Just been diagnosed with RA | Arthritis Information

Hi I have just been diagnosed recently with early RA and am taking methotrexate 10mg once aweek plaquenil & sulfasalazine daily and folic acid 5mg day after metho. Im a bit blown away by all this medication. Hi there and welcome. The disease and all that comes with it is pretty overwhelming. I had a hard time just adjusting to the idea I was well and truly sick, much less what I had to take to control the disease. Are the medications working for you? Helping to control the pain and inflammation? This is important, because you want to get good control over the disease early on and do what you can to maintain that control.

Please, come here anytime to ask any questions you may have about medications, the disease or maybe to just vent. We have lots of nice people here more than willing to answer questions and offer support.

Thank you Waddie.. I have only just started taking meds so its only been a week i have been told that i will be on meds for the rest of my life and its blown me away... Mind you I am 50. Scary though . I guess its just something I have to come to terms with . The thing is Im not in that much pain at the moment but in the past it has been horrendous as in I had trouble with my feet and being on my feet all the time 9 hrs a day didnt help either Awww, I'm sorry and I completely understand! I'll be 54 this year! That's young in my book! Some days, I feel 90! I have loads of things I still want to do, my own bucket list! Australia and New Zealand are places I have on the list! Waddie I'm so glad ive found u guys... nice to have someone to share my concerns with thank you . I just wanted to say welcome to the board. I hate that you need to be here, but you will find many people who can help you out. Your meds are pretty much what I started out with at the beginning. I am 33 now and have had RA since I was a teen. I know the meds are scary, but you want to hit the RA hard now before it starts to get out of control. I still work (teacher) and I have a 6yr old son. I give total credit to my dr. who started me on Methotrexate from day one. Now, this is not unusual. But, when I was diagnosed, not many did-especially with kids.

Ask away....it's the only way to learn.

rocckyd2010-04-02 22:00:53HI, just to welcome you and tell you that you have come to a great information venue. Waddie has given you some great input already, I am afraid I have no energy today so this will be short but glad you found us and hang on in there. Keep a journal, they are invaluable. Janie.Just a note to welcome you. I was diagnosed in 2007 and am on MTX, Plaquenil and Folic Acid. The other posts gave you good info. I really believe rest is very important in combating the fatigue caused by RA. Hi, welcome.. just wanted to let you know I really feel your pain... I too work in a supermarket, am 54, it was sooo hard in the beginning. my feet was also my first symtoms.

I was lucky to find a combo of meds that have really helped me... the Mtx helped it will take a few weeks to feel the benefit. and Dr may increase dosage. after about 6 months I was feeling better, but stil had some pain, RD wanted me to try Remicade.. I was hessitant at first.. but my insurance covered this, so I decided to give it a chance.. this has been a really good drug for me. I started taking every 8 weeks now I'm every 10 weeks..

Hope you can find the right meds to help you. also I beleive exercise is really important.. I know with you feet, that may feel imposible but try to keep moving.. also wearing inserts for your feet may give you some relief.
Good luck to you...