Newly diagnosed RA

They really don't. If I say anything about hurting, or being so tired, or just anything, my stepmom always comes back with "yeah me too". But to me, I am 28 years old. She is 65 years old. That's a big difference in age. She also does not have the diagnosises I have ( I have several of them). I just feel like I am on my own here and that no one really believes how I feel

We are all different. Maybe you should print off some info about your conditions so she understands more. Some people never understand thou ..bless you

Many many people associate Rheumatoid with simple arthritis. Wish it was so lol

Hi Brittany,I understand where you are coming from.I try to help

people understand how hard it is to feel like you have the flu

everyday.I find many can understand how cruddy that feels.

Try to have a heart to heart with your step mom and let her

know it hurts not to be believed.I have fibro,osteoarthritis and

ra symptoms,you truly have many here who will listen and do

understand.Gentle hugs,Tory

What medication are you on. Doctors usually start people on methotrexate. There are lots of different drugs to try and dampen down the disease to control it.

I am on Methotrexate, Folic Acid, and Naproxen for the RA. I have several other diagnosis so I am on other medications for them as well. I have been on the Methotrexate for about a month and so far, no help with the pain

There s been lots of new developments in last 10 years of biologic drugs for RA. Being diagnosed now you won't get the kind of joint destruction you see in older people who have had RA for a long time. In that sense we are fortunate.

but it is very upsetting when first diagnosed and very very painful. It takes a while for them to find the meds that work for each individual. Sometimes it takes a combination of meds. For me it took almost a year- and because the 3 main meds weren't having sufficient effect I was out on a biologic which has worked for me and given me back my life.hopefully it ll be quicker for you.

so be patient and give yourself enough sleep, get informed and be honest in your feedback in RA appointments. If it still hurts tell them as they can increase dosages or types of med. Their medical guidelines in UK say to diagnose early then treat aggressively in the early stages. Also they say the aim in their guidelines is for you to get into remission, 

Can take 3 months to start to work. My consultant started new on low dose until we on 25mg.That was too much for me and effected my liver.I was told I would gave it by injection to bypass liver but was put on sulfasalazine instead.I also take Pregabalin and prednisolone which is a steroid.Has steroid been discussed. Have been on all for quite few years now.Have tried 3 biologics but they never worked. Still get bad pain but it's better than was.

I too have other diseases

It is perfectly natural to feel scared.  Uncontrolled pain can be terrifying because you cannot imagine being in so much pain for even a week, never mind a month, or more.  The treatments available can be so effective and, whilst it might take a short while getting the right treatment for you, once you've got it right, your pain will be in control and you will start to feel less anxious.  I remember when I was first diagnosed, I was 20, the disease was aggressive and I seriously thought I was heading for big trouble.  If the 48 year old me could go and talk to the 20 year old me, I would say "calm down, calm down, it's not going to be all that bad."  😊

I have had 4 sets of corticosteriod with numbing medication injections, as well as 16 corticosteriod shots at once. I have had no relief with any of them. I do know that it can take quite a bit of time to get the right meds, but we only have 1 specialist in my area so it takes 2 months to get in.