Be honest!. Tell us how you are hurting! And angry! And frustrated!

But if you tell us you are in denial, and don't need meds (I believe that is what you were implying!) then we are going to be straight with you!

Pick up that prescription! This is a serious and debilitating disease. The protocol for RA, is that you need to hit it hard right at the beginning with meds, and it will lessen the severity of the disease.

I've said this over and over, but you are new, so one more time. I was not correctly diagnosed or treated for the first 7 years I had RA. The first two years, no diagnosis at all. The next five, undermedicated. I have terrible deformities, and feet which require reconstruction. I did one foot, and it was an epic fail, because my foot was so damaged by RA, the doctor could not reattach the second toe properly because "the bone was so rotten" My thumbs are a disaster. I have to wear splints on my wrists and fingers. Other joints need some kind of splint, but usually I just ice them, or take more prednisone.

But the most important reason to get on good meds at the start, is so the disease doesn't get worse. I have the "worst" case of RA my rheumatologist has ever seen. It didn't need to be that way. I've been in med failure, lots more joint erosions and deformities in the last year. I am on Orenica, a biologic. Arava and methotrexate (mthx), DMARDs and prednisone and pain killers. That is a direct result of not getting on good meds early enough! My rheumatologist has been struggling to find a combo that works for over 2 years. He even got me back on mthx, which I failed before. That was working more until this week, which has been a real crash.

So what drug were you given? If it is mthx run to your nearest pharmacy and get started. If it is Plaquenil, start it too, but be prepared to demand a better drug, as that one does not work well for most people.

I am sorry to welome you to the RA group, because it means you have RA. But happy to meet you. I know more people will post on this issue.

Nice to meet you. Please let everything go in here. I am was diagnosed in 2014 but on and off meds due to other issues. Currently been on MTX since June of 2016. Right now I do not feel that MTX is working for me. I am waiting to see my doctor. With everything I have learned so far, I would go get your prescription filled and go from there. I was (probably still am) in denial over my RA diagnosis. The other, more educated ladies in this group are wonderful. Welcome

oops - Ladies and Gentlemen in the group.

Why is it that when someone is given a diagnosis of cancer they pretty much run to the nearest chemo appointment. Very little denial.

Yet with RA, people go into denial. Nuts.

But here's the takeaway point: It's a serious, chronic disease that causes serious, irreversible damage. You need to get on the DMARD drugs ASAP. And if after a suitable period of time there's no discernible improvement, then you should consider switching drugs.

RedNana: I was diagnosed in 1992. Thanks to the immediate diagnosis and immediate treatment with DMARDS, I have minimal irreversible damage compared to others. It's because I moved fast, accepted the lousy diagnosis, and JUST DID IT.

Hi Renata
5 days now. It's not long to try to get your thoughts round this diagnosis, but as the others say, hope you've got your medicine.
Welcome.

Sorry, the predictive text changed your name!

Listen to these wise ones! I was diagnosed earlier this year and avoided going back to my Rheum bc of fear of meds. After research and the help of the wonderful people on here I am going to my Dr and will start meds. I no longer fear the meds, bc without them this can progress further. I see my Dr this week. Scared?? Yes. But ready to get my life back.
It's progressed FAST in the past couple years. Didn't know I had RA & Lupus thought it was just stress after a tumultuous divorce and move across the country. Do what you can NOW to keep it from progressing, bc it does so very quickly. Best of luck to you!

Definitely listen to californialynn,

She has long term yet very controlled RA. If I'm not mistaken CLynn is in medicated remission correct Lynn?

I pretty much without knowing about this forum followed the same path. I was diagnosed about 3 months into having RA. Was put on prednisone for the first 30 days to get all the pain, swelling & inflammation down & under control. Then put on MTX so it took about 4 months total to start on the DMARD.

I am also pretty well controlled, have minimal low key pain, no inflammation, no swelling. I do get minor flare ups occassionally but I was also taken off all meds last December so it's been a full 12mos.

The point is, hit it hard NOW. Let your DMARD or biologic beat the crap out of it early while there's little to know damage.

Diagnosed in 1992 and immediately went on MTX. I've been in drug-controlled remission.

Over the years the MTX dose was gradually escalated until I was at the max 25mg. When it wasn't working as well, I added Kenalog intra-joint injections. Finally, I was able to add Humira [6 years ago]. Since adding the Humira I'm feeling better than I did in 1992.

About 8 years or so after I was diagnosed, I went overseas to work for a couple months. I was there longer than planned. I ran out of my MTX, but figured I'd be fine for a couple weeks. And I was fine......for about 3 weeks. Then it all came back with a vengeance. It took forever [almost a year] to get it under control again.

So with the exception of those three weeks......and a sporadic week here and there because I was having surgery.....I've been on DMARDS.

The choice is simple: DMARDS or irreversible joint damage that may lead to a wheelchair.

Glad you're here Rednana.....very sorry that you're here mam. As much as I absolutely HATE the MTX, I must admit that the poison does work well for me combined with a biologic (Humira previously, Actemra presently). Started with just plaquinel, that plus meloxicam (generic for Mobic still take) and a very strict diet (see my name) did well for over a year and then I was rear-ended while sitting still at a red light and my little Honda Civic was smashed by a Ford van going 40 mph into a Toyota SUV in front of me. Whatever that shock did was not good for my RA. Started the MTX about 2 months later and then added a biologic (dropped the plaq) another 6 months (?) after that. I do better with MTX injections rather than the tablets. Was switched from Hunira to Actemra when the disease began causing my right lung to create so much mucous and also now 5mg of prednisone.

You may not like them but the drugs will help....the science is improving.

The science is imp

Science is indeed improving.

[Offtopic - they are now using something similar to biologics for my dog's terrible pollen allergies. Same principle as what we take, but her injection focuses on the IL-31 cytokine involved with serious skin allergies.] I mention this because science has come a long way.

Welcome Rednana. I'm new to this forum and to RA as well. I am in a similar mental space about accepting the disease and starting meds. I opted not to start anything at diagnosis 5 weeks ago and my rheumy requested labs and 6 week follow up. I've gone back and forth doubting my symptoms and diagnosis and whether or not to start meds at the 6 week follow up (next week). After getting great advice from the experienced and wise ladies and gentlemen here, along with close and careful observation of my symptoms, I am prepared with my questions and ready for a treatment plan (with whatever meds my rheumy suggests). It's a tough pill to swallow (haha-terrible pun), but after learning about what this will do to your body if you ignore it, the choice is pretty simple. Take meds or allow a chronic and progressive disease to wreak havoc on your body.