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Just been diagnosed with RA

Posted , 9 users are following.

clare79550
clare79550

hi everyone. So glad I found this forum. Was told I have RA a few weeks ago from GP. Have had symptoms for a few months. Mainly in my fingers and hands. Within a week I had pains everywhere. GP has given me no information whatsoever about RA. Just that I'm been referred to see specialist. I'm currently living in OZ so if my case is urgent I'll get an appointment in 3-4 weeks if not urgent it could be 6-8 months. Is this normal? Iv had to take so much time off work as I can barley get up in morning. I have no idea about the meds everyone has mentioned. Firstly GP gave me Brufen 400mg to take 3 times a day. I found these no good. Returned to GP and he gave me Celebrex 200mg twice a day. Very little relief from these either. I also have started taken Wild Krill Oil 333.33mg capsules. Not sure if these are doing anything. Iv gotten relief from a hot bath and one of them heat packs for my neck one night but I woke up next morning in terrible pain. I don't know if I'm doing right or wrong. This morning for the first time I could barley walk, my feet were affected. I have mostly pains in fingers, wrists, shoulders, neck and knees. I like going to the gym but I'm afraid of doing damage. I have cut out all fizzy drinks fatty foods. Eating more veg fruits yogurts etc. if anyone has any tips or advice I would be so thankful. I'm a 27 year old female and my Rheumatoid Factor was 61. ( have no idea if this is low or high). 

1 like, 25 replies

25 Replies

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  • lyy13133
    lyy13133 clare79550

    Posted

    You do need a reputable place. I go to acumedic because they have doctors who are registered, a GMC doctor to discuss the combination of western and eastern meds and although costly, I do have peace of mind. I can 't say it works for everyone, but I went when I felt weird inside with the RA and just couldn't feel better. I had already altered my diet as there is a suggestion a lot of RA is linked to stress and this hits the gut. So, lots of iron based foods, lots of kaffir (yoghurt) drink and out with sugar and animal fats. It is really important that  you really help your body and especially with iron, vit b and omega 3. Then I add acupuncture and chinese medicine and I really can't say often enough how well I am feeling. But it is weekly and gradual and costs. I am definitely enjoying a new lease of life. I just don't fancy MTX and the other stuff. That's just me. So, you must check out the places, get testimonials and I really hope it wrporks for you x
  • VictoriaM84
    VictoriaM84 clare79550

    Posted

    Hi Clare,

    I'm sorry you've recently been diagnosed - I'm new to this site but I was diagnosed in Nov 2013 when I was 28 so I feel your pain!

    I can't really add anything more to what the other members have said but I'm pleased you've found this site - had I known this existed back when I was first diagnosed it might have made things a little easier for me to accept that I hadRA; it's hard for friends/family to understand why in your 20's you are moaning about your joints and always feeling tired and I tried to continue like I wasn't in pain!

    As suggested if a steroid shot is offered (kenalog for me) then take it; thanks to that I was pain free for 3 weeks (most days) and I lost 2 stone of fluid that was surronding my joints!

    The weather can sometimes be painful, I was given another Kenalog shot in December as I felt like I was back to square 1!

    I hope your Rheumatologist is as helpful as mine as it's great to hear that someone actually understands and want's to actually help you!

    Take care, you will have ups and downs but the sooner you are on medication the better you will feel about everything.

    Stay positive and try not to let it get you down.

    Vikki xx

    • clare79550
      clare79550 VictoriaM84

      Posted

      Hi Victoria 

      Thanks for your reply.  Ya it is, im always moaning and groaning ha!! its draining.  I had my first visit with Rheumatologist yesterday and he wasnt convinced that i had RA.  I was out foreign over xmas and thats when the pain got really bad so had to do more bloods done and back in two weeks for results.  He did check my knees and fingers and said there was fluid in them. I live in australia and the weather is quite hot but i dont think it helps me.  Iv yet to experience cold weather with it. Oh my 2 stone of fluid. Ouch!!! Do you find your medication good? The thing im looking forward to most once this is under control is sleep. Im going to sleep for 2 days ha.

      clare

      x

    • VictoriaM84
      VictoriaM84 clare79550

      Posted

      Hi Clare,

      Sorry for the late reply!!

      I was so happy when I was given medication because I finally had an answer to why I was in so much pain and I was given something that actually helped with the pain.

      I am still happy with the medication; it's a bit of a chore going to the hospital/doctors all the time for blood monitoring and I was on and off the tablets last year because my blood results were bringing up different things.  I’m now having monthly blood monitoring which is great because my blood results seem to be settling so I try not to complain (too much) as I would go everyday rather than go back to how I was.

      Yeah the 2 stone of fluid wasn't great haha, in all honesty I thought I was overweight and I thought my joints were so painful because I was too heavy......imagine my relief 3 weeks later after the shot! 

      My sleep is almost uninterrupted now so I hope you get your 2 weeks sleep very soon haha.

      Keep me posted on how you're doing.

      ​xx

  • clare79550
    clare79550

    Posted

    Hi everyone. Finally got answers today. Rheumatoid confirmed. Relief and anger all at once. Just re read all your comments as I understand the medications now. Got lungs feet and hands x rayed today. Medication I am put on is Methotrexate 10mg, 2 tabs every Saturday. Panafcortelone 5mg, 1 1/2 tabs every day. This is only short term until pain eases. And take folic acid Monday's and Tuesdays. Will have bloods tests every couple of weeks for first few months. I also take red krill oil and evening primrose oil every day. Very sore last couple of weeks desperate for relief. Hoping to not have any side effects from medication. Hope everyone is well x
  • JeninGaUS
    JeninGaUS clare79550

    Posted

    Clare, I'm so sorry you are in so much pain.  I live in the U.S.  My RA is in the early stage.  I do have it in my blood, but all my tests show my hemoglobin usually to be low, of course, and at an anemic status.  I have changed the way I eat.  No sugar, no starch, no grains or flours.  This has dramatically reduced my pain and I'm able to walk into stores with no motorized carts.  It turns out in studying this that sugar is inflammatory in our bodies.  We are already inflamed with RA.  Please google the science of low carb high fat eating.  Good meats and good fats with leafy green veggies, and not much dairy.  But I have also lost a size in 3 months.  It is a way to eat for good health and weight loss, but my cholesterol and blood pressure is down.  I have no blood sugar problems but told I had metabolic syndrome, so sort of pre-diabetic.  I'm 57 y.o. had 2 knee replacements but now NO pain!!  It has flabbergaste me and I'm truly amazed.  I  follow Jeff Volek, Dr. Eric Westman and Steve Phinney on this way of eating.  There also support groups on LCHF on FB if you are interested to know that others are also having much less arthritis pain, no more insulin, etc.  I'm not advertising a thing here, just letting you know that cutting out sugar and starches has greatly improved my overall health and esp. my arthritis pain.  Best wishes.
  • maximilian88
    maximilian88 clare79550

    Posted

    Yes krill oil is a good start and is certainly beneficial if nothing else. the n-3 long chain fatty acids you are receiving from it - DHA+EPA, provide relief from the inflammatory systems associated with RA. However, I wonder whether you are receiving the daily recommended amount. From what I could gather, wild krill oil provides 47 mg and 28 mg of EPA and DHA respectively. I'd expect for you that you'd be looking at doses in excess of 400mg.

    Emis Moderator comment: I have removed the link as it was to a site unsuitable for inclusion in the forums. If users want this information please use the Private Message service to request the details.

    http://patient.uservoice.com/knowledgebase/articles/398331-private-messages

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