps your GP who may be monitoring your blood tests could also help. But don’t let it build up - stress is a big enemy for those with auto-immune diseases.
I’m a long term rheumatoid patient and am lucky to have excellent support - but there have been times during flares when I have felt rather “down”. Don’t despair, the treatment once established is much better these days and you will soon get into a satisfactory routine. The early days are always the most trying!
I wish you the very best of health and a long active life.
Bienassis
I am showing this photo from an app ad that came up about anxiety but the first paragraph makes such sense . Knowing where it came from …….
Anxiety
No I don’t. I’ve had RA for nearly 15 years and have also recently been diagnosed with osteoporosis as well. Mostly the RA has been well controlled but I have had a few bad flare ups. I guess by nature I’m quite positive and have just made any adjustments to daily living that I needed to. Re balance, I don’t have good balance but use a stick or poles when out for a walk and have started going to chair Pilates classes which I hope is going to help.
Hi I didn’t leave my house for nearly 2 years during Covid as was so scared having suppressed immune system. My life has changed a lot from finally getting diagnosed and I had talking therapies a few times. I’m now trying to build confidence as my mental and physical health took a battering. Nobody knows how you feel and how you struggle (even professionals ) don’t always understand. Wren project was good 👍 and NRAS helpline always helpful and listen. I belong to a support group which really helps. I do find this group supportive too. I try not to think about medication side effects as have to be on them. My husband has a suppressed immune system and never bats an eyelid about anything-he’s very laid back ! We’re all different. If you feel anxious though don’t hesitate to get support. Xxxx
