I am completely new at this. I found out that I have RA yesterday. All I can focus on is the pain. I have severe mental illness, including ADHD, which is bad when I am in pain, because I am literally unable to focus on anything but... I am 29 years old and even typing right now is killing me. My hands have become discolred and are always swollen, I have to sleep with my hands in the air. I just got engaged and how embarrassing- my fiance went with a smaller diamond so he could afford a lifetime resizing warranty! I went from a ring finger size of 7 to a size 14! He helps me to keep my hads upright while sleeping and is very supportive, but I feel that this is affecting his life in such a negative way. I am in too much pain to do ANYTHING. I am thinking about calling off the wedding because I can't do this to my sweet, generous, caring love. I would like to know what the options for pain are. What works? What doesn't? I am not opposed to strong painkillers, but what ones will help me? What ones are normally prescribed? I need something to take away the pain before I leave my fiance and ruin the best thing that has ever happened to me. My name is Samantha Bushika, 29, Bennington, Vermont.
First, don't panic. Second, don't call off the wedding.
the treatments for RA have changed drastically in the last decade, which means that your prognosis is much different than it used to be. There are so many options with medication now, including the Biologics medications (like Enbrel, Humira, Remicade) that there's every chance that you will be able to lead a close to normal life for a very long time. You need to see a rheumatologist and if you already have one, talk to them about what kind of treatments they recommend. They will most likely start you on methotrexate, probably with a dose of prednisone, as well and that may be the medication for you. Methotrexate and many other RA meds take about 6-8 weeks to kick in and in the meantime, prednisone will help reduce the inflammation and pain and protect your joints. Medications work differently for different people, so be prepared that you may have a bit of a trial and error situation before you find a medication that works well for you.
Check out our area for the newly diagnosed for posts on how to live well with this disease (including posts on relationships with lovers and family and friends). Do you have a doctor who treats you for your other conditions? If so, make an appointment to see that person as soon as possible - they may be able to help you adjust to having RA. I would also recommend counseling, both for you individually and for you and your fiancé together - developing good coping strategies now can be a big help down the line for both of you. You may already be seeing a mental health professional, in which case you're ahead of the game.
I'd also recommend that you poke around this site, read the other users' SharePosts and maybe write one of your own. One of the crucial things about living well with this disease is to find a community of people who know exactly how you feel. We have a wonderful community here with very active and supportive members, so jump in the conversation anywhere you want.
prednisone is usually the first thing prescribed it helps alot with the swelling and pain for most people it is a miracle drug...with side affects. It has helped me but I still get swelling. Some people take tylenol or ibuprofen and that is enough for them. My Dr wont prescribe anything more then lortab5/500 which is sometimes not enough some drs prescribe alot more. I hope you get some relief RA is the devil!
Hi there
It can be very overwhelming when you are first diagnosed and in my case not sleeping for months meant it was all much more difficult to deal with. I was diagnosed when I was 30 after having been sick for 2 years. I am now 36 and have been living almost a completely normal life for the last 6 years.
Granted I have to take pills everyday BUT the benefits of feeling normal again far out weigh the daily pills.
I have been taking methotrexate once a week and then predisilone (only 2 mg a day), plaquenil and celebrex daily. I work in IT so have to type all day every day, I swim(for 30 mins) or walk (for 2 hours) everyday - I make sure I sleep well and although I may be stiff at night - there is nothing that I dont or cant do - including skiing every winter and doing triathlons.
My hands are only very slightly deformed - one hand swings slightly outwards BUT no one has ever been able to tell I have this disease.
You WILL be able to get your life back and there is so much help out there now. Your rheumatologist will be able to help you - you are probably just at the most difficult part now - once youve been diagnosed you can be helped and things can only get better for you from now on.
Very best of luck and I hope you have a great wedding day!
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