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[cornerhouse]

I'm new to this and not yet diagnosed, waiting for referral to Rheumatology Dept - I believe this can take a long time. Four weeks ago I was a moderately fit person and now I feel dreadful. Swollen hands and feet, aching arms and legs, unable to open jars, flush the loo, open doors, dress etc without feeling pain. But worst of all are the nights! I fall asleep (thanks to co-codamol) quite quickly but wake up in agony every couple of hours or so. Stiff arms and legs, excruciating pain. I take pain relief, have a cup of mint tea and eventually sleep for a while. Any advice on what might help?

[mccaffs2014]

Has your GP had a blood test done and were you referred to the rheumatologist because of the results?

[AgedCrone]

Maybe your GP could give you a short course of steroids to tide you over, but do impress on him you don’t want to get hooked on them....so could he please chase up your rheumy appointment!

Look up Prednisolone on here & you will see why you won’t want to end up relying on them.

To me they were the drug from hell & didn’t suit me at all....but many people to find them really helpful at your stage.

Wish you well getting a speedy rheumy consult.

[mccaffs2014 in reply to AgedCrone]

I agree with you. When my blood test came back positive my gp prescribed prednisone and requested an emergency rheumatologist appointment

[AgedCrone in reply to mccaffs2014]

Live & Learn... when I was first diagnosed my GP told me I should expect aches and pains at my age (50’s) & told me to take an aspirin..being bolshie I ignored that and wangled on my way to get an appointment with a rheumatologist....that was many years ago & RA is obviously still the Cinderella disease that GP’s don’t take seriously.

I bet if they were suddenly diagnosed it would be a different story.

[mccaffs2014 in reply to AgedCrone]

I had less than a month from blood test to consultant appointment. I still have great shared care treatment.

[AgedCrone in reply to mccaffs2014]

I don’t ....my GP refused to sign my Leflunomide scrip for three months....only signed when Consultant virtually asked him “what’s your problem”?

Luckily my rheumatologist is very supportive & thankfully I don’t need to see a GP very often.....there are 8 in my practice & as far as I hear from friends who do need to attend they are all as bad as each other..budget,budget,budget is their reason for every lack of everything.

[mccaffs2014 in reply to AgedCrone]

I read posts on here and I can't believe how my treatment differs from others. Hope things improve for you all.

[AgedCrone in reply to mccaffs2014]

Are you with a small country practice? I left one if those when I moved here & the care is night & day!

[mccaffs2014 in reply to AgedCrone]

No, a large practice in n.ireland

[AgedCrone in reply to mccaffs2014]

To be sure mccsffs!

[Mmrr in reply to mccaffs2014]

Wow, very unusual, the way it should be done !

[Sarah_89]

Hi Cornerhouse,

Agree that the best thing is to get a diagnosis and straight onto medication, but until then I find that heat really helps on achey joints through the night. I have a microwaveable heat pack that I use on my shoulders when trying to sleep and it's the only way I can drift off some nights!

[rabbits65]

I really love my hot water bottles, they are a great comfort to my very painful joints...

I do wish you well for your future, don't give up, and try to exercise a little .

[Pinkypie2018]

Yes hot water bottles are great I love mine too, however ice packs can help also as sometimes the heat can irritate my joints more. Have you been taking any anti inflammatory pain relief such as ibuprofen that can help take the swelling down? An long hot baths can be a treat also if your able to. If you have tested positive you should be seen fairly quickly as they do like to get you on medication. In the meantime just remember to rest when needed an this forum is great as there's also someone here ready to help. Take care.

[Dobcross1]

I really feel for you. The shock of going from fit and healthy to living with RA symptoms takes it out of you but I can say it does get better. I'd ask your GP for a steroid injection- that's what got me through (having them every 4 weeks till the medication started to work). Hope your Rheumatologist appointment comes through quickly too.

[helixhelix]

Ask you GP either for a short course of prednisalone or proper anti- inflammatories. You need to come off them before your consultant appointment, so just a temporary thing to tide you over.

I feel for you. I was completely shocked by how fast this disease progressed - in the space of 6 weeks I went from normal to virtually house bound, dependant, and in horrible pain. I was so frightened that life as I knew it was over. But it's fine now. Remarkable, but quite normal.

[charisma]

Welcome to this site!

You should have an urgent referral to a specialist Rheumatologist and also prescriptions for painkillers and a steroid too by the sound of your symptoms.

Best results are when you get early, aggressive treatment ie within three months of first symptoms beginning.

If not, damage can occur.

Wishing you a speedy referral.

[WomblingFree]

I’m in the same situation as you, my first appointment is on the 26th. At the moment I take Ibuprofen and Omazrapole (I think that’s what it’s called. It reduces the damage ibuprofen does to your stomach). It doesn’t take away all the pain but it helps.

[Kelmcg]

I was given a 3mth wait for a rheumy appt and my GP told me to go to the ambulatory emergency dept at my local hosp and he faxed through my details. I was given x rays and fast tracked through and got a cancellation appt with the rheumy a week later. It may be worth a try too. Good luck

[Recorder500L]

I have a mattress with a topper on my bed, however I still found that I could wake in excruciating pain in all my limbs. I bought a teddy bear fleece mattress enhancer,which I have machine washed lots of times.

amazon.co.uk/Bettersleep-Co...

We take it with us if we are staying over anywhere, I think they are brilliant and to me are helpful for pain.

Hope you get sorted soon.