Just been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis

[JohnnyTwoHats]

Have been expecting it for some time but as I am seronegative (have no rheumatoid factor in my blood) consultant has been umming and ahhing about it.

And the worst thing that hit me was that because of the drugs I am being put on, I won't be able to breastfeed if when I have another dc.

Have been on diclofenac and just about to start hydroxychloroquine.

Am really worried about my career (halfway through nurse training, and my hands are affected, although on this last placement they have been okish).

Just having a bit of a whinge, really. Anyone else got RA? I feel really pissed off about it atm.

Sorry to hear that, not a sufferer myself though.

My Mum has this really badly. Please please please, whatever you do - keep taking your meds. My Mum ran out whilst staying in the States with my sister and came home crippled with her RA and having lost lots of weight.

Keep your appointments with your doctors and keep on top of it.

Take care and good luck. x

unfitmother

Thanks for that advice, lilredwg. Do you mind me asking, how quickly did your mum's RA progress? I ask because I am still at the stage atm where I don't have much joint damage, so hopefully staying on top of it with meds will keep that from happening for a good while.

I don't really know much about RA, I haven't ever worked in that field, so only tend to come across older patients whose hads are totally deformd and it really upsets me in a vain, shallow way, to think I will look like that... and because I have started dropping stuff all the time, like the other day in theatre, cased a huge kerfuffle with new stuff having to be sterilised etc. Am just all over place really.

I have suffered with seronegative arthritis in the past (turned out to be related to coeliac disease), which mostly affected my hands. Protecting your joints is really important, and it would be good to get some OT input now for advice on overnight splinting etc.

Diclofenac is actually safe in breastfeeding, but hydroxychloroquine isn't recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding, so you'd need to find an alternative anyway, so don't worry too much about that one. The Breastfeeding Network have a drugline who can advise you on the suitability of different drugs

Hi Johnny sorry to hear your news. I was also diagnosed recently though I've been more milkdy symptomatic for 3 years now. I've just started methotrexate Rx, which does have TTC/BF implications. I am probably a simpler case to start Rx with in that I do have the blood work (anti CCP >100) that makes it kind of cut and dried. WHen I had my first rheumatology consult, I was sent out to a 120mg Depo Medrone jab, which has done wonders in letting me rearticulate many of my joints and I've been regaining strength in my hands the last 2 weeks. I haven't dropped the baby anything for a week now. Maybe ask for a steroid as short term help? It is to tide me over until MTX kicks in.

anyway, go get more experience/advice ont he NRAS or arthritis care forums (links below). I've found the NRAS one better, but you have to join the organisation for that. Well worth it, as the posts are well informed and the website doesn't go down as often and thye have specific TTC and PG boards. I use the same name in both. Maybe see you around?

arthritis care forum
NRAS forum

Thanks for that people. Will check out links later as am just off on a night shift shortly. I forgot to say, have had steroid injections into the tendon sheaths of my hands a few weeks ago and that has helped a lot.