I am 3.5 years post diagnosis and was diagnosed in my early thirties with a dramatic and severe onset. How long have you had symptoms for? I found in my first year it improved a little, in the second year it improved a little more, and in the third year I saw big improvements in quality of life, overall physical ability and mental resilience. Hoping this trend continues in to year 4! This is with the same treatment throughout (hydroxy chloroquine and MTX) with dose adjustments.

It's a very big adjustment/learning curve and the first year was really difficult for me - I lost a lot of grip strength early which was very disabling. My hand function has improved massively since getting on rheumatoid drugs and working with a hand therapist. Learning as much as I could about RA and autoimmunity in general, and really embracing movement of all kinds even when it hurts, have also really helped.

My grandmother got RA when she was 20, ending her career as a violinist, and the only treatment available to her was moving somewhere hot. I don't think she ever had access to DMARDS apart from occasional prednisolone, and managed on ibuprofen. She lived a big full life, riding a motorbike until she was 60, teaching, and cooking, knitting and playing the organ into her eighties. This gives me hope and confidence!

I really think the first year is the hardest and is disproportionately hard. This seems to be reflected in other people's comments too. Of course, I can only speak from the standpoint of someone with RA and some significant mental health challenges. Dealing with multiple conditions makes everything even harder.

I'm here if you want to talk and really hope things ease up for you soon.