Newbie - Just wanted to say hello and introduce myself. Flare Up at the moment so not feeling great.

[lilolil]

Hi All

I have been on this sight for a few weeks now, reading all the lovely posts and seeing the great advice and support given. So I thought it was about time to introduce myself and share with you my experience.

I was diagnosed with RA March 2011, just two months after giving birth to my second gorgeous baby boy - oh and my lovely c-section. I was falling apart, I was quickly seen, diagnosed and they are treating it aggressivley.

I am 34yrs and I work selfemployed. I have two lovely boys - who are very energetic at now 10 months and 33 months.

The RA at the moment has forced me to give up work totally as a yoga tutor and holistic therapist, my hands are badly effected as through the RA I also suffer with Carpel Tunel. I am on Meth injection, hydroxy, sulfasalazine, diclofenac, folic acid and paracetamol when required. I have my good and bad days and at the moment I am having a flare up....so not so good. I have found the emotional side to be the hardest it has turned my whole world upside down and I have felt very lonely - despite having an amazing family. But now I found this site I hope that is all about to change.

Hope you are all feeling good today.

Lisa x

[Gina_K]

Hi lil,

Welcome, see you have been lurking as they say, which is a good idea on a new site. It is a lonely disease in many ways. At least on here you can say anything and not feel foolish.

I am sure it must be awful putting your career on hold, not to mention managing your two boys. There seems to be a lot of young mums on here and middle-aged women, which always leads me to think there might be a link or trigger to fluctuating oestrogen levels triggering this condition.

Your treatment at the moment seems spot on . Good luck and look forward to hearing more from you.

Regards, Gina.

[Hidden]

Hi Lisa,

Wow, me too!! diagnosed feb 2011 after giving birth last november, then exactly the same medications as you, I think it's the best way to deal with it as long as you can tolerate it, I am now on an anti-tnf Enbrel, been 11 weeks now and am much much better and going back to work on 1st Nov....you'll get there to

sorry to hear your having a difficuly time, hope it passes soon and to copy Gina, look forward to hearing more x

[Hidden]

Welcome.. lisa, as you can see there are others who developed RA after giving birth.. and you can see how well they are doing now.. keep going.. we have all been there at the beginning things will improve with the right treatment

Best wishes

Alison x

[sylvi]

Welcome lisa, what a shame that ra has hit you after giving birth. Congrats on the birth of your son.Just when you should be enjoying your baby you get hit with ra. You will find lovely people of all ages on here and i look forward to hearing more of you and your family.

Take care

Sylvia. xx

[lilolil in reply to sylvi]

Hi Sylvia

Thanks for your post. I read yours only last night, sorry to hear you are feeling so angry and down at the moment. It seems RA is just so random and effects so many things you never have two days the same. I dont know if im coming or going either and have to depend on others to do things that I would normally have the pleasure of doing myself. I miss simple things like dropping my little boy off at nursary without feeling wiped out before the mornings end. I miss trawling round the shops without paying for it for days. The sight and the people on it are helping me through the days at the mo'. Looking forward to our journey all together and getting to know more.

Thanks

Lisa

[sylvi]

We will all be here for you lisa, Things like trawling the shops is hard work for me as well. I can't drive,dance or work,which makes it very hard. I'm getting there and with all the lovely people on here i will survive, as the song says.

Sylvia. xxx

[Julie1]

Welcome,This sight has helped me not to feel alone,my family are great to but to be intouch with others who can identify with me has been so supportive.Its wonderfull that new people are comeing on as shared experiences and just to say how your feeling is of great benifit .Thank you .