Howdy, just saying hello really

Hey everyone,
My name is Laney I am a 28 year old mature student, just about to finish my degree! This time next week my exams will all be over, scary! Symptoms started September 2010 rapidly and within a few weeks I was in hospital unable to move, walk, dress myself etc., initially the rheumy over in the UK (I am Irish) diagnosed me as R.A but after months of poor treatment (I was treated terribly) I decided to try my luck in Ireland and I was so lucky to find an amazing young rheumy who did every test under the sun and diagnosed MCTD. I have been up and down and on so many drugs the list is endless, currently on injections of 20mg mtx and started Rituximab at the end of Jan hopefully another infusion in July. Has anyone else tried Rituximab? My boyfriend of 3 years dumped me in November, a week after I got diagnosed with severe depressive episodes.... and 4 days after my dog dies, what a dousche! Apart from all this stuff going on, I have tried to remain positive and pus on with uni work and try not to dwell on things. I done a 8 week course in Mindfullness which I found really helpful for depression, anxiety and also for insomnia and pain management. I am glad to have found a forum with people who understand this horrible disease.
I look forward to chatting to you all x

Hello Laney, glad you found us
Sounds like you might be better off without the boy friend. Congrats on your upcoming degree, Well done
I have no experience with the med you mentioned. Sorry to hear about your dog.
I am excited to watch this forum grow
Kim

hi kim, thanks i love that quote you have, its really lovely.
Laney x

Hi Laney84, welcome to the forum.
I am also starting a degree in Sept which will finish when I am 27, so a mature student too!
I'm sorry about your break up. All break ups are hard no matter what the circumstances but as kimmieg33 said you seem better of without him if he broke up with you during your difficult times.
I'm also sorry about your dog dying, I am a huge pet lover & lost my dog last year so I know what you're going through.
I have also gone through depression & anxiety with this illness. I'm glad the mindfulness course has helped you through this. I might look into doing this for myself.

hi again, thanks for your kind words.
yea i would really recommend the mindfulness course, you can get referred through your gp i think. also i did not have to pay as i was refered by my counsellor, i think its becoming a more popular within the nhs which is good. i love animals also and going to a dog show sunday i cant wait, i will probably be really embarrassing squealing and running (hobbling) round after puppies! well done about going back to uni, it is hard going especially with the mctd (people will not have a clue nor will they care) but its worth it in the end

I think I might go & look for the course elsewhere as the NHS have been rubbish with me about depression & anxiety!
I've bever been to a dog show & would love to go to one! Hahaha I'd be like you hobbling after the puppies & squealing & wanting cuddles!
Thanks, I'm absolutely shitting myself about going back to uni! BUT I know it is an investment in my future & *hopefully* one day me & my partner will move out to USA where his family is & I can have a better life. (if only lmao)