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Date: 22.02.2015
From: chris

Subject: just been told i have RA

How bad will it get,been in a lot of pain,been given Naproxen and co codamol,but pain is still bad
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Date: 22.02.2015
From: sleek fox

Subject: Re: just been told i have RA

Hi Chris, welcome to the forum but sorry to hear you have RA. Have you got a referral to a rheumatologist? The national protocol says you have to be started on disease modifying drugs (Dmards) within 3 months of diagnosis. In the meantime, they can give you a steroid injection, which will help a lot. The main thing is to get a referral as soon as possible.
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Date: 22.02.2015
From: chris

Subject: Re: just been told i have RA

not been referred yet doing blood tests again on 9th march,been suffering badly for months,first he said it was osteoarthritis now he says its RA ,so not sure,hands, arms, feet, shoulders and neck arm suffering
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Date: 22.02.2015
From: chris

Subject: Re: just been told i have RA

the doctor started me on vitamin D tablets aswell as lot both thumb nails too, pressure on thumb makes nails break and arms swell from wrist to shoulder
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Date: 22.02.2015
From: chris

Subject: Re: just been told i have RA

Really scared,as body seems to be giving up,arms are so week,feel down alot due to pain i'm in,scared that i wont be able to stay working
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Date: 22.02.2015
From: sleekfox

Subject: Re: just been told i have RA

Chris, insist on a referral to a rheumatologist. You have the right to see one.

Once you are in the system there is a lot they can do to help you. It doesn't necessarily mean you have to give up work, you just need the right treatment. I was really bad and it was slow to get a referral. If I knew what I know now, I might have taken myself off to A&E as I was admitted to hospital straight from my first hospital appointment. That is an option if you really feel you can't cope.

Stay on here, others will be around later to offer support I'm sure.
You don't have to do this on your own. We are all here.
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Date: 22.02.2015
From: Colin W

Subject: Re: just been told i have RA

Chris , you need to be referred , the GP are not qualified but if your blood test comeback as positive for Rheumatiod Factor & you got joint problem , then its pretty sure its RA

as sleekfox said your GP can give you a steriod injection , but would not recommend steriod tablets as they just seem to make things worse when you come off them

in the link section above you will find links to the main Arthritis charites , they have loads of information about all types of arthritis & some have free helplines if you need them
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Date: 22.02.2015
From: lucy

Subject: Re: just been told i have RA

Hi Chris, I agree with sleekfox, you really need to see a rheumatologist as soon as possible. There are many different types of arthritis and only a rheumatologist can prescribe the drugs that will help you when they know what it is you have. There is even an arthritis that affects the nails (PA) It is too long to wait until the 9th March, get back onto your doctor and insist you get an urgent appointment and if not do as s/f says and go to the A&E.

Good luck and keep in touch and let us know how you get on. xx
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Date: 23.02.2015
From: Denise

Subject: Re: just been told i have RA

Hi Chris
If you rheumatoid factor comes back positive but low, don't be fobbed off. My first one came back as 40 but rheumatologist dismissed it and said it was a false positive. Two years down the line it had gone up to 160 odd and last count was something like 235. It has been a process of suck it and see with the drugs but I am still not convinced ... feel that I should be getting more relief than I am. So despite however rough you feel, take a firm hand with these docs cos they are not the ones that are suffering. Good luck.
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