Newly diagnosed and have questions

So sorry to hear you are feeling the way that you do. I totally understand about the denial, especially after you talk to your family and they aren't sure what you are feeling or understand what it is. It can really make you wonder about the disease, am I really this sick or is it all in my head! The pain is pretty much constant for me but, everyone is different. I am on methotrexate injections once a week and it helps. You will feel like a train has run over you and that you can't get out of bed, but I have just decided to get up every morning and make myself do the things I need to do. I try not to let it get to me but it does. Hope you feel better soon..

Glea

I am on prednisone 30mg, methotrexate 15mg and folic acid 1mg.
My swelling has gotten a lot better the past 2 days. I can almost make a fist now. Still a lot of pain and stiffness but at least the swelling is down. I will take any progress at this point.
So when swelling and pain come back after remission a different dosage may be needed? Is it 'normal' to be switching meds and doses to keep control over the disease? Sorry if questions seem silly but I am very new to RA.

Diagnosed with RA in feb. 2013. Was on Prednisone for short term therapy until methotrexate kicked in. Metho alone was not enough so started on Enbrel/metho. worked great for a few months then started with SEVERE headaches/depression/wt gain. Yesterday had my 3rd injection of Humira/Metho/Folic Acid. It has completely transformed my life. My husband says I am back to my old self. Smiling, cleaning my house, participating in life again. My message is don't give up. Keep talking with your Rheumatologist about what you are going through and experiencing. Finding what works for you is different for everyone. These forums are truly wonderful in letting you know you aren't the only one and offer the support that is so desperately needed. Good luck on your journey with the process. I pray you will find relief from the pain.

Hi Chalumeau777, For the average person, remission means that the disease is gone. For most doctors remission means there has been a significant reduction in the signs and symptoms of RA, but it doesn't necessarily mean that the RA is gone. But in reality it doesn't matter once the exhaustion, pain and stiffness are gone and you feel like your old self again. I have experienced feeling like my old self again so I know it’s possible. This is very important because I was beginning to believe that the life I was living with RA was normal. It was not and being reminded that life can be much bigger and much easier has encouraged me to keep trying until I feel like that again. Unfortunately the mix of meds I was on was too hard on my liver so I am trying something new now. It’s looking promising. It has been my experience that a certain amount of switching meds and doses is normal procedure because one size does not fit all and you must find the best fit for you.
Regarding denial I did find it hard to believe I had RA. I try to keep positive but it can be very hard sometimes. I have recently started Mindfulness Meditation using a CD at home. It seems to help me stop worrying so much. I also try very hard to do some exercise outside of the home. Recently I have been swimming (very slowly with flotation support) in a warm pool. The heat seems to be good for the pain and I stop if anything hurts me. I always feel better emotionally for having done it.
Regarding a flare up ie. your pain, stiffness, exhaustion increases way beyond your normal base level, (some people’s base level may be no symptoms at all) then your Doc will probably increase your steroids temporarily till things settle down and will gradually reduce them back to normal as the flare up recedes. If it doesn't recede they will either increase the other meds you are on or try something new.
I hope this helps you. Hang in there. Neenaa

I was born with J.I.A. also known as junior rheumatoid arthritis. I was in denile for a long time & stopped meds & I just wanted to be a normal teenager. I've been on many different meds some cause I had reactions, & others cause they stopped working. Its very depressing when you realize this is what your life is going to be, & short periods of remission is all you can look forward to. I've had one corrective surgery on my foot with toe fusion, & within the next month total wrist replacement, I'm 34, & was told that once your diagnosed with one autoamune disease it opens the door for others so I also have others & the hardest thing is excepting my limitations, they are many & the list grows all the time. Its an uphill battle, but ignoring or denying you have this will not make it better, or go away. There are good days even if your not in remission & those for me seem to be the hardest not to over do it, I feel good & so much needs done that I end up paying for it for a week, Im learning even on a good day pace myself & don't do it all just because I think I can. One positive I have taken from this is sympathy not for myself, but for others. On the outside I look like everyone else for the most part, I walk different lol but sitting you can't tell so I'm sympathetic not to judge others & what they go threw & deal with cause even if they look fine on the outside you never know the everyday pain they could be in, & also I appreciate life more that I've accepted this & truly understand how to be thankful for the little things in life.

Hi Chalumeau777. I'm sorry to hear you are feeling so down. There are quite a few challenges when trying to deal with a diagnosis of RA. When I was newly diagnosed my mental capabilities were badly affected. In fact I couldn't do my job properly. My mind kept blanking out and I couldn't follow through a line of reasoning. I wasn't on any medication at this stage so I have to assume my RA was causing the problem. My mental capabilities have improved and dis-improved since then depending on how active the disease is. As for feeling down and disconnected I'm guessing that life has been quite difficult for you of late. That can make it hard to care what is going on around you. I'm glad you found this forum. It has helped me feel connected with the world outside my front door. Maybe you could decide to give yourself a chance to get used to life with RA. Give yourself permission to take each day as it comes. Have no expectations of what you should be feeling or achieving and let your body dictate your pace where possible. I try to do this. I have found that I don't feel such a failure, instead I get pleasure from small achievements. It doesn't always work out of course but a lot of the time it does. Good luck, Neenaa

Hang in there! When I was first diagnosed over 10 yrs ago, it took about a month for the meds to kick in and for me to feel so much better. The fatigue and pain are what what I found put me in a depressive state nevermind being either unable to do basic things or struggling to do them (just getting out of bed in the morning was torture). Keep trying different medications until one works for you.