Date: 04.08.2010
From: Kathryn
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Subject: Diagnosed with early RA today....
Hi everyone, I have just been to see my rheumatologist and he has said now he thinks I have early RA. Bit shocked and taken aback by it (I have spent the last 8 years working on RA and honestly never thought it would effect me). He gave me an injection of depo-medrone in my buttock (ouch) and aswell as various x-rays on my hands, feet and shoulder and numerous blood tests I have to go back in 3 months time. How long does the depo-medrone take to start working and how long do the effects last for? Sorry for the questions, my mind is whirling at the moment with this, I have other health problems and this is just something else to add to the list.... I am 28 years old and on HRT (I had a hysterectomy done 12 months ago) and I always thought that my joint problems were a result of the treatment I was on for those problems, but with the joint problems getting progressively worse and the morning stiffness lasting longer and becoming more apparent I thought I should get it checked out. I haven't told any of my family, I have told a couple of close friends and one person was shocked that I could possibly have RA (probably because of my age!!)....so feel totally alone right now...I know I should tell my husband but with all my other problems I don't know how he'll react. Anyway, sorry for rambling, I just needed to write it down and get it off my chest...
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Date: 04.08.2010
From: Sally
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Subject: Re: Diagnosed with early RA today....
Hi Kathryn,
I'm sorry to hear your news. It is a shock to get something like this and it took me months to get my head round it. When I had a depo injection it worked very quickly and took about 6-8 weeks to wear off but I was also on oral steroids too as I was so bad. Normally they take about 2/3 days to work and last around 6weeks. If you seize up when they have worn off then contact your rheumatologist. There are lots of people your age on here with RA. I am 53 and have only had it for a year. Actually, I have sero-inflammatory arthritis! You mustn't be frightened of telling your husband and family. They've probably noticed you've been feeling poorly and it might be a relief to them to know what is actually wrong. There's lots of treatment as I expect you know!
Let us know how you get on.
take care
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Date: 04.08.2010
From: Kathryn
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Subject: Re: Diagnosed with early RA today....
I have sero-negative RA too - awaiting results for ANA, ENA, ESR and CRP to come in... Thanks for your message Sally...my husband has noticed I have changed (been playing on my mind a lot recently) so will probably be relieved when I tell him this.. I am a bit worried about the side effects of the depo, I've never had steroidal treatments before so don't really know what to expect (I had a steroid injection straight into the joint of my big toe before but not an intramuscular one).... Hoping to feel some sort of relief over the next few days...
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Date: 04.08.2010
From: sandra lowe
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Subject: Re: Diagnosed with early RA today....
hi kathryn i couldnt have coped with my RA witout my family, so you should tell them what are you afraid they are going to say? please tell them then they will know why you arnt feeling great. i have had RA 32yrs so i have gone through all kinds of medications, so keep in touch x
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Date: 04.08.2010
From: KayJay
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Subject: Re: Diagnosed with early RA today....
Kathryn the Rheumie told me that if I had an inflammatory Arthritis then the Steroid injection wouldn't work. And with me it didn't. So they started me on RA meds which I've got to give them longer to work. What they didn't tell me was that the Steroid would make my blood sugar reading hit the roof. Which it did as I'm diabetic and I think? that can also happen even in a non diabetic. I hope you will soon get it sorted though and hope the Steroid helps you ;0)
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Date: 05.08.2010
From: Sally
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Subject: Re: Diagnosed with early RA today....
hi Kathryn
I have had no side effects from the injections but have had a few from long term steroids - mostly weight gain which I've now got completely under control, a fatty liver - ditto and thinning skin but that is after a year. KJ - the steroid injection does work for IA, certainly has for me and other people I know too. I've had four over the past year and it what has kept me mobile. I don't know why your rheumie told you that as it's simply not the case. I found it fantastically effective, went from not being able to walk to moving about within a day (I've just remembered Kathryn they told me it would take a week to work but was much quicker for me.)
You can get steroid induced diabetes but hasn't happened to me yet.
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Date: 05.08.2010
From: KayJay
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Subject: Re: Diagnosed with early RA today....
Sally I'm not surprised that the [ jnr ] Rheumie got it wrong with me. But that's what he said. Think he should go back to med school !! Glad it works for you though ;0)
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Date: 05.08.2010
From: Sally
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Subject: Re: Diagnosed with early RA today....
Hi KJ, Sorry it didn't work for you and some people say it stops being effective after a while. Doesn't it worry you that doctors say completely different things from one another? Hard to know what to believe. Think they just make it up at sometimes :) How are you doing in any case? I'm struggling along in my own haphazard way!
tk
xx
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Date: 05.08.2010
From: KayJay
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Subject: Re: Diagnosed with early RA today....
Hi Sally. Well been on the Hydroxy since March and had new swellings but the Consultant Rheumie has said to give it 6 months to work. If it dosn't then I will have a full body Isotope scan [ dont know why? ]. He also said that Steroids were not ' appropiate ' in my case because of the Diabetes !! [ wonder if the jnr Rheumie got a slap on the wrists ? ] Anyway I think? they might be working with my hands [ hope I havn't jinxed it ] apart from my feet still hurt a lot especially on my right foot down the outside part coming from the little toe down. And still so bloody tired all the time. End of moan. How are you ??
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Date: 05.08.2010
From: karen
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Subject: Re: Diagnosed with early RA today....
Hi Kathryn Hope you dont mind me crashing your post but just wanted to say hi! I have had positive bloods back for ra, Im 34 &have my first app on weds & not quite sure what to expect? Ive been suffering constantly (give or take a day) for the past couple of months, am on paracetomol & diclofenac almost daily, have just been told I have tendonitis from my thumb to my wrist on one hand, I also think Ive had this in my upper arms for months. Anyway, sorry to ramble, I hope you are feeling ok today, maybe we could chat. Have just found this site & there is so much to read lol Take care Karen x
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Date: 05.08.2010
From: Sally
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Subject: Re: Diagnosed with early RA today....
hi KJ, I'm ok, waiting for mtx injections which are supposed to be more effective. I am still on steroids after a year (surely you shouldn't have had them as a diabetic!!!)My wrists hurt and some fingers and my ankles and knees. Walking any distance can be very painful and tiring. But I am doing a lot - maybe too much, don't know - but as long as I can get around ok it's sort of alright. Though have to admit to feeling a teensy weensy bit depressed at the moment. Never heard of an Isotope scan. Sounds v interesting! Finger crossed the drugs work well for you. It seems a long wait though.
xx
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Date: 05.08.2010
From: KayJay
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Subject: Re: Diagnosed with early RA today....
Sally sorry to hear you feel a bit depressed - but thinking about it there is no wonder is there ? Constant pain / insomnia / inability to move freely etc...... I used to love decorating and DIY before this. Anyway I shouldn't moan at age 56 I've probably not done too bad. There are a lot worse that can psyhically go wrong and I've not had to cope with young children like some of the young ones on here. It must be so difficult for them. TC XX
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Date: 05.08.2010
From: Sally
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Subject: Re: Diagnosed with early RA today....
Kay! I'm only 3 years younger than you and I think you've got every right to moan!! I feel sometimes as if my life is over but am determined not to let it be. I am struggling doing my garden and growng my veg etc. but am not going to give it up. Nor DIY even if I have to do one square inch at a time. I find it incredibly hard at times and you obviously do too. Sometimes I think I've got no right to moan but then if I think you have, I have. So there!
xx
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Date: 05.08.2010
From: Lynn B
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Subject: Re: Diagnosed with early RA today....
Way to go girls... keep it up keep thinking positive. I always tell myself I AM NOT LETTING THIS S....Y DISEASE GET TO ME. parden me , but god it is so hard somedays. take care. xx
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Date: 05.08.2010
From: Sally
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Subject: Re: Diagnosed with early RA today....
Thanks Lynn, yes it is but this forum doesn't half help!
you take care :)
xx
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Date: 06.08.2010
From: Sally
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Subject: Re: Diagnosed with early RA today....
btw Kay, didn't mean to cast a slur on your ability to do stuff like DIY. We are all different as you know. I'm battling on but sometimes I do wonder whether I shouldn't cut myself a break now and then :) Though I am a bit today as feel really rough. Decided to stay home and read in bed this evening!
xx
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Date: 06.08.2010
From: KayJay
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Subject: Re: Diagnosed with early RA today....
Hi Sally no it's just that if I try to do anything strenuous I don't half suffer for it the next day !! Last week went to Mums house [ she's in a Nursing Home ] and the climber was all the way up to the guttering !! Thought the Triffids had invaded lol. Me and little sis were dragging it off and bagging it up and I felt fine at the time, apart from being stiff. Until the next day when I was in bed all day aching and so tired. Years ago that would have been nothing for me. Personally I think I've done enough over the years - renovated 3 houses / done up Mums and 2 houses my Daughters had !! If I never see another silicone gun I'll not be sorry !! Enjoyed it though when they were finished. I've never been a " oh I can't do that it might break my fingernail " kinda gal. tc xx ps enjoy your read + rest xx
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Date: 07.08.2010
From: Sally
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Subject: Re: Diagnosed with early RA today....
I know what you mean. As I live on my own a certain amount of over doing things is necessary but I am learning to ask people to do heavy stuff for me in the garden and to rest a bit more!
xx
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Date: 14.08.2010
From: karen
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Subject: Re: Diagnosed with early RA today....
Hi Kathryn Has your jab worked yet? I had one on weds & I cant feel it has worked :-(
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Date: 20.12.2010
From: Linda
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Subject: Re: Diagnosed with early RA today....
Hi Kathryn, I used to have RA but no longer. I found out hat its all to do with the levels of toxins in your body as a result of your diet. You can get rid of RA within weeks if you have the correct diet. I bought a fantastic online ebook which helped me cured my RA by showing me what to and not to eat, what supplements to take and how to detox. I bought the book from this website www.arthritis-cure-prevention.com
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Date: 20.12.2010
From: karen
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Subject: Re: Diagnosed with early RA today....
oh please!
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Date: 20.12.2010
From: dolly
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Subject: Re: Diagnosed with early RA today....
kathryn, if a person has been diagnosed with RA it may go into remission if diagnosed early BUT it is not cureable. i've had RA for 41 years
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Date: 20.12.2010
From: Linda
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Subject: Re: Diagnosed with early RA today....
Hi Karen, Thats what I would have said myself as well a few months ago . I am speaking from personal experience and only trying to help. Surely you have heard of the very old expression "you are what you eat"? Having tried so many things, seen so many experts to no avail I now know that this is the only way that can cure arthritis and thats what that book is all about. Best wishes
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Date: 20.12.2010
From: dolly
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Subject: Re: Diagnosed with early RA today....
sorry kathryn. that last post was 4 linda. like i said i've had RA 4 41 yrs. what i can suggest 2 u is share ur health conditions with your family. they are going 2 have 2 learn and understand your conditionbecause u will eventually may need help with some things in the future. your doc will find what is called a "cocktail" [ a mixture of meds 4 RA] which might take awhile but when the doc finds one that works 4 u things become a little easier. the doc should also have you in physio therapy real soon so your muscles don't deteriorate. feel free to ask any questions. take care now. after telling u how long i've had RA ithought i should tellu that i'm 56.
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Date: 20.12.2010
From: Linda
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Subject: Re: Diagnosed with early RA today....
Hi dolly, Thanks for commenting on my message for Kathryn. You are not as old as me, I am 62 and suffered for 8 years from RA. I am only giving advice because the guidance in the book has worked for me. I was on the "cocktail" as well(no longer though) and while masking the pain and the reducing swelling it wasnt doing much else to help. I've heard that being on it for a long time can give you all sorts of other more serious diseases like cancer of the liver and heart problems. Trust me a good diet with essential supplements really work. All the best and have a nice Christmas to you and everyone.
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Date: 20.12.2010
From: dolly
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Subject: Re: Diagnosed with early RA today....
i'm not as old as u r but i've had RA much longer than u [like i said 41 yrs] sounds like u don't understand RA yourself. RA is a auto immune deficiency and it does not go away with a certain diet. it never goes away. it can go into remission. you haven't had it long so it sounds like yours has gone into remission. yes a proper diet helps but you cannot have a high protein diet because protein builds up your immune system and then your immune system attacks your body--joints,muscles, bones and other organs. a rheumatologist told me his thoughts about RA were that RA should not have been called RA because it affects so many parts of the body. i"ve had RA most of my life so i know alot more about RA than you do and that message i posted for kathryn was for kathryn not you
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Date: 20.12.2010
From: dolly
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Subject: Re: Diagnosed with early RA today....
also linda many other things cause cancer and liver or heart problems. many people who got cancer or liver or heart problems did not have RA
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Date: 21.12.2010
From: Trish
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Subject: Re: Diagnosed with early RA today....
Its very interesting reading various views on RA on this page. I think linda raised a very sensible point here which i totally agree with. Like linda I have also explored the alternative treatment and bought a very good book from a book shop on natural arthritis cure. A healthy diet and a healthy living do go a long way to curing ra. Call it remmision or whatever, as soon as i practised the natural approach my ra began to subside and after just 6 weeks it was gone. Its now been 2 years since and I am still free of ra....but not free to eat a rubish diet of course. From being a person who had no regards for heathy eating, vitamins, minerals...I am now particular and knowledgeble about foods which reap a massive benefit for me. The reason one of the ladies has had ra for over 40 year is because she doesnt belief ra could be cured and has not explored other possibilities. My motto is never give up, never accept what the doctor say.
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Date: 21.12.2010
From: athena
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Subject: Re: Diagnosed with early RA today....
RA cant be cured,there is no cure,if there was none of us would be on here talking about it would we ! it can go into remission for years and or be a mild form but it doesnt go away, i think after 41yrs dolly knows all there is to know about RA.my dad,his twin sister,another sister and her daughter and me all have RA,most of us eat a very healthy diet and guess what...we all still have RA ,some times its better then other times and even if its in remission its still there as its auto-immune. i take it trish and linda dont need rheumatologists then as they dont accept what the doctors say? what a waste of all there medical training then if all we need is a few vitamins and some lettuce leaves !!!!
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Date: 21.12.2010
From: Linda
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Subject: Re: Diagnosed with early RA today....
Most of us think we have a very good diet but infact we dont. We still eat foods with preservatives, colours, flavour enhancers. Some of us may be exposed to some kind of chemicals or smokers. RA is to do with toxins in your body. One needs to really look at toxin levels in ones body. If you can get rid of the toxins you should be alright. Thats what i did and it worked for me.Good luck.
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Date: 21.12.2010
From: athena
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Subject: Re: Diagnosed with early RA today....
my dad eats very healthy,all home grown veg and my mum cooks all her food from fresh,they have always been the same,she makes her own bread everything,there is no toxins going in his body but he still has RA RA is nothing to do with toxins in the body,its auto immune and means your own immune system attacks itself,i agree smoking can make it worse but think of all the thousands of people who eat junk,smoke and drink who havent got RA,if that was the case then most of the population would have it. ive also got hypothyrodism which is also auto immune,so does that mean cos i had a macdonalds in 2005 im going to get other auto immune diseases. it is just your theory and you are entitled to that and if you feel its helping your RA then good for you and good luck to you but if your symptoms come back what will you say then? RA is uncurable,life style changes may help but does not cure it
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Date: 21.12.2010
From: dolly
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Subject: Re: Diagnosed with early RA today....
i want 2 thank athena for ur comments and u and i no what RA is. as 4 trish and linda they DO NOT have a clue. if they did they would no that it is not cureable. believe me trish and linda if u have RA and i say IF and ur in remission there is a good chance it will come back sooner or later and when it does then u might believe there is no cure. hopefully sometime inthe future there will b a cure but as of now there is not. if trish or linda had RA they would not b talking about vitamins and such, they would b talkin about how 2 handle and live with it. if a person has RA vitamins and such r not on their priority list. that's all a RA patient thinks about is pain relief and wishing they could do the things that they used to do. you don't give RA patient false hopes like taking vitamins and having a very strict diet and you r cured. NO, that comes from someone who does not know the real life of an RA patient. severe RA patients r close 2 bed ridden so don't say vitamins and a good diet will get them off that bed and have no more pain and everything else that goes with RA. i was very active in many sports activities and my diet was alot of fruit, salads and not much meat. my RA started in 1969 when there was no meds like they have today. so i ended up having 30 surgeries over the next 40 years. if it took vitamins and such to not have any surgery, what do u think iwould of chose, you think? get back on your computer and READ before giving such rediculous advice. i know more about RA than u can even imagine.
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Date: 22.12.2010
From: Lida
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Subject: Re: Diagnosed with early RA today....
Thanks for your advice Dolly. You obviouly mean well but if you know RA really well like you say you do you wouldnt have had it for over 40 years with 30 operations. What you really know is how painful RA is which we all do and that your doctor tells you its not curable.Whats wrong with a good diet anyway? It worked for me and I advice Kathryn to help her and other people who are interested in a different approach. It may not be for you but may be for some other people. So let they try and who knows? A good diet can improve your general health, lessen the pains at the very minimum. I am not asking anyone to take poisons here am I? I am giving people good sound and clearly sensible advice and you are being all doom and gloom. Go and sort your diet out with lots of veg and fruits and stop eating any foods, snacks, cakes, sweets(or drinks) which have been laden with preservative, colours, flavour enhancers, artificial sweeteners and see for yourself the amazing results. Go and buy a good book on alternative ra treatment to get more information.Who knows the next chapter of your life could be pain free and happiness. Think!!!
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Date: 22.12.2010
From: dolly
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Subject: Re: Diagnosed with early RA today....
you just made it really clear that you don't have a clue about RA. once you have RA you can't just as you say vitamins and a different diet. if it was that easy you obviously think i chose to stay that way for over 40 yrs. no one was talking about taking poisons. talking about taking poisons is a real intelligent statement. who said i ate alot of things with preservatives and such? you're the one that needs to think before you speak because like i say you do not have a clue. you say your RA was cured, you think all these people on this website are going to believe you, YOU THINK? if your RA was cured why are you on this site? i'm sure these people would ask me questions before asking you anything. if it was as easy as you seem to think it is there would be no site like this for RA patients to read. if you had RA you would know it. asking what's wrong with a good diet is a useless question. the advice you seem to think you are giving all these people is senseless and useless. doesn't matter what condition your health is everyone knows a good diet is very beneficial, that's a no brainer. as for me i do eat a very good diet and am not all doom and gloom. i am 5'10" and 160lbs and if you don't know me and look at me i just look fine. you shouldn't even be commenting anything on this site. get a life!
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Date: 22.12.2010
From: Linda
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Subject: Re: Diagnosed with early RA today....
You are starting to get nasty now so I will say good bye. By the way if your a smoker dont forget to give up- One of the main causes of RA.
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Date: 22.12.2010
From: dolly
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Subject: Re: Diagnosed with early RA today....
i do not smoke. if you want to call telling the truth being nasty so be it. sometimes the truth hurts doesn't it. i'm not a nasty person. i'm honest and truthful always.cigarette smoke does not cause RA.
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Date: 22.12.2010
From: Linda
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Subject: Re: Diagnosed with early RA today....
Merry Christmas dolly! No hard feelings from my part. Promise.
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Date: 22.12.2010
From: dolly
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Subject: Re: Diagnosed with early RA today....
there was never any hard feelings cause i know what i'm talking about.
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Date: 23.12.2010
From: KayJay
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Subject: Re: Diagnosed with early RA today....
I think it depends on what is erher ' smoked '. I know a joiner guy who can only function [ pain wise ] when he smokes a certain substance ......... And in some states in the USA it is legal and you can get it on prescription !! Never tried it myself as the smell makes me sick.
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Date: 23.12.2010
From: karen
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Subject: Re: Diagnosed with early RA today....
Oh well, off to make a special Christmas cake!
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