Recently Diagnosed with RA

[LindaF]

Hi
I have just been diagnosed with RA, in my hands feet and knee's. My doctor is sending me for an x-ray on my hands before referring me to a consultant.
Can some-one explain what the future looks like with this complaint, and why are they only x-raying my hands when I have this in my knee's and feet also?
How does RA affect day to day living, will I be able to continue working and leading a normal life?
LindaF

[makeba2005]

Hi Linda

I was just diagnosed also with RA mostly in my knees.  I think for you the doc wants to see how much damage there maybe in your hands being that the fingers have smaller joints, for some people their fingers may show damage quicker than the other joints would.  More than likely once he has your xrays then you will go to get an MRI so that he can make a comparison.  This was the case for me;  now I am taking Mobic for inflamation, prednisone for mobility and Sulfasalizine to slow down the progression on OA and RA. 

You will have good days and some bad days it is all in how fast or slow the RA will work on your joints, everyone is different.  For me; I can tell if it is going to rain , just think possitive and don't over do just because you feel great you end up feeling it later.  Take your time doing things: enjoy every moment, it helps to stay possitive.

So it is a process, just be patient.

[Mrs Mop]

Hi  ive had RA for just over three years now, when I was first diagnosed I thought my life would be over.  I am now on Enbrel injections, which I have twice a week. I am still working as a domestic for a hospital near by. I work 30hrs a week. My life has changed.  I now have to have a rest for a couple of hrs at dinner time.  Some days are better than others but you just have to learn to pace yourself.

[zengirl]

Hi,

I'm usually in the cruciate ligmanets area, but thought I'd pop in here to say that I'm being blood tested for RA and get the results back some time this week. I go to the doctors at the end of this week or beginning of next to find out if I have it. Quite scary...