So here it is managed a title thats the easy bit. I was diagnosed with RA in 2007 but it was a hard rocky road before I got there. My first consultant treated me like a time waster. I waited weeks to see him only to end up crying in my car before I drove home. If there was nothing wrong with me why was I in so much pain, so tired and weary and at one stage could only get out of a chair if I had half an hour to do it. Simple tasks like opening a plastic milk bottle sauce bottle etc became impossible. I had to line up bottles etc until my daughter came home and get her to open them. Anyway I am rambling. Visited my gp and he re did my bloods when I told him the consultant didnt want to see me again. Miracle of miracles the hospital contacted me and suddenlyI was on four doses of sulphasazine every day. It took at least six weeks for the meds to kick in but eventually it did. After being a patient at my local hospital RA dept and being disatisfied with the whole thing, I asked to be referred to another one 16 miles away but it is well worth it because I receive a much better level of care. Anyway sorry for being boring promise to be more amusing next time. P.s dating tip don't tell a man you have just had your first dance with you have RA. Unless you are trying to get rid of him lol.
Blog Virgin: So here it is managed a title thats the... - NRAS
Blog Virgin
That is the worse part of RA no one can see or understand the pain you are in, its painful, debilitating, frustrating and humiliating. Have a look for the blog on this site somewhere, dont know where I am now, been on this for last 2 hours, its great talking, but look for Living With Rheum by LynW, then you will understand you are not alone, but you will take comfort from it.
Take Care Lorrayne
PS been married for 23 years, forgotten what dating is! and husband doesnt dance, he did when we met, umm!
Hi Sharon - you have a familiar story to tell. Why does it take so long to diagnose and get any treatment?
I dont know why but it is frustrating. Great to have other RA sufferers to talk to.
Hi Sharon
Welcome to blog world. Never apologise for being boring when you are in fact just being honest. I have found our fellow bloggers to be a god send, It is just wonderful to know that you are not alone, and you pick up so much helpful info. Take care
Sue x
Hi Sharon
I know how you feel but it will get better. How are you getting on with the sal pills. I have been taking them for over ten years and feel that now they are not working. Next time I see my hospital I am going to see if they can give me a change. Some days I feel like giving up but then the sun shines and it gets better, once you feel the warm rays you will be happier.
Brian
Hi Sharon
Another familiar story, sad but often told unfortunately. I deal with RA in much the way it deals with me! It has given me a b****y hard time over the last 23 years but I will not give in to it. (says she with a massively swollen knee and barely able to walk!).
The reason for the delay in referrals and diagnosis is many fold.
1) Doctors receive only about half a day's training in Muscular-Skeletal disorders in Year 1 of their training.
2) Most people don't approach their GP immediately assuming the stiffness, tiredness etc. is down to the decorating, gardening or whatever. We don't think these silly problems could be representative of a chronic llness. Why would we? We are, after all, healthy individuals!
2) The early symptoms of RA could be due to a large number of causes and so we may make 3 or more trips to the GP who prescribes Ibuprofen then an anti inflammatory or two until his repertoire is exhausted.
3) Then comes the consultant, perhaps six months down the line and at a time when everything is well and truly out of control. He does the required tests awaits the results and there follows a diagnosis and a prescription.
Try to remain positive, life opens new doors as we journey along our merry way. RA is our travelling companion we have no choice but to travel with it. That doesn't mean it can control us ... but that is up to us 
Lyn x
Hi Sharon, and welcome i think most of us are virgin bloggers and just pleased to find people who understand! i am a big waffler who is probably making my right wrist much worse by blogging away! My G.P. gave me diclac and sent me away! Both she and I convinced ourselves that my pain was due to a VERY stressful year (that would have to be a book not a blog) to cut a long story short my GP was away the next time and the locum sent me for blood tests and the rest is history! She seemed more upset than me when she rang to give me the news, I really had'nt a clue (even though my aunts hav it) Funny when I was diagnosed it just got very bad very quick within 3 months I could'nt walk from my front door to the gate! Anyway with a combination of meds outlined somewhere else on this site, I am lucky to be Ok now... Hopefully I will contine to improve 'all things considered'. By the way a girl (32!!) in work who has JRA > RA just got engaged last week, he proposed on a bed in Paris, coz she was having a rest!!!!!
My very positive blog!
RA Injections
Sepsis anyone ...
