Hello!

[Guest guest]

Hello!

I'm new to posting here but I've been reading for a while now while

I've been having some 'technical hitches' which Carey kindly helped

me out with yesterday!

Before I start introducing myself, I just wanted to say how much I've

enjoyed reading the posts here over the last few weeks.I've gained

lots of useful info and advice already.Hopefully as time goes on

maybe I'll be able to offer some too.

My name's Kate and I live in the UK. I'm 25 and was diagnosed with

Stills about 2 months ago after being ill for the last 18 months.

It's been a real nightmare...in and out of hospitals/infectious

diseases units getting misdiagnosed with lots of different things

before finally being referred to a wonderful Rheumatologist who told

me I'd got Stills staright away, particularly when i showed him some

photos of my rashes!

I'm a Social Worker but am currently not able to work. I've been

living with my parents about 200 miles away for the last 8 months

when I gave in and admitted that I needed some help. It's been really

hard coming back to the sleepy little village where I grew up after

living in a bustling city for 7 years but it was the smart move at

the end of the day and I couldn't have managed without them.The loss

of independence with this disease has hit me really hard though, as I

guess it has us all. It's so good to talk to people who really

understand.

At the moment I'm still getting frequent rashes, fevers and joint

pain/swelling but thankfully I'm pretty mobile at the moment thanks

mainly to prenisolone I think! I've just started on Plaquenil too and

am feeling sick and itchy but I'm hopeful that it will help in the

long term-fingers crossed.

Anyway,I'm hoping this reaches you all ok and that I'm now in full

working order-technologically speaking!I keep trying to join one of

the UK chats but haven't had any success for some reason but i will

keep trying, especially if this post appears ok!

Looking forward to getting to know you all.

Best wishes

Kate