Welcome Lonnie - sorry you have to join us.

Good news! Statistically speaking you are in the late onset group and usually that means a better long-term prognosis.

You have two major choices: 1) conservative treatments = pain management, prednisone, planquenel, Minocin, othe dmards, and/or diet. 2) aggressive treatments = methotrexate, biologics.

Conservative treatments have fewer side effects and may/may not slow progression. They have fallen out of favor with the heavy marketing of biologics.

Aggressive therapies work by directly suppressing parts of immune system. If you listen closely to their commercials they always say 'may slow progression'. But currently they are the most popular course of treatment.

I'm a teacher and firmly believe that knowledge is empowerment. WebMD and MayoClinic have a lot of quality information on their websites for RA. Now is the time to educate yourself.

Good luck in whatever treatment you decide to try.

Hi Lonie, I was diagnosed last June at the age of 55. It was bittersweet as I was happy to know the devil I was dealing with, but unhappy to get an RA diagnosis. I started with MTX pills and then went to injections, which work better for me, as the pills really affected my stomach. I have had some ups and downs, my pain seems to be getting better, but I found out in November that the RA was in my lungs, so apparently it is more severe then initially thought. I have a good friend who's dad had RA and she has been a big help; she listens to me without judging and/or giving advice. I think it helps to have someone to talk to. My husband is great, but this has affected both our lives so sometimes it is good to have a third party to talk to. This group helps a lot too. I don't write on here often, but I do read posts and find it helpful to hear what other people are doing/going through. I wish I could tell you it all will be just fine and that you won't have issues with the meds, etc but I cannot. It is a real learning process and there are good days and bad days. Sending hugs (gentle non hurting ones!) your way!

Hi lonie, I was diagnosed last Sept 30, not long before my 35 birthday. It sounds like your rheumatologist is aggressively going after this thing. I too was started on metho, yet it didn't work out for me. My rheumatologist says it does help many many people, so take comfort in that.
Advice.
Don't be afraid to ask questions and be an active member in your treatment.
Do research and make informed decisions based on study.
Do seek pain management if you feel it necessary. I had a heck of a time overcoming that stigma held in my head. I didn't want to seem like a junkie for pain pills. I bit the bullet and got an appointment. Don't regret it one minute. I refuse to suffer as much as I did in the beginning, again.
Do look into an anti inflammation diet, can only help.
Do come back to this board. Very kind supportive people. We all are suffering, and have excellent advice to offer.

Ask any specific questions, and I bet someone on here has great advice to give.

Welcome, though sorry for the reason you came.

Hi, Lonie-- this is the place to go for advice and support and friends who understand what you're feeling. I followed DS every day for six years before I mustered the courage to actually join and "speak up"! But the kind friends here can teach you so much. I second the vote for mtx injections rather than the pills. If you find after a few weeks that you are nauseous from the pills, ask your dr. for injectable. (And if you're afraid to inject, it's really not bad at all. If I can do it, anyone can. We'll help you get through it.)
Keep the lines of communication with your rheumy open and frank. He/she is there to help you and needs to know what's going on with you.
Ask anything and everything here-- these folks will have answers for you. Gentle hugs-- Llama

thank you everyone for your quick responses and really making me feel welcome here. I am trying the pills first but my rheumy also told me about instead of injecting the methotrexate some people measure it out and drink it in a cup of juice or whatever has anyone tried that?

What a way to start having health issues huh :( Welcome to the forum-we are open around the clock with support and advice :)

be patient with yourself on your learning curve.

welcome

glad you are here

Ros

Welcome Lonie,

I was diagnosed about 5 months ago. I am 43. I am on Methotrexate and recently started a biologic drug, Enbrel. My Rheumatologist tells me he has seen the most success in his practice with a combo punch: Methotrexate and a biologic together. I have my fingers crossed this combo will work for me. It has been four weeks into my Enbrel addition and already I feel the difference. I am suddenly able to do more things again: unscrew jars, lift my kids, go out in public in regular shoes (not slippers from swelling). I am cautiously optimistic at this point.

My point in telling you the above is to let you glimpse someone who is 5 months into treatment on certain drugs.

My onset flare, during my diagnosis, was pure hell for me. I was in horrendous pain. I thought how could I go on like this? And reading all the information I could about RA was incredibly useful and necessary, but truth be told it made me feel overwhelmed. So please know this is normal, you are not alone if feeling terrible pain and overwhelmed.

Each RA case is unique. In my case I am a heck of a lot better. I am back at work, doing a little yard work in spurts and starting to glimpse the old me again. Again, I am hopeful.

I credit the friends on this site as my source for hope.

I would read everything on rawarrior.com and rheumatoidarthritisguy.com is informative and funny. And with RA you need your humor. I also learned a lot from combing through old threads on this site.

We are here for you with any questions and/or shoulder to lean on/lend an ear.

Hugs.

Lonie,

Re: your first MTX pills with folic tonight...I find taking it after I eat dinner a good idea and then go to bed. It makes me sleepy especially the two days after. So I moved "my night" to a night where my work load was a bit lighter the following two days to accommodate.

BTW: my urine was neon green after taking MTX. Just a heads up.

Hugs to you.

RAin the woodlands thank you for the tip I waited till before bed and took the MTX with 2 slices of cinnamon toast. Cinnamon toast is always soothing and I put a glass of ginger ale on the nightstand. I woke up a few times thru the night but I think it was my nerves but this morning I dont feel too bad thank God. Just alittle foggy and I am more sore than usual but not the horrific things I pictured in my head lol. Thank you everyone it means alot when your scared out of your mind to have people who have been there calming your fears

Welcome! I was diagnosed in August at 58. Started with prednisone, mtx and folic acid. Never had any side effects from the mtx other than being a little tired the next day, but it also didn't do much for my pain/swelling. Every time I tried to wean off of the pred, pain would flare back up. Added humira in Jan and doing really well. Get a reality check if I try to do too much, but overall so much better than when first diagnosed. It's scary, but we are all in this together. Hope things go well for you.
Patrice

Well I'm sorry about your DX.
Yet glad you found this group.
Education, support & taking it one day at a time.
Welcome & looking forward to hearing from you.
Sammy