Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...
Hello everyone. Well, it's official. Definitely RA. With all my signs and symptoms, xrays & labs. She stressed my result of my anti-CCP being a strong positive and how it is specific to RA. She is starting me on Mobic, Sulfasalazine, & Meloxicam. My follow up appt is Feb 6th and she will probably start me on Methotrexate then(she didn't want to "shock" my system to much at first.) I'll start taking them tomorrow. I have to have bloodwork done every 2 weeks for 3 months, then once a month for 3 months...she is also setting me up with an optometrist to check my eyes because one of the meds can cause fluid behind the eyes and can cause vision loss. Wow! A lot to take in! Feel a little overwhelmed. I knew it would be life changing but Wow! One thing is for sure I'll keep looking at the positives!!!! Thank you all for your support. You are a wonderful group of people!
In my view, there is something that we often loose sight of as we get "news" almost every visit and then worry about this, that and the other ...51percent said it most recently.
Be patient as you start down your meds path. Make notes, what you eat, when you fell bad, what did you do that may have caused that reaction. If you over analyze every detail and forget about what you were doing or what you ate or were you upset by the neighbor, etc., etc., etc. you will just make yourself sick and then you will get down and be "blue" - and that is not good.
Patience and understand what you are doing so your discussions with your doctors can be beneficial to you both.
Patience, dear Lady and be well
Bluedogs2
I found comfort in educating myself about my disease. Johns Hopkins puts out a very informative book on RA. Includes all the current treatments, their effectiveness, side effects and what percentage of patients gets each side effect. Also has some lifestyle modification advice. You can find it on Amazon by searching 'John Hopkins Rheumatoid Arthritis'
Stay strong during your new journey :)
I wish you all the good luck. are you taking folic acid?
Madhuri: I'm not taking Folic Acid yet. She said to wait until I start the Methotrexate. I am on a multivitamin though.
what is the difference between mobic and meloxicam? I have taken meloxicam but not mobic.
i am glad that your doctor had your results for you. bluedogs advice to ease into your treatment flow with patience was thoughtful.
having the puzzle pieces fit together was a relief I recall.
work on life adjustments, self care, and be positive
hugs
Ros
I really like my rheumy...she seemed on top of it. Had 6 vials of blood drawn and referring me to Optamologistas a precaution because one of the meds can cause fluid behind the eyes.
Bluedogs advice was great! I would have definitely gone overboardand made myself crazy. I guess I will also being learning a lot about patience too...