Newly diagnosed with RA and really confused!

[Guest guest]

Hello-

I have just been diagnosed with RA and possibly with Lupus also.

Although I have been experiencing symptoms for over a year, I

finally " self-diagnosed " myself and went to see a rheumatologist. I

was shocked to learn that I really have this disease and am stunned

about the thought of a lifetime of this. I started methotrexate this

past week and will begin a TNF shortly. I am 39....I can't imagine

that I will be taking medication for the rest of my life. At this

point, I would appreciate any kind of information I can get. I've read

every last thing I can find on the internet, however, I still feel like

I don't know enough. What am I in store for? How will I feel? What

will all this medication do to the rest of my body? When will I feel

better? etc...

Fighting back the tears in SC,

Janine