Little introduction

[Patsy04]

Was diagnosed with RA and OA about year ago and started on Methotrexate at the age of 41. Am shocked at how quickly my symptoms have worsened and am quite anxious about the future. Used to be extremely fit and went to the gym regularly. Still cycle regularly but running is almost impossible. Have four children and am pretty happy. Finding the cold is aggravating symptoms though...

[loppyloo12]

Hi love I was on methatrexatr for a bit when I was dignosed in 2014 it knocked me for six and never worked unfortunately I can give you good news as I have seen the illness gradually takeing hold and it getting worse having some good days and other bad in regards to the weather all Ivan say is wrap up very warm the cold is a killer and hurts but might be worth getting a meds review and getting it sorted out but it does make you feel week and it's what your pain barrier is Hun I lived on pain killers and know if I've not took ere hope this helps xx

[Patsy04 in reply to loppyloo12]

Thanks for your reply, Methotrexate has definitely helped with the swelling and my Rheumatology nurse says it's actually the OA that is causing the majority of the pain.... I hate taking pain relief and stopped taking Naproxen about 3 months ago. Just take Ibuprofen and Paracetamol... It's indeed the cold weather that makes it worse!

[flow4 in reply to Patsy04]

I have PsA rather than RA with OA, and now find my OA gives me more problems. I take Etoricoxib/Arcoxia rather than Naproxen (alongside my MTX) these days, and have done for about 4-5 years without problems... But if I miss taking it, I soon know about it. I'm worse in winter too... But all in all, I am so much better than I was untreated, and am now working f/t for the first time in years. It has taken the best part of 2 years to get the balance mostly-right.

[Patsy04 in reply to flow4]

I think I'm gonna have to get over my obsession obsession of not wanting to take pain relief. It's probably doing me more harm than good. How did your symptoms of PsA start as my 21 year old daughter has been plagued by a horrendous rash all over her face and creases in arms for about a year and a half. Doctors don't seem to know what it is and no cream helps in fact they seem to aggravate it. She suffers with bad back pain which we put down to the curvature of her spine she suffers with. Could it be PsA?

[flow4 in reply to Patsy04]

It's really hard to pin down when my PsA started. Sometimes I think after I had measles, aged 9 or 10! Sometimes I think at 21, when I had the start of something I thought was herpes (I tested negative but no one could give me any other suggestions), but was probably with hindsight flexural psoriasis. Sometimes I think just 8 years ago, when my worst symptoms started, in a period of extreme stress...

Rashes have so many potential causes, and mine weren't diagnosed as psoriasis until after I had a dx of 'inflammatory arthritis'.

With joint pain and skin symptoms, I think it would be a good idea for your daughter to see a rheumy.

[Patsy04 in reply to flow4]

Thank you so much! I am going to get her to see her gp again and i might suggest i go with her. I appreciate your help!

[Hobbledehoy in reply to flow4]

CONGRATULATIONS! Happy Christmas!

[Paula-C]

Just want to give you a positive reply. I was diagnosed in may 2008. Started off on SLZ and then two years later had mtx added. Never really out of pain, some goodish days some bad days. Thought that this was going to be what I would be like for the rest of my life.

Things got really bad in the summer of 2012. I was bad enough to qualify for anti tnfs. Started enbrel November 2012 and virtually went straight into remission. I felt it starting to work straight away. Apart from one short lived flare in 2015 I haven’t felt the need for pain relief. I’ve got my life back!

Anyway....just wanted to let you know a positive outcome, it just takes a while to get someone on the right drugs. Hope they find your magic cocktail soon. xx

[Patsy04 in reply to Paula-C]

Wow, I actually have never had the thought that there might be such a thing as remission!! Thought this was it, that i just have to try and manage to live with it. Thank you, this is actually given me some hope and will pursue re. my meds!

[Patsy04]

Thank you for your reply Three of my children aren't living at home at the moment but of course they are all coming home for Christmas so it will be a bit daunting as it will be so busy.... But i will try to take it a bit at a time!

[Patsy04]

I know what you mean... I don't like taking pain relief and am insistent on sometimes suffering rather than dosing up... Might have to change that attitude haha...

[AgedCrone in reply to Patsy04]

If you are in pain you are tense & stressed....two of the worst things for RA.

Accepting you need to take any medication is difficult for most people, so until your rheumatologist has things under control it really is best to accept taking pain killers....you & everyone around you who worry about you will be happier....

[Patsy04 in reply to AgedCrone]

You are absolutely right however it was on the advise of my Rheumatologist i tried to cut out on the Naproxen as she pointed out that it is extremely bad for the stomach. This then made me paranoid...

[AgedCrone in reply to Patsy04]

You could take meds to protect your stomach - like Lanzoprazole- in the short term....it's no good being stoic ..I'm surprised your rheumy didn't offer this solution....unless you have stomach problems already?

Go back & tell her you need pain relief....we do sometimes have to wait for meds but withholding painkillers is not on.

[Patsy04 in reply to AgedCrone]

I did take Omeprezole once a day too..

[Hobbledehoy in reply to Patsy04]

I have been on Naproxen for years, no problem if Omeprazole taken first & then Nap. ON FOOD.

[Patsy04 in reply to Hobbledehoy]

I did take Omeprezole once a day too. Think i might start to take the Naproxen again as i can still get it on repeat... Thanks for info!

[AgedCrone in reply to Patsy04]

If you can't get a repeat scrip...back to your GP & say you need painkillers NOW,

Doctors aren't all perfect & these days they don't have time to check up on their patients like they used to. With RA if you keep quiet they think you are managing fine! So holler when you need something!

Re Christmas....get the kids to help out....remind them this is home....not An hotel!

Hope you are pain free over the holidays.!

[Jan101]

Hi just to say welcome to our lovely forum and I am sure that you will get lots off answers from the lovely people here. Take good care of yourself. Love and hugs 🤗🤗🤗🎅🤶🦌🎄☃️xxx

[Patsy04 in reply to Jan101]

Thank you

[stbernhard]

Hello Patsy, remission is not an uncommon outcome and I hope you'll get there sooner rather than later. I was diagnosed in 2009 and am in remission since 2013/14. You have a very positive attitude and that alone will go a long way towards controlling RA. Listen to your body and never stop exercising. All the very best and enjoy Christmas.

[Patsy04 in reply to stbernhard]

Thank you...luckily I have a dog who makes sure giving up exercise is not an option haha...

[Hidden]

Hi, I was diagnosed in1987, and spent 13 fantastic years in remission. During this time I worked with disabled children and rode a bike every day. l also regularly walked for miles. After cancer treatment, the onset of Osteoporosis and Vasculitis as well as slight Osteoarthritis on top of my RA and Bronchiectasis, things are no longer as good as they were, but it can and does happen.

[Patsy04 in reply to Hidden]

Sorry to hear it didn't last Do you think the cancer treatment made it spiral? It is very interesting how people are affected in so many different ways by the same condition. It seems there is no instructions manual to RA and it's accompanying conditions..

[Hobbledehoy in reply to Hidden]

Oh, good luck poemsgalore1, you have a lot going on, pet, hope you hit the jackpot again... x