Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Hi everyone. Just dealing with this new diagnosis of mine. Still can't believe it...I have so many questions I can't even put them into words yet. I'm not sure what to even expect of my future. Venting for now...

Welcome to the group Max .. dealing with a new dx is hard, I still am struggling with it myself. This is a great place with lots of support. Ask anything and we will try to answer the best we can or atleast guide you in the right direction.

Best wishes!

Linda

Welcome, Max. You are right...RA is quite a shocker for of us. But, my friend, you have found a wonderful support group here.

Please, feel free to ask anything, share your experiences, laugh, cry, or vent. Someone, if not all of us, will truly understand. It is true..."walking in another's shoes."

I found this group several months after dx and have learned so much. I wish I had known about it when first dxed.

Again, welcome.

I can empathize. I remember getting my dx. I was scared and constantly thinking about what the future might hold.

I felt that the first time I heard the words RA out of my doctor's mouth. He said it like it was nothing, I had no idea why he would think that, but I had no reason not to at that point. Don't stress out so much, life is still possible with RA.

Hi Max

Welcome to our group...

I originally went to the Rheumatologist for osteoarthritis, and one day my Rheumy was looking over my lab work and started shaking his head and then sighed. I asked whats wrong?....He replied, your lab work indicates you have RA....I was in shock and denial, I said to him, can you have both?...He said unfortunately yes....

I asked him to retake the bloodwork to make sure...it came back positive for RA again...and then I even made him take it a third time....after that it was definitive.

He sat with me and said, I think you are in denial...

I thought, denial?... probably because I could not believe, that me, an active athletic person, didn't smoke, no drugs, social drinking only...how could I have this disease?.....and then the pain and swelling started....and I tried to come to terms with RA....

One thing RA does is it keeps you wondering because it is so unpredictable....

This is a very informative and supportive group, please feel free to vent anytime!

Hi Max welcome to our group.

the support here will include not only the RA, but every factor of life. I have laughed, cried and prayed for everyone here. Mostly I've learned more than any medical site.

I was over whelmed by my DX.I was in denial for 9 months. Fought the Dr and the meds he wanted to give me. Hope you are doing well and that the initial shock wears of soon. What helped me the most is learning about RA. CLAP

Thanks everyone for your responses. I'm currently taking 15mg daily of prednisone while my dr. figures out what dmard he'd like me to use. I was using Methotrexate for one week but then developed a small bruise on my hand. I asked about it and my doc said for now stop the Methotrexate and see me in a week. I'm seeing him in in a couple of days. anyone have this occur bruising occur? Dr. is trying to figure out if it's a result of the Methotrexate or Predisone. As of now the bruising has cleared up. i'm hoping i can still go back on the Methotrexate. Anyone using any of the other dmards and are you having success with it? thank u in advance.

Hi Max - I am also on prednisone (since november) I have been trying to ween off for months but always flare again and have to go back up. I have never taken MTX due to a lung nodule so they won't let me and I can't speak to the bruising. The first thing they put me on was Enbrel. Because all of these meds lower our immune systems I got an infection from oral surgery and had to delay starting it until it went away.

I started in January I think, it wasn't too bad, I was tired for 2 days after and had injection site reactions but started to feel better in my hips which at the time was causing me the most pain and grief, not being able to walk SUCKS LOL Anyway, I developed an oral yeast infection from the antibotics and had to stop the Enbrel for 2 weeks, I have been back on for 6 weeks now, unfortunetly I am not getting the same results as the first time, I ran out of pain meds (OH NO!!) thought I would be fine but after a couple of days that was not the case. So the doc said our next step is Orencia but I asked her to let me give the Enbrel more time, these meds take alot of time sometimes but I am not ready to give up on it yet so she agree'd to let me try for another 3 months.

I hope you find the best treatment for you quickly! Best wishes!

Linda

Hi Max, sorry for your DX. It's alot to adjust to and there is alot to learn to live with RA. Setting limits when needed, sleep times, relaxing, diet adjustments, coping with needing heavy meds, others idiotic suggestions....... I'm almost 3 yrs since DX and still let things get the best of me and push myself to hard at times but I am much better dealing with it all then I was the day I was told.

Welcome to the group.