How long have you had RA? What's your RA story?

I was diagnosed about 4 years ago had been going to my doctor on and off for a few years (3) before that with pain in my joints then 4 years ago I got my diagnosis, In march last year i was also diagnosed with Lupus and have been going to and from the hospital every 3 months to try and find a medication that will help with the pain aswell as the lupus it's been a very hard year and few months. I have had to step down in my job as a senior care assistant doing 44hours  a week to doing administration 3 days and only working 16hours a week, I am now on a medication called methotrexate and folic acid to try and help with my lupus and co-codamal for pain. Is there anything else I should be doing to help myself.

I was diagnosed back in 2013 when i was 45. Came right out of the blue. Had a shower one night. Sat watching some T.V. then BANG I got the most horrible pain in my left hand. I couldn't do anything. It did subside over the next few hours and eventually went away. Three or four days later the same thing happened in my right hand.  I then began to loose weight and become constantly tried .5 visits to my G.P. and I was finally referred to Rheumatologist. The rest, as they say, is history. My R.A. is fairly well managed at the moment but my fatigue has never really gone away complely. It could be worse. I still manage to hold down a full time job and will carry on doing so for as long as possible.🙂

Have just been diagnosed with RA not sure what to expect 

I’m 54 and I was diagnosed when I was 45. I only had a pain in my thumb which wouldn’t shift and my left hand kept swelling up. It’s taken me many years to come to terms with this diagnosis. I now suffer with my hands wrists (one of them now held together with a metal plate) hip, knees and feet. I’ve tried many treatments but finally I think we’ve got it right. I’ve been off meds for a few months due to recurring tonsillitis. I’m 6 weeks post op having had them taken out and hoping to be back on meds soon.

I was diagnosed when I was 16 years old after suffering for two years, that was 43 years ago, named as Juvenile RA. I now can not work giving up my job in December 2017. Fatigue & crippling pain in my right hip means I'm on crutches so getting around is difficult & not earning any money even more difficult. 

Diagnosed officially in 2005 at 28 after suffering since my teens.

Hi everyone,

I thought I would revive this older discussion so we can get to know one another better in our RA community! 

So, what's your RA story? How long have you had it? Did it take a long time for you to get a diagnosis? How are you doing today?
@Rafa76‍ @Juliana‍ @EmmyJane‍ @Layton‍ @lizshi‍ @noelynn‍ @JRL1965‍ @dilizjo‍ @MarkOrton‍ @Un4getablefox‍ @Dolphin5005‍ @Henrietta1‍ @Physio_Suzie‍ @RoMatt‍ @Cherie1958‍ @holdaway‍ @Lala68‍ @Porky55‍ 

Feel free to share your stories and discuss with one another below!

Take care,
Courtney

 hi everybody, just been diagnosed today after 3 years of tests,procedurs came as a bit of a shock,i never considered it,even though my mother has had it for 53 years.thanks

I was diagnosed about 10 years ago now. I know my gran had arthritis in her hands when I was a little girl, I don't think she was every really treated for it and I wonder now if it was RA. My RA is well managed now, it's other things in my life and conditions that need more attention and looking after, unfortunately