I just got my bloodword results - tested positive for RA after treating Lyme's 7 weeks ago -

I'm sorry you have to wait so log to get in! I was diagnosed in April and had to wait almost two months to get in after calling all the rheumatologist in town and that was earlier than my original apt. have you tried that? If I can help at all or if you have any questions let me know!

First, contact the rheumatologists office and ask to be put on the cancellation list - that means that if somebody canceled the appointment, they'll call you and you make it in sooner. talk to your family doctor about prescribing prednisone, which can reduce inflammation and protect your joints from damage, bridging the gap until you can see a rheumatologist.

When you have a chronic illness like RA, it's important to become a good advocate for yourself (for more about self advocacy, click here). We are taught to do what doctors say and let them make the decisions, but all that changes when you have a chronic illness - it's your body and your life, so you make the decisions. your doctors are part of the team, but you are the team leader.

Educate yourself about your illness - the more you know, the more in control you will feel and the less scared you'll be. There are a number of posts in our reference area that can be helpful to you - our area about the basics of RA will teach you more about the disease and the section for people who have just been diagnosed contains posts on living well with RA in many different ways, including 5 things to do for the newly diagnosed.  I can also highly recommend getting a book called The First Year with have rheumatoid Arthritis (for a review of the book in an interview with its author, click here).

And keep coming back here. It is very empowering and comforting to be around people who know what you feel and who have been where you are and we have a wonderful community of very supportive users. Ask questions, blow off steam, we're here to help.

Hang in there. the first year is usually pretty challenging as you learn to adjust to life with a chronic illness, get your treatment settled, grieve the diagnosis. The prognosis of RA has changed radically in the last 10 years and once you find a medication that works for you, you have every chance of living a pretty normal life. I've lived with this disease for over 40 years and it is possible to get to a point where the disease is muttering in the background while you focus on living your life.