I was diagnosed with RA in October 2009. I am having a really hard time accepting this condition. I have been on Methotextrate since October 2009, sulfasalazine was recently added to my regimen in February. I do not feel any better, in fact I feel worse. My main problems are swollen puffy hands, and muscle pain & stiffness throughout my entire body. Advil does nothing to help me. I am also starting now with extreme fatigue. I am switching to another rheumatologist because I do not feel I am getting any better. My question is how long has it taken others to find the right combination of medicines before they felt better. Is muscle aches part of the RA? What medications are others taking for the muscle pain? I work full time and am afraid that I will not continue to be able to do so and will become disabled. It helps to hear from others that are going through what I am going through. I find that I do not get any sympathy from others, they only hear the word "arthritis" and tell me they have aches and pains too! I don't think people truly understand what this disease does to you. Christine
Q: Newly diagnosed with RA, not feeling better, how long before I see improvement
It can take quite a while and some trial and error to find a medication that works for you. You are on the lower rungs of the treatment ladder and sulfasalazine does take a while to kick in, so it may not be working yet. You do have a number of options and I would recommend that you speak to your rheumatologist (either current or new) about e.g., the Biologics which have been miracle medication for many. I would also recommend that you ask for a prescription for anti-inflammatories or other types of painkillers to help you get through the day. As well, talk to your doctor about whether prednisone would be a good option to help bridge the gap between now and when the medications work. As well, RA does affect muscles and tendons, so a musclerelaxant may be helpful. Hang in there - it is possible to find a medication that works for you and when you do, you'll get your life back.
You are very newly diagnosed with this disease and it takes a long time to adjust. The first year can be really hard - not only do you have to find a medication that works for you, you have to grieve the loss of your healthy self and you have to find a way to live with the new definition of normal in your life. I highly recommend a book called The First Year with Rheumatoid Arthritis -it's a terrific resource, 10 years old, but still covers many areas of getting control of your life. Also check out our area for the newly diagnosed for posts about all aspects of living well with this disease (and it really is possible to live well with it). One of the posts in that area is about how to deal with the reaction from family and friends - it might help you feel less alone.
I would also suggest that you consider getting counseling, especially from someone who specializes in cognitive therapy. I've seen a number of counselors over my 40+ years with this disease and the one who did cognitive behavioral therapy was the most helpful - I still use the coping mechanisms I learned there and I haven't needed to see a therapist since. Also, talk to your doctor about antidepressants - when you're under a serious amount of stress for long enough, it alters the serotonin levels in your brain, which cause depression. It's not going to magically make your better, but it will help you get to a point where you can start taking control of your life again.
in terms of your job, check out my post on working with RA. It has links to a number resources that can help you possibly get accommodations, which can make it easier to do your job. your employer is legally obligated to accommodate you, as long as you are still able to do the essential duties of the job.
Good luck! Please let us know how things go?
So glad we're able to help!
I too have just been diagnosed in 10/09. I am on 20 mg of methotrexate and 7.5 mg of prednisone. I still have a lot of aches and pains and this website and blog has helped me tremendously just because it helps me realize I am not alone or crazy!! Thank you... all of you.
Gerry
I was diagnoses 6 years ago and do believe that I have found the right combo of meds. But I don't think that means what you think that means. I am never completely pain free, I may have some pain free days but never more than one day at a time. But I can get up in the morning and not feel like a train ran me over in the middle of night. I can go through my day without a nap or two. I can go to the gym and exercise three days a week and have it put me on my but for the next week. I can walk, and run if I wanted to . I can hold my husbands hand pain free 5 out of 7 days that I think is great. I honestly don't think there is a pain all the time the right meds just make it more comfortable. I also still get a huge flare in my feet from nov to march they swell up so much that I can't move my toes and soak them in ice water at night. It took 4 years to get here, be patient it will come but alot of it needs to be you not letting this desease get to you. You own it not the other way the around.
Thanks so much for taking the time to respond. I cry almost every day. I just feel sometimes that I will never feel better. I agree that I have to get "myself" under control, and try to learn to deal with this. I just feel like crap just about every day so that makes it hard. I wish you well with your condition! Take care, Christine
Hi Chris,
Such good advise has been given you. It wont seem like much comfort, because it wont be exactly what you want to hear, but their right.
*be patient with your meds. if after a month or two no different GO BACK to your
doctor. You have to be persistant, and consistant with your doctor.
*Your life will not be the same. I had to let go and say this is the new me. It took about a year befofe I summited to it, and finally accepted it. THAT PART WAS DEVISTATING. But now I'm a lot happier, and a lot more positive than I use to be.
*Do not push your self! As already stated. You have to know your limitations. I baby the crap out of my feet. Because if I don't, they swell up and I am out of comission for at least a day, if not two or three days.
*Exersize is amazingly helpfull. I would not exercise untill you have got your meds under controll. Then steadily, and consistantly introduce exersize.
* You have to get a support system in place, if you don't it's too hard. My husband rocks when it comes to supporting me. When we go on walks, or on hikes, he baby's the crap out of me, and teases me and calls me his "handicapped wife" :)
P.S. Advil doesn't do jack! Ask about Predisone.
Hope this helped!
Sallly
When i was first diagnosed it took a year for me to experience relief from my pain. My doctor tried several medications and none really abated my pain. Unfortunately, all meds don't work the same for all people and it is basicaly trial and error. I finally had success with enbrel and later humira..they really gave my life back to me. If you are in sever pain, i would try asking your doctor to go on prednisone for a while if possible. This can make a great difference in your quality of life now. My symptoms were definitely worse the first 3 years of diagnosis and it took a while for me to adjust to the pattern of flare-ups. Don't give up hope!
Thank you so much! I am getting so frustrated, and I am not a patient person. I've been on the Methotextrate for 6mos, and sulfasalazine was added in February. I am going to a whole new rheumatologist now. I am not in excruiating pain at all, it is more like an all over body muscle pain and stiffness, along with puffy swollen hands. I hope the new rheumatologist will have a new plan of action. My current rheumatologist did give me methyyprednislone a few times which made me feel almost normal. However, as soon as I was done with it, my symptoms started up again. Also, it made my blood sugar go up, and I've already been told I was borderline diabetic before I even started taking that. She did tell me you can't be on the steroids for too long as they have a lot of side affects. I just want to get rid of the head to toe muscle pain and stiffness, and to have my hands feeling normal again. I try not to get depressed, but I find myself crying most days. I feel the worst when I am at work because I sit at a computer for 8 hrs a day. When I get up, I feel like a "rusted Tin Man that needs oil". Hopefully I will find the right combo of meds soon! I wish you well and thank you for taking the time to answer my question. Christine
I agree with what everyone says, finding the right combo of drugs that works can take time. Also it is very important to get your pain under control. It has taken numerous different pain killers to (after several years) get mine under control. As for feeling yucky most of the time, I have kind of got use to it but I try to take short walks during the day and it does help, mine is worse in my knees so walking can be pretty painful. Remember we are all in the same boat so hang in there and I hope you too can feel better soon!!
Thanks Christine for you first year words of tears. I was diagnosed in Nov 09 and sort of am in your shoes too. I've been told by many to give myself a year before I expect my life to become acceptable, and to know my old self is done. That's really a tough one for me as I worked very hard to be the tough ol'bird I'd become and to just shut the door on that person is overwhelming! I am in counseling weekly for the anger above all, about having RA and the changes it's bringing into my days. I'm realizing pain is low grade but daily, but the extreme fatigue lays me out cold. I so so much depend on this website and all the sharing of those living with RA to know what to expect, what to learn, different meds that will be part of my future - I still haven't seen a rheumie - insurance issues & I live in Little Town America, but I do trust my MD. I've been on prednisone for months now. I lost my job in Feb and no one will hire me. Life is scary some days.
Thank you to all that share here - you help my every day living... Laurie
Hi Laurie,
Thanks for answering my question. Do you mind if I ask how old you are? I am 48 years old and feel that it hit me in the prime of my life. I find myself looking at healthy people and resenting them. I have no energy. I primarily have muscle pain and stiffness in my entire body, and swollen puffy hands. I agree that this website helps me too! I do have a rheumatologist, but am not happy with her so will be switching to another one next week. It is so hard to know that you will never be the same as you were before. The prednisone (my dr. gave my methlypredlislone which I think is the same), did help me, but dr. said I couldn't be on it long term, and I started feeling crappy as soon as I was done it. It also raised my blood sugar. I work full time, but am afraid that someday I will be disabled. Everybody just hears the word "arthritis" and don't realize that this is a serious disease. I wish you well with your therapy, I hope I don't have to do that. I did go through depression initially, the good thing about that was I lost 20 lbs!! I try to think to myself, it could be worse. At least I don't have cancer!. Feel free to keep in touch, it helps to talk to others. Thanks again, Christine
hello every one.well i was diganosed with RA about 6 years back nd at that point of time i was 21.now im 27 and mother of 3 kids.i have seen lots of ups and down in my RA.during pregnency i am very fine and active but soon after delivery it triggers and results are very very bad.swollen joints.zero mobility.and stiffness.the pain travels fron joint to joint.these days my ankles are badly affected.swollen and movement is difficult but still thanks God i manage to do all my work by my self.sometimes my fingures are so swollen that thy cannot be bent.now i ma taking homeopatic treatment andfeels very better.
can any one tell me do u go thorough any blood test regularly for RA, like uric acid or any other.hot water bath is a big relief.
i am not at all disappointed and i thanks God that its only RA .it could be any other desease als which could make me bed ridden for ever.!!!!!!
cheers
ayesha
Hi Christine - I'm 59. I just graduated university in 2007, did 14 months with AmeriCorps all in prep to teach baby boomers how to better take care of themselves as they come of age, y'know nutrition and exercise, fresh air and meditation, stuff like that. And I come home to hands that I can't open and knees that left me lame, and a fatigue that is more confusing - I know how to take care of myself, so I can teach others. Now this. RA. I also resent healthy friends that are living as fast as they can while I go home and rest. I haven't gotten over that lump yet. I've worked very hard for years for these coming times, and now the RA will end all those plans and dreams and goals. Counseling is good - it's an excellent outlet rather than showing my anger to friends that don't understand or know what to do. Instead they see me as quiet and withdrawn, something I've never been!!
Hang in there Christine, this first year of change is something we both get to live thru and survive. I've read some of the others say it's the best thing that could have happened to them, not knowing that in their beginnings either. Y'might have to remind me of my own words sometimes, as the fatigue really gets me.... 
Laurie
Thanks Laurie! I hope to be able to accept it someday. I noticed that initially I was mainly having muscle pain, now my knees have a burning sensation and today my ankle was bothering me. I've been miserable! I'm hoping this new doctor that i see on Tuesday will be able to help me. I am glad that your counselling is helpful to you. I have so many medical bills right now, I am just trying to avoid adding more by going to therapy. I just keep trying to remind myself that it could always be worse!! I did have a second cousin who had Lupus and RA, so I am wondering if it is hereditary. I'm halfway through my first year of knowing that I have this--but just feel I am getting worse instead of better. Hopefully I'll get different meds that will help more. I agree that the fatigue is sometimes worse than the pain, which at this point is more like an annoyance than anything excrutiating. I wlsh you well, please keep in touch! Sincerely, Christine
Before I was diagnosed with RA three years ago, I hurt so much that I couldn't believe medication of any kind would help me. I lived in fear that the wreck I was, is how my life would be forever more. Lucky for me, my physician (a board certified rheumatologist) was confident that we would find the right combination of drugs to work. He told me straight away, that it was all about pain management. Once we found the right combination (of drugs), it was up to me to see to it that I had little or no pain. I have pain in the morning, especially in the winter months, but it lasts no more than the time it takes for ibuprofen to kick in. My feet sweat, and ache. I usually have some imflamation in my hands and wrists when I am inactive. In the winter I am afraid of being cold, as it de-mobilizes me. But, I won't let it stop me.
I walk regularly as exercise, work full time, eat the right things, and I am able to do what I was frightened I would never do again, like hold my grandchildren, open the car door and climb stairs.
I feel thankful and happy to be alive and living the life that I am.
I hope that you don't give up and keep in mind that only you can make the real difference here. Feeling sorry for yourself is ok at first (you do deserve to feel a little self pity), but don't don't accept that pain is your way of life now. A positive attitude will make a difference. There are so many more drugs out there now that weren't even five years ago. Once you find a physician who will listen to you, never stop telling him or her how you are feeling. Let them help you. Good luck!
Chris,
I'm so sorry you haven't yet found a regimen that works for you. I know how hard it is to try to be positive or optimistic, but try to hang in there. I was diagnosed 2 years ago at age 53, approximately 2 months after I noticed symptoms. After starting Plaquenil and naproxen with so-so results, then a couple of 7-day rounds of prednisone, my rheumatologist started me on methotrexate (15 mg per week). I felt almost normal within 6 months. I have had good results with this, and no longer routinely take naproxen. Everyone responds differently, of course. But my rheumatologist said my lab results indicated that I have a relatively severe case of RA. I am fortunate that I rarely have pain or swelling now. I attribute some of this to yoga, which I practiced for some time before I was diagnosed, and still do. I was already receiving treatment for depression, so that too helped me to cope with the new diagnosis. I am still able to work full time, but I try to get enough sleep. Please keep trying. In the meantime, therapy for depression may also be helpful. Best of luck to you.
How do I know when I have "cranky body syndrome or RA"???? just tired body, cranky..... or RA? Laurie
I would change doctors. I have it had 26 years for 16 years nothing helped until Remicade came. It got me out of the wheel chair. There are so many new medicines now days that are fast working. The are infusions and different kind of shots that can be taken at home. All of them you take methrotraxate with but they are wonderful and. Ask your doctore about any of these. They are worth it.
They also help with your joinbts not getting crippled. I wish they had remicade when I got my RA. Goopd luck from the bottom of my heart, I will pray for you.
debi
Thanks so much for the advice. The new biologics scare me because of the high risk of infection. I see my new rheumatologists on Tuesday and hopefully she can prescribed me different meds. I don't understand why my other rheumatologists never game me anything for the muscle pain that I experience. Advil does nothing to help me. I am so glad you are not in a wheelchair anymore. I wish you well! Sincerely, Christine
I am also where you are. I have been through a number of different drugs, but still have not found the right ones yet. Right now I am in New York City with two of my older children visiting my youngest who goes to school here. After walking, sightseeing, going up and down subway stairs too numerous to count I reached a point where I could not take one more step. I spent 14 hours in bed. I am so frustrated.
Thank you for your response. Do you mind my asking what drugs you have taken, and for how long? I've been on the Methotextrate for 6 mos. sulfasalazine was added in February. My inflammatory markers in my bloodwork have not decreased at all, I feel worse if anything. My main problem is swollen puffy hands and entire body muscle stiffness and pain. Dr. says I might have fibromyalgia also. I do have fatigue also, some days worse than others. I don't feel my rheumatologist is doing enough for me, and I have an appointment with another one on Tuesday. I share your frustration, I feel that I will never be better. It does help to talk to others that are going through the same thing. Sincerely, Christine
Your wise to change Doctors......This one must be missing something. I have had RA for 24 yrs.......probably longer but diagnosed for 24. I had pain like you describe. Took anti-inflammatorie pills and gold pills. They don't use gold anymore that i am aware of ......i got better right away.....I think it was the anti-iflammatories. i was afraid to take methatrexate because everyone was saying it was bad back then. Since i didn't i have a lot of deformity in hands and feet. When i say I got better I mean i felt better.......even though the deformity went on. A lot of people DON'T get deformity so don't be scared. Diet can help a lot.I will be praying for you!
Important:
We hope you find this general health information helpful. Please note however, that this Q&A is meant to support not replace the professional medical advice you receive from your doctor. No information in the Answers above is intended to diagnose or treat any condition. The views expressed in the Answers above belong to the individuals who posted them and do not necessarily reflect the views of Remedy Health Media. Remedy Health Media does not review or edit content posted by our community members, but reserves the right to remove any material it deems inappropriate.
Featuring Content From:
By using this service, you accept our Terms of Use. Please read them. The consumer health information on is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. You should promptly seek professional medical care if you have any concern about your health, and you should always consult your physician before starting a fitness regimen. Copyright © 2012 Remedy Health Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
I too have just been diagnosed in 10/09. I am on 20 mg of methotrexate and 7.5 mg of prednisone. I still have a lot of aches and pains and this website and blog has helped me tremendously just because it helps me realize I am not alone or crazy!! Thank you... all of you.
Gerry