Rheumatoid Arthritis anyone??

[ThreeLittlePandas]

I'm only 37 so can't quite believe this is happening.

My GP strongly suspects I have it, just waiting for the result of bloods to come back

I am in so much pain though. All of my fingers and toes are affected as are both knees and both wrists. My GP gave me some naproxen which has helped with the swelling. I'm so stiff when I get up and I don't losen up until lunch time. Actually my fingers don't losen at all. I'm also finding that my hands feel weaker. Even writing hurts.

I have no idea what is going to happen. I'm scared I'm going to end up with deformed hands or that I'm going to end up disabled.

Hi threelittlepandas sorry to hear you are going through this.
It really doesn't have to be the end of the world just the start of a slightly different one. I'm not going to pretend that it's going to be much fun or that it's easy but there is a lot they can do for RA. I was diagnosed at 19 and have it just about everywhere. These days it's mostly under control thanks to various drugs. I did at the beginning think I was going to have to give up on everything as FFs I couldn't even open my front door on my own but now in my early 30's I have completed 3 university degrees, hold down a demanding FT job (albeit with a flexible and understanding employer), have got married and had a wonderful and very active DS.
It's been difficult and scary along the way but I just want to show you that these things are possible with this crappy disease.
I take lots of drugs and am only just about remembering to pace myself (yes I'm a slow learner) but i work hard with my docs to try and get treatment that works to keep me going without too many sideeffects. It takes a while but getting on DMARDs early has restricted too much joint damage. Get a referral to a rheumatologist quick and see what they recommend.
If you want to chat then please fee free to PM me - worst thing about this disease is how little most people understand it.
Sorry I've wittered on a bit - there is a lot of support and information on the Arthritis care website. (wonkylegs over there isn't me just to confuse you)

Hi I'm 46 and like you just been diagnosed although been in pain for a year. I'm sitting here with wrist splints on got them on Tuesday and start on methotrexate Monday Morning. Best not to google side effect! My hospital has been brilliant lots of time to see me both nurse and consultant. It's time consuming with blood test X-rays physio ot podiatrist appointments but will do anything to help with the pain. Get all the booklets you can. Gave my boss the booklet you have an employee with RA. You are covered by the disability act if you have any problems at work. I still think its not true and they are going to say they got it wrong. Guess I'm still in denial. Take care hope it goes ok.

I've had RA since I was 16. I'm now 33. Like Wonky, I live a full- life. I'm married with one child, about to try for another, and I have built a career. Yes, if you have RA you will need drugs and advice and some adjustment to what you do, but the diagnosis doesn't have to be devastating. I'm also here to chat. While I don't wish this condition on anyone, it would be nice to have enough of us to have an RA support thread!

Make sure your doc refers you to a rheumy for a proper diagnosis, and look after yourself.

In addition to the excellent advice you've had about seeing a rheumatologist, I suggest that once you have a proper diagnosis you ask for an appointment with an occupational therapist and a physiotherapist. They can suggest lots of ways to help with painful or stiff joints and recommend gadgets that will make life easier for you.

Like others have said the medication really helps, although dmards (disease modifying drugs) can take 6-8 weeks to take effect. You really can lead a fairly normal life with RA.

Yes me. I was diagnosed with RA when I was 28. Am now 40. I agree with the other posters in that medications can make a massive difference to how you feel - it just takes a while to get the right drug/dosage combination that is best for you. There are a lot of dr appts/blood tests/consultant appointments to go to even now when I am well managed generally. I have got damage to quite a few joints and have had to have a couple of ops. However most of this damage was caused by the 4 years I spent trying to get pg and so couldn't take the medication I was supposed to have.

The rheumy will likely take a pro-active stance because of your age and you will be whacked on some strong drugs. But they help. New people I meet now don't know there is anything wrong with me (unless I tell them and show them the wonky fingers!).

Unfortunately it may take a while to get one that works and keeps working
I've taken a few DMARDs now and was doing ok on Mtx until I stopped it to have DS (coped on steroids only whilst pregnant ) but when I went back on Mtx it didn't work as well as before so now on it in combination with Humira and don't get me started on NSAIDs I seem to be allergic to most of them.
At the moment fingers crossed the current combination seems to be working just keep getting damn chest infections since the Humira so have been on & off AB's

I spent most of my adult life on the perfect combination of methotrexate, sulphasalazine and hydroxychloroquine. Then I decided to have a baby and came off the lot. It went really well at first, but I did end up on steriods until my baby was about two months old and it all got bad again. The combination didn't work as well when i went back on the meds, so they upped the MTX to injections, which did help me out a lot. But I've stopped them again in order to try for another child. I have been told I qualify for anti-TNF, but think my consultant wants me to complete my family first. I hear you on the infections wonky. I'm off to see my rheumy this week to see what he advises re meds for this attempt at pregnancy. The advice seems to keep changing.

Re: pregnancy - I'm pretty sure it depends on the doctor you see at the time as there is no hard and fast rules.
I changed consultants when pregnant because my first one (who had been useless before ) was spectacularly useless when confronted with the idea that I might want a baby. My consultant now much more proactive - ask to see if there is a pregnancy & RA clinic in your region - we've got one now but I only found out about it in passing

I have a feeling my new rheumy is going to be very good - he keeps telling me to have another baby! The one I was under when I first got pregnant was useless. Nice idea about a special clinic. Must go and find out about that...

Hi ^ everyone

OP - as the others have said, medication is really good and even though you feel like a bag o'shite at the moment, it will get better in time. The rheumy will try different combinations until they find something that works for you.

I was 35 at onset/diagnosis and am nearly 38 now. I know you wil be feeling like this is the end of life as you know it (scary words like chronic and no cure seem to whizz round and round in your mind I bet?) BUT it will improve with medication in time. Its all a question of managing your pain until you find the correct prescription for your arthritis.

I take 25mg mtx weekly, 3000mg sulfazalazine daily, 1 daily 75mg diclofenac & 6 x 15/500mg co-codamol. On top of that is the daily folic acid and then my glucosamine/vit c & zinc tablets!! I also have a vit B12 injection every 4 weeks.

BUT atm even though I am rattling with all the pills taking a lot of tablets, I am the healthiest I've been since diagnosis in late 2009. I am working out again and leading as full a life as I was before it all started, even dancing in high heels is no longer out of the question! (Unthinkable until recently).

It took me a while to work out what worked for me, with the help of a lovely rheumy clinic at the hospital where I felt like I'd take up residence at times and for most of the last couple of years I've felt that there would be no end to it all, but then slowly I noticed an improvement until where I am now - in control of it, not it controlling me.

I really hope that your GP is supportive & that you get the proper referrals asap. My advice is to ask GP for a steroid injection if an appointment with rheumy is not imminent. That can really help to take away the pain you are in until DMARDS etc are prescribed and kick in.

shitmagnet a support thread is a great idea shall we start one and not hijack the OP's? Bless her, not been back since posting I notice, so I hope she is coping with the pain she's in. Sending for your return threelittlepandas Hope your itching is getting a bit better too shitmagnet.

wonkylegs thanks for the link to the arthritis forums the other day on shitbags thread - I've had a good look around and can't believe I never searched for such a place on t'interweb before.
I think that when I needed support the most I found it a struggle to turn my laptop on to work and earn a living so social surfing was probably the last thing on my mind. But so wish I had known, and have parked it in my important places list for future!

so sorry shitMAGNET not shitbag!