Confused and yeah I'm Scared too | Arthritis Information

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I'm a 39 year old male who up until four months ago led a normal healthy life. In november 07, I was stricken with what my doctor thought was the flu. After a week of fevers and sweats I became very achy. I went back to my doctor who ordered blood test, which subsequently showed up normal. After a month of still feeling achy, sore and having some pain in various joints, I went back and had further blood test performed, which were then found to have a shown a positive for possible RA. I was then referred to a rheumatologist who now tells me that my most recent bloodwork is showing up with a positive for RA on one test and a negative on another. Further test have been ordered, but my Rheumatologist feels strongly that I have RA. I'm now in my third month of dealing with the unknown, I'm very limited in my physical capabilities......it is so discouraging to not be able to do tasks that I hardly even had to think of or put any effort to, just a few short months ago. I have had difficulty doing even the most basic tasks like buttoning my shirt or turning door handles. Since this has all come about I have found myself dealing with a roller coaster of emotions.  I've been so overwhelmed with the information I've heard or read about on the internet, that I don't know what to do. I'm afraid to workout for fear that I'll make myself worse. I've also read about how your diet can play a role, so I'm nervous about what to eat as well. 

Can anyone with RA tell me, what has been beneficial for them as far as foods to avoid or exercises to try.

Hello and welcome to the "Club", though I am sorry you are becomming a member.  Your story sounds a lot like mine in that it hit fast.  One day I was working out and the next I couldn't do anything.

 
As far as foods, I am not sure.  I eat anything....and exercise, well I haven't been able to do much of any of that lately either, though I am told that water exercise is good, as it is easy on the joints.  Do you have access to a pool??
 
Again, welcome and feel free to post questions about anything...we are here to help.
Hello and Cordelia2008-02-27 00:44:49

Hi and welcome -

Do you know which tests were what?  Can you find out?
 
Hugs,
 
Pip
any exercise is good for you though a balanced combination of strength, cardio and streching is best
 
As Pip asked exactly what tests were done and what were the individual results
are you currently on any medication
It's scary business this RA and not knowing exactly whats happening can be very frustrating.
I'm a bloke and 15 months into all this, I still find it frustrating not being able to do what used to be an easy task.
I think I can speak for all of us here when I say that we know what it is like to not be able to open a door or use a knife properly.

Once you are DX'ed and onto the meds, things will improve, and with a bit of luck you will be on your way again.

As has been mentioned, try not to stress as that does not help, at least in my case it doesn't.

All the best.
Nice to greet another new member although I wish you didn't have to be here.  You have received great advice already.  All I wish to add is try to get some good support around you, people that can help to calm you when under stress or in pain.  You will need a good relationship with your GP and it helps of course with your rheumatologist too.  You may need a whole team of people but we will cross that bridge when we come to it.  It is great to come on here and vent as we all know exactly what you are going thru.  Try and take one day at a time, keep a journal of your pain levels, which joints are hurting, how long your morning stiffness is lasting.  What you can and can't do anymore.  These records always come in handy later, you get asked all these questions somewhere down the line and I have found it very helpful to keep a journal.  All the best and don't be afraid to PM me or anyone on here, we all understand and care.  All the best, Janie. 

Welcome romanb.  We really don't want any new members, (we want a cure) but we welcome anyone who has to be here.  Please use this forum for all your worries, questions, and any extra support you need. 

Your journey so far is very much like my sister's was, more severe than mine.  She was diagnosed nearly nine years ago and you'd never know she has RA if she didn't tell you.  She eats whatever she wants and is very active in life and in her garden.  It took several months to find the right mix of drugs for her, but all is well and has been for many years now. 

It's totally understandable that you're worried, afraid, frustrated and all the things that go along with a DX of RA.  You'll get through this and we'll be here to help. 

Hi Roman.  RA hit me hard and fast last year.  I understand how you feel.  Please be encouraged that once your Rheumatologist gets you on the right meds, things can go back to normal, or very close to it.  I'm living proof of that (as are many others on the board).  Be patient though, it can take a while.  It took several months for me, more or less for others.
 
I was REALLY bad before the meds (methotrexate and enbrel).  Could barely walk and like you, getting dressed, opening a door, hold a coffee cup, these were all extremely painful and challenging and sometimes impossible. 
 
But as bad as I was, now I can do just about everything I ever could, including weight training, cardio exercise,  almost everyday.  I say almost because I do still  have an occasional flare.  But if that's the worst of it, I can take it.
 
So take heart, try not to worry.  It's not as bad as you're thinking it will be. Really.
Nothing much else to say except Welcome!! Just wanted to say hi and welcome!  I was just diagnosed a week ago, so I know how you're feeling.  I wake up each morning thinking "Nope, I don't want to do this.  I don't want to deal with this."  Unfortunately that's just not an option. 
Keep reading... research, research, research.  Some of it will be really scary.  You'll see some scary pics as well... But remember that a lot of that is worst case scenario, and a lot of those are people who didn't have access to the meds that we do today.
As you research, you'll find good stuff too.  Ask LOTS of questions.  This can and will get better. 
I'm only 21 and having to deal with this.  It's hard and scaring me to death... but I can and I will get through this.
I'm not sure who told me this... but I love it.... "I have RA, but it doesn't have me!!"
Keep asking questions, as will I... and soon enough, we'll have all the people here completely annoyed by us!  haha What Red Flags your case for me is a month of fevers and sweats and then he other symptoms. Could this be an infection? Lyme or some other thing? Did you take any antibiotics ???Welcome Roman,
 
I was DX'd in Nov 07 too. I've encountered more people than I would have expected to meet who also had their onset in Nov 07. Gee what was going on in the world that we all got struck?
 
I too had trouble with the door knobs- began leaving everything ajar with notes PLEASE DO NOT SHUT, etc..
 
Once I started responding to the medicines (first week of Jan. I started to feel really good and no longer have major issues although I don't feel like my old pre RA self.
 
Best of luck to you. You've found a comforting site to visit.
Thank you to all who have taken the time to respond. I really appreciate all the words of encouragement and positive feedback. As for my medications, right now I'm taking the same medication my original doctor gave me three months ago, an anti-inflammatory called Diclofenac, a muscle relaxant called SOMA and some over the counter Tylenol.

Thanks again to everyone.
Roman  Hi Roman...welcome!Hello Roman, Welcome here !
You will learn alot from reading different post and asking any thing you want to learn.
I too was like you , not being able to do lots of things for myself when I first got Ra but it has been under control for years now with an occasional flare up .
Keep positive-It will get better !!!
Welcome!  You're not alone, remember that.  I woke up one day and couldn't use my hands and barely walked, a friend had to put my shoes and sox on me to take me to the doctor.  Long story short, with medication I can do a lot more.  It's a process to be DX'd and to find the right combo of drugs for you.  It's been 14 mos. for me and they're still tweeking the meds, but I can walk, turn on faucets, etc. now.  It takes patience, try to not stress out.
 
Best of luck and keep us posted!

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