Pre-RA and three months on from initial consultation

[colindgreen]

Wanted to share an update on my Pre-RA and steps I have been taken.

3 months since seeing GP, and just over 2 since seeing consultant; I have made all suggested changes. Albeit, smoking only reduced by half. I have l lost 12kg now, and am going to the gym 6 days a week. The gym has been really important change for me, as I hadn't been to the gym for over 20 years.

I have been doing 50 minutes of moderate exercise followed by 15 mins in the steam room. My pain and stiffness is greatly reduced after the steam room, with the impact lasting most of the day. I do hand exercises whilst in the steam room I got from the internet, which has helped with my joint stiffness.

Taken the following for just over 2 months: hydroxychloroquine, omega 3, ginger root and glucosamine. I also had a steroid injection 4 weeks ago. I also take max dose of ibuprofen.

I didn't feel any improvement after the steroid in my hands. Difficult to say if the improvement felt with my knees and right foot can be attributed to the steroid.

I have seen an improvement in my knees and right foot, although symptoms had been very mild in these two areas.

The pain and stiffness in my hands remains unchanged and I am experiencing flare ups 3 or 4 times a week. The pain and discomfort in my hands has been significant. I started taking turmeric about a week ago, and I feel this has had the most impact.

The tenderness in my fingers and between my fingers has reduced, which I am pleased about, as they felt bruised.

I have noted that my ring finger and middle fingers on both hands are moving closer together, really prominently on my right hand, and I really have to stretch my hands for them to separate. Definately plan to discuss this change with the consultant in January when I next see her, as she also noted degenerative changes in the MRI.

Thanks for reading

Colin

[GranAmie]

an impressive number of changes there!. well done you.... cd you take paracetamol instead of ibuprofen ; I found switching wasn't as hard as i anticipated :). as for the cigs, it can be hard.. i only quit after too many years and only because they were blocked by govt here [Gitanes]. wish you well x

[oldtimer]

Well done for your efforts on controlling your own impact on the disease. But it does sound as if it's not yet under control.

You should be able to give a clear account of the state of play with keeping your own detailed records.

I do find, though, that if I spend a lot of time keeping my records up-to-date and monitoring my condition daily (as I have tried to do from time to time), that I get pulled down by all the things I can't do into depression and that makes the pain more difficult to cope with. I have to make a conscious effort to concentrate on what I can do...