Rheumatoid arthritis

[416435]

Hiya, does anyone here have rheumatoid arthritis? I have just been diagnosed with it. I hoped to hear other people's stories. The kind of questions I would like answered are listed below but you need not answer them all, please answer ones you are comfortable with.
How old were you when you were diagnosed?
What were your first signs?
How does it affect you now?
Was it easy to find medication to help?
Has anything else helped?
Do you need to take regular painkillers?
What other aspects of your life does it affect?
Any other tips or advice appreciated.
Thank you in advance.

 

[Lulu Goss]

Hi, I don’t have it myself but my mum is really suffering with it at the moment. Interested to see if there are any suggestions to help ease the pain, she’s had painkillers from the doctor and has tried things like heat pads and tiger balm but nothing has really helped!

 

[Suzesnooze]

My son was diagnosed with Junior Idiopathic Arthritis as a child which can often turn to RA in adulthood but luckily, his JIA became dormant and he's been OK since. He used to take ibupofren and have regular eye checks as JIA can cause uveitis.

His started with a swollen knee joint which caused him to limp. He was lucky in that it only ever affected that one knee. He had steroid injections in the knee.

He also had repeated tonsillitis. I spoke to a few adults once with RA who all said they had suffered with repeated tonsillitis in childhood or had their tonsils removed. I'm not sure if there's a connection?

How many joints are affected in your case? You should be under a Rheumatologist who can answer all your questions. I know the tennis player Caroline Wozniacki was diagnosed a year of so ago and has retired from Tennis but she's still very active. I think it depends on the severity of it and how many flare ups you'll have.

 

[Prince fan 1999]

Yes I have it. Had symptoms aged around 25. Officially diagnosed 6 years later. I'm now 47. Take methotrexate tablets once a week and folic acid the other days and am now fairly controlled. Get flare ups during my period. If I overdo things I'm generally in pain the next day so make sure I've a quiet day then to recover.

 

[Moodle8]

My husband has it - has been on methotrexate for last few years which has really helped. The pills had side effects but he’s now on the metoject pen which has been incredible

Also has been taking Cbd since diagnosis which I think has been an absolute godsend. He takes two sprays twice a day

He was 42 I think when diagnosed, came after his hand froze up - thought it was a sports injury but his friend said it reminded him of RA - he went to the gp who did a scan and was very lucky to be diagnosed so quickly

Main issues are tiredness and some joint pain but the Cbd oil and a regular massage has helped with that

 

[mammaof3]

I was diagnosed in 2012 when my youngest was 2, 1st signs was a stiff little finger that the GP thought was carpal tunnel. I had a blood test and my Rfactor indicated RA.

I have been on 8 meds - tablets, self-injections, etc - so far within those 8 years, either they worked but affected my liver function or they didn't work.

On and off I have had strong painkillers and steroids but at the moment I don't require any.

I am currently on Rituximab, this is administered in the hospital around every 6 months (2 days over 2 weeks)

It has been rather frustrating because of the failures and admittedly I have received counselling because of this.

My Rheumy has been excellent.

Take care x

 

[Lulu Goss]

Those of you who mentioned cbd, how do you take it/which products do you use?

 

[Hello Kitty]

Hi,

Yes I have it but I also have Crohn's too. I got it about a year or 2 after I was diagnosed with Crohn's so I was about 22 and I've had it for about 9 years

It was bad for the first year or so and medication helped (not helpful at all but I can't remember the name). It does flare up every now and then but it doesn't stop me from doing anything. I have been on Humira injections for years so that probably helps the arthritis too.

 

[Prince fan 1999]

Tried vaping CBD but didn't help. Apparently you need the THC but didn't want to be stoned

 

[Moodle8]

Those of you who mentioned cbd, how do you take it/which products do you use?

Lovecbd entourage spray and he takes two sprays twice a day but you need to start low and then build it up if not had before

You can also try a lower dose cbd first and then move into it - each person different though so you may need to try a few!

There’s a group on Facebook that’s quite helpful cbd users uk - you can do a search on there and loads of advice on how to take it

With cbd just make sure it’s at least 4 hours before or after your medication (and check there’s no interactions online as well) - with methotrexate he just waits until next day before taking again

 

[Lulu Goss]

Lovecbd entourage spray and he takes two sprays twice a day but you need to start low and then build it up if not had before

You can also try a lower dose cbd first and then move into it - each person different though so you may need to try a few!

There’s a group on Facebook that’s quite helpful cbd users uk - you can do a search on there and loads of advice on how to take it

With cbd just make sure it’s at least 4 hours before or after your medication (and check there’s no interactions online as well) - with methotrexate he just waits until next day before taking again

Thanks so much, going to pass the info on to my mum!

 

[Moodle8]

Thanks so much, going to pass the info on to my mum!

No problem happy to help