28 Newly Diagnosed

Hello there

My name is Gaz and ive had RA for 17 yrs.

I'm 60 now, i am currently on methotrexate 12.5mgs weekly and humira injections( self administered) once every 2 weeks when i first started on the humira injections approx 14 yrs ago the drug was fairly new. My consultant told me i was among the first in Cumbria on it.

It was life changing!!!

I thought my working life was over.

Self employed builder. Hadnt worked in a long time

Started taking humira, back at work within a month " honest" and was back full on.

You do have to keep altering your meds as you go on, with me it was allways messing about with mtx intake along with my consultants approval of course.

Tha pain over the last couple of yrs has got worse but you just have to find the right p/killers thats best for you. I am currently looking into the CBD stuff your on about but not the one thats available here as its to diluted and is ineffective to the pain we have. The one im talkung about is the oil extract of the plant thats legal in Netherlands and certain states of USA.

I will let you know how i get on if you like.

Cheers and keep positive.

Hi, I was diagnosed about 15 years ago with seronegative RA, started on Sulfasalazine being on that ever since, and added to that about 7 months ago was Benepali a biological medication that was after trying methotrexate which I could not tolerate, I don't think diet is relevant to RA as in making it worse or improving it, and I think people are on medication for life with RA from what I understand, seems the best treatment for RA is biological drugs, but you have to have tried other medications first without much success, or they have stopped working, find out as much as you can about RA it's a whole body autoimmune disease you'll probably get regular blood test which is best if you sort of understand what they mean things like CRP and PV relating to inflammation, and RA can cause anaemia etc, anyway good luck.

I am a believer in trigger foods. I am on Mtx,, folic acid, and 5000iu vitamin d. I was having flares every 10 days that would last for several days. I started charting my food and drink.  By process of elimination, I suspected high fructose corn syrup was the culprit. I cut it out COMPLETELY along with tomato based foods and my flares are all but gone. Diet is crucial so pay attention to what you are eating and how you are feeling. 

My rheumy has talked about getting me off the MTX, but he is hesitant to act because of how well I am doing. Maybe in the near future, hoping. Good luck. 

My story is similar to yours, I was diagnosed with RA about a year ago and very quickly put on Methotrexate and Hydroxychloroquine, however you are so young , I am 74...........I am on the same drug dose, 2 Hydro' daily and 8 methotrexate once a week along with a daily folic acid,  all orally . Also, I initially complained of a right knee pain and after a blood test was told I had RA.  I suspect I may be on drugs for the rest of my relatively short life but the good news is I feel 100%, perhaps a little stiffness in my finger joints but I can still play my guitar with bands and play average golf. I have never had a sleep problem and would never take drugs if I didnt have to. I have always tried to eat anything I like in moderation but I have a very good wife that looks after me more than I deserve and I think an active life is important.  Stay away from worry and negativity and try to enjoy life.  Good luck.

I've had RA for about 15 years now, and the meds have never stopped. So, unfortunately, you will most probably be on meds the rest of your life. Sorry! 

I have a lot of sleeping issues. I'm not sure if it is because of RA or the meds. I have trouble falling asleep most nights, and generally, wake up a few times in the night. It's quite annoying because I'm tired when I wake up and that is not a fun way to start your day! I have tried herbal and medical sleeping aids, nothing has helped.

I realise that I have not given even a single piece of good information here. Sorry for being such a downer!

Hi. I was diagnosed at 30 (5 yrs ago). I’ve been on methotrexate since and had very few side effects (some nausea so now I’m injecting it instead of pills). My pain is loads better now but it did take a year or so of messing around with the dose before it helped.

I have problems sleeping when I’m flaring and prednisone is very bad for sleep.

Personally I don’t think that diet has a big impact on many people with RA hence why my rheumatologist said to ignore anecdotal dietary evidence. I think Turmeric is probably useful as it has had some proper scientific research showing clinically significant improvements.

Good luck