saw my GP and she thinks that I am having panic attacks..so have been prescribed bet-blockers..feel like I am forever at the doctors and now feeling like I am some saddo who can't handle things..not impressed..
Can I also ask do you know if some people who have RA never take any tablets but say they have it?
Thanks xxx
Well taking the tablets is only advisable not enforceable Rockpool so I'm sure there are plenty of people out there who have been diagnosed but have decided to turn their backs to the meds or try to find alternatives. It's not as if taking MTX or other DMARDs or biologics is like taking a couple of aspirin a week is it so we all think hard before just accepting this route I believe? I was told by my aunt that my cousin has RA but chooses to carry a hip flask of whisky instead of taking the meds. I think you have to be quite courageous to sign up to the drug option although I'm sure people who reject this route see themselves as being the brave ones - it depends on your perspective of course but it's my view that it takes more guts to take these drugs than otherwise.
I do hope the Beta Blockers work well for you. I have a friend who is having panic attacks about getting older at the moment and he has just started on them too. Tilda xx
Hi Tilda what you say is very true...feel I am still at sea with it all..feel like I am taking tablets for the side effects of the tablets. I have really shortened my friends list as I feel I either can't be bothered with the 'chin up' etc. Arrange to go for coffee and then find I am not feeling well so cancel..they are fed up of it..Thank you for making things all more sense and being supportive. Fiona xxx
I really wouldn't worry too much about haunting the GP's surgery at the moment, it's hard to come to terms with having this disease so get what help you can and which works for you. You'll probably find that things change soon, and you can cope again.
As for people who say they have the disease and don't take drugs...... As Tilda says, it's a personal choice and some chose not to. But I think if you spoke to some of the people who had RA before the drugs were available and are now having to cope with very damaged joints you'd hear that they really, really wished they'd had the opportunity that we have. You also need to remember that RA comes if different strengths, so maybe there are some people with very mild RA who can manage without drugs at the moment and where the damage is only progressing very slowly, and they're doing a lot to keep themselves healthy as well. It can take many years to develop fully. But if someone says they have or had RA and have cured it using some special herbal remedy I personally wouldn't believe a word of it! Pollyx
Thank you Polly as I said to Tilda..I feel all at sea with the way I feel etc. I have been told that my inflammation level has risen and now is in a severe phase..funny thing is I was feeling better..how odd. Thank you too for answering my questions as all I do is ask things at the moment. My GP says that I should have been feeling the benefit by now..and I said it takes 12 weeks so that is why I am getting steroid jabs..she didn't know :/ good job I have this site to fall back on and my Rheumy nurse. I am going to the podiatrist tomorrow to see about my feet. Take care Fiona xxx
Don't feel alone Fiona - we all feel all at sea most of the time here I'm sure even those who have had a long time to get used to the idea of having RA. I'm feeling very panicky about seeing my rheumy on Thursday for the first time since diagnosis 8 months ago and trying to list all the things I need to speak to him about in terms of priority - especially since I'm the last patient of the day and he will be tired.
I too have a high ESR and yet I have very little pain (a lot of stiffness currently though) which is strange but I think it's just one of those anomalies and is definitely the better way round from the point of view of being taken seriously. I never show inflammation anyway so rather glad my blood reveals it at least even if it means I don't know where abouts it is?! TTx
Hi Tilda...that is kind of you thank you for being so supportive. Good luck with your appointment and hope you get all your questions answered too..are writing them down..I find that helps and take the list with you? How are you on your drugs..I saw your post about your muscles sore..are they feeling any better?
Feel like I don't say much to my family as it scares my girls who are 23 and 15 and they don't really know what to say apart from an welcome hug :D. It is strange I look really well though feel really unwell..think if the stomach would stop the rolling and aching I would feel better.
Take care and let me know how you get on Fiona xx
Yep it's Monday and I don't take MTX until a Tuesday night so the weekends and Monday and Tuesday are usually fine. My physio said that aches are just muscular or soft tissue and those aren't actually doing harm and show that good has been achieved by exercise! She said sciatica and soft tissue pains around the bum and thighs are just normal for people who walk a lot and do a lot of exercise but for those with RA we are likely to feel it more because our nerves and muscles are more sensitive. This shouldn't in anyway stop me from doing the walking and the exercise because it can only be good for me so that's made me feel pretty good. She said to ask rheumy about percussion of noise when I move around because this could relate to my high ESR possibly or be RA related. I like my physio - she's the only person I meet who makes me feel normal about having RA and helps me to accept it more. She seems to understand how at sea I often feel and somehow grounds me by just saying "yes that's the RA I would think" and that's alll I need really. I don't speak about it much to my boys aged 20, 17 and 15 for the same reason. I think it's harder when we get this thing and they are older because they find it as hard if not harder to accept than we do? Tilda x
Hi Fiona, I've asked people who have mentioned in conversation that they have arthritis 'which type, rheumatoid or osteo?' - reply has often been 'oh, I don't know, I just know I've got arthritis'. (The conversation has been started by them when they've asked why I am wearing wrist supports).
Sometimes blood tests dont always coincide with what we are feeling. Sometimes pain can be high but the bloods take a while to actually catch up with this, so it probably works in reverse, i.e. you are feeling a bit better but your bloods haven't caught up.
Have they prescribed anything for your stomach? If they haven't you may find that something along this elk might help. (Yeah would mean another tablet)
Hope you get to feel better soon
Judi xxxxxxx
Anyone had a wrist replacement?
panic attacks?
Anyone been in for a blood test?
Having a bit of a panic! 
Does anyone know ...? 
