Hi,
My name is Tammy, 28 yr old single mother of my 5 yr old son alan. I just got diagnosed w/ Rheumatoid Arthritis. I have taken care of elderly people w/ this and they have a hard time with this type of arthritis. I never thought it would happen to ME. I just cried in front of my Doctor when he told me I have this. Can u tell me from your view. Will it get worse? What is gonna happen to me? Can I live a normal life? I dont mean to sound like a whiner, im just really really scared. Any replies will be helpful and most of all apppreciated.
Tammy
Welcome tammy... sorry to hear about your DX... ive been there.. most of us have... so remember you are NOT alone!!!
If you check out the forum on being newly diagnosed (its one page back at the very top) it has lots of good info about being new to RA. Also, read the forums here.. lots of good people and good info...if you read far enough it will prolly answer most of your immediate questions.
As for will it get better or worse... that depends on you.. we are all different and RA effects us differently.. for instance.. i just got back from Disney for a week and i feel fine... some others here would never have made it and some would have used a wheelchair etc... we are all different and in different stages and on different meds.
Again.. welcome and have fun!!!!!!!! GOod luck!!!!!!!!!
Welcome! Unicorn is right, we've pretty much all been there. No one can say at what rate the disease will progress. It depends on how aggressive the RA is and in turn how aggressive your RD is.
What have been you signs and symptoms, and how long has it been going on? What treatment were you started on?
I was diagnosed just a few months ago and actually found my friends here just prior to my dx. I'm so lucky to have found this site early on, you can't imagine what a difference it has made for me.
Read as many posts as you can and you will see as Unicorn says there are people here at every stage in the game. On page 3 or 4 of the posting is a thread called something like "how about a short biography". That's a great thread to read with all of our stories. While you're there go ahead and add your own!
Everyone here is warm and friendly and there is always someone here to make you feel better.
So glad you're here!!
It's never easy hearing any kind of diagnosis when you have children to think of also. I feel for you there. Mine are older (24 and 21)so three years ago when I was diagnosed I don't think that it had the same impact that you are experiencing right now with a 5 year old. You though have come to a GREAT place... vent, whine, cry, laugh, complain whatever you need to do. We've all be there and continue to visit those times every now and again. Ask, educate, read, and become your strongest advocate. You will need to be as informed as possible in order to make some medication decisions and treatments. Speaking of which... what have they started you on? Remember there is NEVER a stupid question and we all have some kind of experience to share. *hugs* Howdy Tammy, I was also dx at 28 I am now 33. I relate to your fears, it is overwhelming. I sure know that ra was not on my list of lifegoals! My daughter was 3 and my son 6 when I was dx. It was hard in the begining, I will not lie to you. My life has been diferent post-ra. I was so worried about my kids and not being able to care for them. One good thing that had come out of this is my children are very empathetic. When it rains my kids are like, sit down Mom we'll do the dishes, or get me a drink or whatever. I will keep you and your son in my prayers. My saving grace in the begining was educating myself. I read everything I could get my hands on. For the first year it was all I talked about. Be gentle with yourself, ra is a pretty big elephant and you can eat it in small bites, one day at a time. It will get better, and we are all here rooting you on! Robin
Welcome to our little family Tammy. You've come to the right place. I'm Lovie. I'm 34 and have had this disease offically since shortly after the birth of my daughter 11 years ago. I also had a 4 year old son at that time as well. He's 15 now!! I know the struggles you are soon to face; and being a single mother will make it all the more difficult; but your young son is sure to be a source of love and support that you will find to be very comforting in the days, weeks, months and even years to come. Like Robin said; I feel like my children have grown up to be very caring and compassionate young people. It's amazing to watch my now 15 year old son automaticlly take something out of my hands that's heavy. Or open a door for me without thinking about it. It's turned him into quite the little gentleman and I'm sure that one day his wife will reap the rewards from this compassion. Definately check out page one: "New to RA? Useful links" We've all worked together to add what we feel likes some very useful information for those just starting out...scared, lonely and confused. We've all been there...and at times we revisit those feelings once again. This website has been such a comfort to all of us. We've all come to care about each other very much and all though we're basiclly "virtual friends" we've formed friendships here that we haven't been able to form anywhere else. No one quite understands us and our problems like this group here. I hope you'll stick around and get to know us. As far as the progression goes we're all very different as the others have said. One truth is though RA is a progressive disease. The rate of progression really does depend on the coarse of treatment you choose. Mine has progressively gotten worse over the years...but I manage quite well and live a full, happy life. No one here will say it's easy; that's not realistic to even think that. Educate yourself like the others have said...and decide early on to accept this as your life and learn to manage physically and mentally in a manner that is productive for you and just as importantly your young son. Again; Welcome. We sure are glad you are here. Lovie Hi Tammy, I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis. Although it may seem like the end of the world right now, it really isn't that bad. You now need to sit down with your doctor and decide on the best course of action that will stop the condition from progressing further. There are many different medications that you can try out so its a case of trial and error until you find what is right for you. You may be a bit achy for a while but keep in mind that with this disease you have good and bad days so you should look forward to waking up one morning and not being so bad. It's a lovely feeling! The best advice I could probably give is to get as much support as possible from family and friends (especially from this forum, its fantastic!) and although it may be hard at times keep a positive attitude about things. Don't let it beat you! I have found that with the care and love from people around me and remaining happy and positive whilst working with my doctor to find an appropriate med, half of the time I don't even remember I have the condition. Consider it this way, there are alot worse things in this world that we could have but fortunatly we don't. Alot of people are alot worse off and you now need to work towards making your life the best it can be. It is possible. Keep checking back here and welcome to the board. In a few months time you'll be an expert at all this RA stuff and be giving other newly diagnosed people the advice that they need. Good luck with everything x Hi Tammy, I can truly sympathize with u. Im am 28 too, and have been dxs with RA in the last couple of years. Its scary thinking of what this disease might do to you especially when youve seen the effects in older ones. But there are so many new treatments for RA, and even more are in the making as we speak. Its hard not to worry about the future(especially when you have young children) but dont let worry get in the way of you living your life. Yes there will be days where you are just about immoble, but there are also good days when you can do almost everything you set your mind to. On the bad days we are here to support you, on the good days as well. Im glad u found this site, has been of great help to me in dealing with RA and Fibro. Dont know how I would have coped without it. Welcome to our group, and happy postiing! Shawnie
Hi Tammy!
Welcome to the group. This is such a great place; I
don't know what I would have done if I hadn't found it.
I am 47 and was diagnosed about 5 months ago
(although I believe I'v had it since I was quite young.)
I know you must be very anxious being a single
mother and so young. I agree with the advice about
educating yourself; it really does help. One thing I
have learned is that there are many new treatments
now that can really make alot of difference. I'm sure
things will go well for you. Just try to really listen to
your body and how you are interacting with the
various medications.
Again, WELCOME!!
read read & read all you can and educate yourself and family & friends so they can support you now and in the future. your not alone & feel free to share your thoughts with us and ask any question you may have. you will be in my prayers..........
Hi Tammy and welcome. I'm sorry you have to be here, but this is a great place to get tons of information and ideas from people who have all BTDT.
I am 52, raising a 3 year old granddaughter, so I know how much work is involved in being a mom.
As many others have said how this stinkin illness affects you depends on a lot of variables. How agressive your Dr is, and how agressive your illness is. Please don't let the fear of "side effects" influence you too much. Every medicine has side effects and the law requires you be notified of ANY eventuality. I'm amazed they don't include car wrecks as side effects since obviously some people who have car wrecks are taking some meds.
Take care of YOU. Do all the stuff you should do anyway.. eat right, get rest, take your vitamins, laugh. Find a RD you are comfortable with and trust, this may be a long relationship.
Come here and vent and share the good stuff, and hopefully you will work out a new normal for you and your life.
Hi Tammy,