newbie

Am new here and relatively new to this disease. Diagnosed last year w/RA-now on methotrexate and received my 1st dose of Humira last month. Will need 2nd injection this Thursday. I'm scared! The 1st hurt so much and I'm not sure if I can do it myself! Does anyone have any experience w/this drug? Had to quit my job last week due to the low immunity w/Humira (I work w/young children.) Feeling crummy! Family doesn't understand what I'm going through. I'm 42 and tired of feeling like I'm 82! How do you guys cope w/this longterm????????

I also am new here...and I feel for you..I was diagnosed about 2 to 3 yrs. ago, and the disease has made my life limited and miserable. I have been on many meds. methotrexate, Plaquenil, presnisone, etc. etc. and have been putting off the infusion therapy with Remicade for other medical reasons. I also am afraid of the infusion therapy. Family and friends can not possible know what you are going through. I have tried to make people understand, it doesnt work..I have found that getting my self focused on what I am able to do each day is a good strategy.. I deal with one day at a time..and as far as the infustion therapy, I am in the process of determining if I can go ahead with it (I probably will,just waiting to hear from Neuro doc., not sure if I have MS and If I take remicade it can bring on MS)..If I were you I would talke to my Rheum.Doc. and tell him your feelings on what is happening...I know that even with the methotrexate and other drugs.. I am on a prescription vitamin to replace minerals that are being taken out of my body by the meds...

Remember you are not alone, and finally that at least at this forum there are others that finally understand..

Nice to hear from you. It's nice to finally find people that can relate. I don't know what's worse-RA or the meds or the side effects! I'm going to give Humira a chance but if it doesn't work in a month like my dr says it should, then I will probably discontinue it. So far, it's making me feel worse. I guess we could have worse things. One of the hardest things for me is that I have good days and bad days. From the outside I may look fine, and people can't "see" anything wrong. Or, they catch me on a good day and don't understand why I cannot do something. Even my teenage daughter said I was "faking" when I had a good day. She said it in fun, but it still hurt. At least my dog doesn't question me!!

Have a great day

I am so happy to finally find people that understand!...today, I had to take off work...everything affected me...methotrexate made me sick, flare up made my body throb, it seemed that every joint hurt..and then the fatigue set in..so, I decided to take my pain meds...it only takes the edge off the pain..I usually take it when I feel I can't stand the pain and I am unable to do anything..the meds knock me out for a bit...so I get a little rest...oh well, I hope I am coping better tomorrow, so I can function at work...I find most people where I work don't understand...and I try my hardest to go beyond what I should do, so that I don't cause resentment...thanks for listening...

I am so glad I found this group! I am one of my dr's youngest patients and just couldn't find any support. Hope you're feeling better, Cella. I find the fatigue to be one of the hardest things to cope with, too. It took many years for me to finally get diagnosed and I felt so guilty for not having the energy for my kids. Now that I find myself recently unemployed, I have the time off, but still not the energy! I guess it's called life!

I am hanging in there still not where I want to be but trying to remain positive... Rheumwithaview, I give you a lot of credit..it must be a real balancing act..working and taking care of the children...my hat is off to you...I hope you get some time to rest...you deserve it....