new here and to RA

[Guest guest]

I was just diagnosed with RA and will be seeing a Rheumotologist soon.

I was diagnosed because of a painful flare (still in process) and

realizing this just wasn't " normal " . Labwork backed that up.

After educating myself I realize that I've probably had various

symptoms for at least a decade but never experienced a degree of pain

to make me see a doctor specifically for the symptoms.

I also have asthma, IBS, migraines, hypertension (all of those

typical " cluster " disorders).

I'm just introducing myself because I wanted to find a place where

other people were experiencing - and have experience with - what I'm

likely to go through in the future. I'm big on self-education so I hope

to tap into this forum as a valuable educational resource and for

support (I freely admit to being apprehensive about this diagnosis!). I

just want to be aggressive and pro-active in how I manage this disease.

Thanks for listening!