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Date: 17.12.2012
From: Victoria

Subject: Just like that!

I am 39 yrs old and just diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. I am just coming to the end of a 2 week course of corticosteroids which havent helped. I have been in pain for 3 weeks now. I feel like my whole body is being attacked from the inside out. Every night its different parts. Wrists, fingers, groin, elbows, shoulders, knees, jaw! I am off back to the doc today.
What i want to know is, does it normally come on just like that. Fine one minute, other than the odd, what i thought were normal aches and pains. Next minute in agony for 3 weeks solid!
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Date: 17.12.2012
From: bsk

Subject: Re: Just like that!

Hi Victoria,

that's exactly what happened to me though I felt like i had flu for about two months before the joint pain started.

It's a massive shock but I am glad you have been diagnosed. Under the health protocol they should start you on dmards within three months of diagnosis. This limits joint damage. You will need a referral to a rheumatologist so get that sorted asap.

Let me know how you get on with your gp.
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Date: 17.12.2012
From: Colin

Subject: Re: Just like that!

hi Victoria

not nice to develop RA , as bsk said you need to be put on a dmard so soon as possible , like Methotrexate , the outlook is a lot better now for suffers of RA with the new drugs out

good website to checkout is national rheumatoid arthritis society www.nras.org.uk/
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Date: 18.12.2012
From: Linda

Subject: Re: Just like that!

Hi Victoria. I have Lupus/RA. It happened to me almost overnight. It seemed like one minute i was fine and the next minute i couldn't get up off the settee.

Looking back, there were indications. Bouts of diarrhea which i put down to the bread i was eating. Ironically i had switched to wholemeal bread thinking it was healthier. Not for me. I switched back to white bread and the problem partly went away.

One of the children i worked with at the time, accidently pulled my arm back, it hurt that much, it brought tears to my eyes.

My shoes were no longer comfortable and the year leading up to joint pains, i felt exhausted most of the time. I put it all down to the menopause.

When i first went to the Doctor before diagnosis, i couldn't even lift my arms above my head. With treatment that is rarely a problem. Once they find the right drugs for you, you will feel a lot better. Take care.
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Date: 18.12.2012
From: Victoria

Subject: Re: Just like that!

Thanks for your responses. So nice to be able to talk. My doc has refered me to a rheumatologist, so got a rdv on thur.
I live in france BTW so was keen to check the treatment i am receiving corresponds with the treatment in the UK.

As far as sport and physical activity go, i live in the alps and snowboard! So wondering what the liklihood of being able to continue to do this is?
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Date: 20.12.2012
From: Tara

Subject: Re: Just like that!

Hi there
the same thing happened to me, i was sitting at home having a cuppa felt a sharp pain in one of my fingers, with in a week all my fingers were hot and the swelling was very bad that waslast feb and i had just turned 40
since then it has affected all my joints feet knees shoulders hands and wrists

My docs are still trying to grt it under control but i am hopeful
Tara
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Date: 20.12.2012
From: bsk

Subject: Re: Just like that!

Hi Victoria, good luck with your referral to rheumatologist. Can't say about snowboarding as I suppose it depends on how your treatment goes, how good/bad your arthritis is etc. but well worth discussing with your consultant. Let us know how you get on.
xx
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Date: 20.12.2012
From: Victoria

Subject: Re: Just like that!

So just seen rhematologist and she is sending me for more blood tests and xrays to investigate further. Prescribed me NSAIDS in the mean time!
Crikey Tara, does it really take that long to sort out. I was stupidly hoping the specialist would say, here take this tablet and all the pain will stop!
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Date: 21.12.2012
From: Tara

Subject: Re: Just like that!

Hi there,
some ppl are lucky they hit the right meds from the start and are pain free but its just taking a bit longer with me and others here, im on 25 mg of methotrexate a week 1000 mg naprosyn a day folic acid and paracetamol when needed but i am sure that will all change when i see the consultant in jan
keep going with what ever they give you something has to work thats what i keep telling my self
Hugs Tara
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Date: 22.12.2012
From: Two hip replacements and still going!

Subject: Re: Just like that!

My ra started when I was 14, the doctor thought I had flu and kept telling my mum to bring ne back in two weeks if I hadn't improved. 6 weeks later I was in hospital and diagnosed. Like the others say once you have your meds sorted you may be able to continue a normal or relatively normal life. I'm 31 now, I work full time as a reception teacher (4-5yr olds), cross train and cycle (weather permitting). Good luck with your rheumatologist.
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Date: 23.12.2012
From: marie

Subject: Re: Just like that!

Hi there. I have also just been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis I am 31. Over the past few months its as spread fast so i new something was wrong i think everyone else around me thought i was going crazy. I have also had a steriod shot on wednesday and i have not felt any benefit from it yet. As for the flare ups im the same i can be great for a week then all of a sudden i cant even brush my own hair or open bottles its really frustrating that the pain comes with no warning
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Date: 23.12.2012
From: willis

Subject: Re: Just like that!

Its a nightmare at times Victoria. I was put on DMARD methotrexate - it work for about 8 months and dimmed the pain. endless steroid injections and higher dosage no use. now on anti TNF and it has helped a bit, they sometimes take longer to work so i'm hoping. but here i am aching all over but that is my own fault as cleaned house today!!! well it is christmas - it'll take me to new year to recover ! i hope they help you soon and that you can then adjust your life to what is best for you. have a good festive season x
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