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Newly Diagnosed

Posted , 14 users are following.

5hellsbells
5hellsbells

Hi all

Well... i was officially diagnosed with RA last friday...id been experiencing sore fingers/ feet..which id put down to work/new shoes

I went to Drs..he ran test..got an apl with Rheumy and he confirmed it..but thats all i know just now..

I got a steroin inhection which helped..though my right foot it a bit sore in the mornings.

Was put on Hydroxy and Naproxen..naproxen made me sick..so dr took me off.. gave me omepeazole and co codamol (which i havent taken yet cos i drive)

Anyways..i was handling it well..till Tuesday..when i looked up all up on google....and my world came crashing down..the horror stories on there! 😲 Poor hubby came home to a bubbing mess!!

So currently... im feeling overwhelmed and quite tearful..which isnt helped when folk you tell tell you THEIR horror stories..

I do have an ex work colleague who has reached out as shes had it for 20 years and leads a pretty normal life..

I think its the not knowing thats the worst..dont go back to Rheumy toll 21st Oct..

Well.. thanks for listening (reading)

Shelky

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0 likes, 29 replies

29 Replies

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  • Justgettinby
    Justgettinby 5hellsbells

    Posted

    From one recently diagnosed RA person to another... I was diagnosed this past April. I can totally relate to how your feeling. Google is not our best friend. I read all the horror stories and wondered too what kind of life I was in for now. But.. there are also places like this forum that will help ease your mind and give you the real truth about our condition because they are also living it, some for a very long time. I consider myself lucky to have (hopefully) been diagnosed early in the disease, so my chances of having a pretty normal decent life are pretty good. Yes, I have to take meds that carry scary side effects, yes my life has changed and this is lifelong. But.. I am choosing to try to be glass half full about this because I have a lot of life left to live. After having 5 or so months to digest all of this I still have bad days of pity partying but overall life is good. I feel lucky too that so far the meds I take (Plaquenil and injectable Methotrexate + folic acid) have not given me some of the bad side effects you read about. I'm starting to feel like myself again and learning my new normal. 

    Wishing you the best, and hang in there and try not to stress because as you'll learn it will not help. 

  • 5hellsbells
    5hellsbells

    Posted

    Thank you everyone.. this has made me feel a lot better x
  • timothy11402
    timothy11402 5hellsbells

    Posted

    I was diagnosed 15 years ago....am 70 now. The first few years were not so much fun with pain and malaise and a few shortbursts of pred. Those years were used to regulate my mtx dose. I take mtx and plaquinil (along with turmeric). 

    But now I am well controled. Oh sure, I have a pain now and then.....comes suddenly and leaves just as suddenly. Once in a while my hands feel wonky but so far no joint damage.

    The point is, this listserve is a self-selected group of RA patients who are in pain or have anxiety and are looking for help and guidance from fellow patients. It serves a great purpose.

    BUT....how many people who are doing well with this disease are going to get on this listserve to tell everyone else that they feel great?? So for every one person on this site, there are probably ten others out there who are doing well.

    If you have RA, do the best you can and keep a positive outlook. You may find that in a year or two, when the dust settles, you will feel pretty good.

    Best of luck to you.....and keep a positive outlook.

  • kristin3351
    kristin3351 5hellsbells

    Posted

    I was recently diagnosed as well and felt so frightened and alone but this site has helped me realize I am not alone at all.  I am on methotrexate and prednisone, waiting for relief of symptoms at this point (only been two months). I was afraid to start meds because of nasty side effects I read about.  Fortunately for me they haven't been as bad as I anticipated. Good luck to you. I have gotten some great tips from people here so check back frequently as I am sure it will be helpful for you as well.

    • Emily1234
      Emily1234 kristin3351

      Posted

      Hi Kristin, glad you are doing well on the meds when did you first start with RA symptoms? Did your bloods show it? Best of luck to you,
    • kristin3351
      kristin3351 Emily1234

      Posted

      Thank you Emily.  I am not sure when RA started because I was diagnosed with chronic fatigue and have osteo so thought joint pains were just that.  My fingers started to swell and become very stiff and extremely painful about 4 months ago and saw rheumy who put me on Mtx and prednisone. I was very frightened to have to start meds but got support here that helped me get the courage to take them.  I still have swollen, painful fingers and now sore ankles and back.  Hopefully things will improve soon.  Good luck to you too!
    • Emily1234
      Emily1234 kristin3351

      Posted

      Fingers crossed for you. What did your blood test show....do you have RF or what were your CCP results. Hope you improve soon
  • Alamode
    Alamode 5hellsbells

    Posted

    I haven't been diagnosed with RA but I had a doctor tell me she was 99% sure I have it. I have lived in pain my entire life. I welcome a diagnosis because then there is a chance of treatment and better quality of life.

  • gill0088
    gill0088 5hellsbells

    Posted

    Don't read the horror stories! That's my MO one month in from being diagnosed. 

    It's good that you have an ex colleague who manages her condition well. Good to get some info from her. Any tips are useful for you and anyone else on this site. (Do share when possible.)

    A positive frame of mind is so important. I believe you must stay focused on using your mind to control your body, and don't let RA Control you.

    Look up the conversation on Turmeric 95% on this site. Lots of useful and helpful info there re. the positive effects of herbal supplements to manage the condition.

    All the best

    g

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