Newbie

By kc1piw

1 min read

I'm new to the group. Thanks for adding me I'm 38 newly diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis got appointment in few weeks for long term treatment I'm on steroids and oramorph at the minute any advice would be greatly appreciated.

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jennl Member
Hi Krista, Thank you so much for sharing your story, and for being part of our community! While we cannot give personal medical advice, you may get feedback on personal experience from the community by posting in the forums: <a href='https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/forums' target='_blank'>http://rheumatoidarthritis.net/forums/</a>. In addition to that, we thought this page on treatment might be useful: <a href='https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/treatment' target='_blank'>http://rheumatoidarthritis.net/treatment/</a>. Lastly, this article on meeting a new rheumatologist for the first time might also prove helpful: <a href='https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/meeting-new-rheumatologist' target='_blank'>http://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/meeting-new-rheumatologist/</a>. Thank you again for sharing your story with us! Please feel free to keep us posted on how you're doing. We welcome you to share here or in our forums any time. Best, Jenn (Community Manager, <a href='https://rheumatoidarthritis.net' target='_blank'>RheumatoidArthritis.net</a>)
Member
Hi Krista- Having been diagnosed at 32 (I'm now 55) I know firsthand what you must be feeling. It can be scary and overwhelming. First and foremost you need to put yourself first (which is hard for women to do, especially if you are married and or have children). You need to eat a well balanced healthy diet, get regular exercise, and plenty of sleep. When you have autoimmune disorders you need more than the recommended 8 hours of sleep. Within 3 years of my diagnosis I quickly blew through the 5 most common DMA's for RA. When Enbrel got FDA approval I was one of the first patients to receive it. My personal experience- it was like a miracle cure for me. For 15 years I had excellent quality of life. Sadly, in 2008 I was diagnosed with additional autoimmune problems that are contraindicated with Enbrel and I had to discontinue using it. I don't know how severe your RA is, but you might want to open up a discussion with your Dr about Enbrel. Keep positive- it's hard sometimes I know.. but look... I'm still here 😀
1. kc1piw Member
 Thanks for your input hun will Def take it all on board wheni see my RA team on 23rd June where they are going to sort out my long term treatment plan. Having a severe flare up at the moment my left fit right up to the knee is swollen and numb and now my right foot had swollen up buti can't walk cos it feels like I have a permanent dead leg Dr came out and just have me a weeks worth of anti inflammatory pills just hope wheni go on 23rd they can sort something out for me but I will Def talk about what you have told me xx thanks for your support x