Rheumatoid Diagnosis

Doragon

Doragon

Teenage Guinea Pig
Joined
May 5, 2015
Messages
950
Reaction score
1,323
Points
675
Location
Liverpool, United Kingdom
Honestly, it’s been a week, and we’re only on Monday!

This winter has been hell with the damp and mouldy rented place, and I’ve been sick all throughout winter. Originally, we thought it was down to the living condition - it probably hasn’t helped. Then I started having issues with my joints, wrists, arms, feet and knees! And lots of blood tests later, it’s been revealed that I have Rheumatoid - we knew this was a possibility, considering Grandma (I miss you-) had it. So being diagnosed with it at 27 is a bit of a shock!

Honestly, been so unwell over the last few weeks and not getting any better (chesty coughs, flu, tonsillitis…) and at least we know why my immune system is having a hard time. My Rheumatoid Factor is currently sitting happily in the mid 40’s! Currently waiting for hospital referrals and more medical exams. I’m very glad I swapped from physical labour to education, but it’s still a big change. Just don’t quite know what to do! Been flooded with information regarding PIP, Council Housing, etc and honestly, I’d rather put my head in the sand.

Really struggling with work at the moment as i’m just so unwell. i go into schools and do mostly career events, assemblies, campus tours etc so unfortunately i’m just getting everything! not sure what else i can do except wait for advice to come in regarding treatment and keep taking my vitamins to try and boost my immune system. roll on easter break!

please excuse the ramble. just been… a lot and hoping others will know how this all works! looking forward to warmer spring and my house to dry out. landlord has supposedly found someone to do the work but hasn’t mentioned anything about it in a month and is ignoring reports of new damp, so i’ve given up! i’d move elsewhere except landlords now want 3x the rent to even pass affordability checks and i only earn about 1200 monthly as my job is pro-rata. trying so desperately to be hired elsewhere but it’s a struggle!
 
I am older but got whacked with debilitating chronic health about a year ago. The first thing you need to do is get on the phone and apply for PIP. You will have some time to get your head together enough to fill in the forms but apply now as it gets backdated to when you applied. Sit and write down all the ways it affects and limits you, this will be beneficial for filling it in.
 
I’m so sorry you have received this diagnosis. My MIL has RA. There are quite a lot of drugs available that can help now. She’s had lots of different tablets, injections and now she has six monthly infusions. Good luck with your hospital referrals. Sending you a hug and healing vibes. ❤️
 
Really sorry to hear this. It's been something on my mind too after having some joint issues recently and mum has RA so I do need to go get checked, hopefully they will do the blood test as part of the health MOT they offer when you hit 40 now.
What I will say is my mum put off claiming PIP for a long time. I was really shocked when I talked her through the questions and realised how many adjustments she has made because of pain or just not being able to do something. Simple things like avoiding clothing with buttons because she can't really do buttons up anymore. If you are struggling financially then claim asap but otherwise there is no rush, you will be paid from the date you first claimed but if you need a few weeks to get your head round it then that's fine, you have to do what's right for you.
Personally I would look at RA charities and see if you can get some support with looking at things like housing and what you might be entitled to.
If you did want to ask any questions about the PIP etc then feel free to drop me a message, it's been about a year that my mum's been getting it now but we did spend a lot of time on it together
 
Thanks everyone for the support - you’ve been lovely!

I’m waiting on referrals - but a friend has just been through the PIP process. We’re going to set aside an evening when we’re both free to tackle it together and help and guide me through the questions. Worth doing - more blood results came back this morning and will need bone density investigating too! It’s a lot but all we can do is see how things go. i jsut feel bad as i’m constantly calling out of work at the moment with chest infections!

i’m mostly just using wrist warmers / wrist braces at the moment to help my hands as these are the most effected while waiting for specialists. probably will need more bloods soon to work out what’s going on. small mercy - my rheumatoid factor is very high, but inflammation is normal - we think we’ve got it quick enough before it starts doing anything major.

i’m worried about piggies especially - finding moving around and bending down and stuff difficult. don’t know if it’s just because i’m so sick at the moment - they’re being cared for, but maybe i need to invest in a new c&c cage with a stand so they’re not on the floor! see if i can move around the guinea pig room a bit to make cleaning easier for me. these two will probably be my last set for right now, currently have an older female with her young husband. i say this - maybe once treatment starts i’ll be feeling a lot better! just done a full clean this morning so they’re very happy and tucking into their veggies. i’m finding cutting veggies especially difficult so i may or may not have cheated by just pulling off some celery sticks 😂
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top