Good morning
I’ve been struggling with my wrists last few weeks. Last few days I can’t bend my wrist if I do for example bending it to put my coat on I scream because it’s so painful.
Only taking Methotrexate currently is it wise to take Naproxen? Does anyone take these along with Methotrexate?
Thank you 🙏🏻
I have had a lot of wrist pain. I would wear a tight compression on my wrists sometimes help sometimes it doesn’t. Ibuprofen gel and the usual ice/heat packs and definitely naproxen it is safe to use with methotrexate. My lasted months then disappeared. Hope this helps
Thank you so much for replying I’m going to take some now along with omeprazole.
Yes like yourself we do everything to help, i have been using ibuprofen gel and using a sports bandage tightly, and I have a heated glove. That helps when your sat down relaxing.
But it has got worse and when we need to do the ironing, washing and chores it makes me feel sad because I know I should probably be resting it but can’t. I live alone so who is going to do it the house fairy 🧚♀️
Fingers crossed like yourself it will go, sometimes it feels like it creeps around your body it’s always there lurking somewhere.
Thank you! 💕
This disease is a lurker. The Scarlet pimpernel of autoimmune diseases 🙄 hope it passes.
Yes it is definitely that! Thank you 😊
I gave up ironing many, many years ago...no one has noticed. I wash, dry outside in summer, on the clothes air in winter, fold and wear.
I have a pair of linen trousers that I rarely wear as they do need ironed.
One less chore to do and saves sore wrists.
Your right I think I might have to accept that also, and be wrinkled and crinkled at the same time 🥴
I feel for you -my wrists pained so many times in past few years . I use ice packs / compression gloves and one thing which can aggravate this pain is carrying your phone in hand.
Regards to ironing , I buy clothes which are wrinkle free - mostly cotton + silk mixed / silk shirts etc . Might be a bit costly but they don’t crease or get wrinkled like the others . Best investment ever ! Also , I do my chores in stages - too many dishes to load - take a break and do it in parts . Same with washing and folding .
For Christmas I got my family to club together so I can get molly maid ( cleaning service) to come in once a month to give my house a good clean.....oh the shame🥺🥺🥺🥺but I get a clean house and I stop stressing and less guilt that my hubby works so hard then has to do everything I use to at home
That’s good...I think it’s about learning to ask for help, I don’t have a partner but will start being kinder to myself, and if I can’t do it today I might be able tomorrow without feeling guilty 👍
I relate to that guilt. My husband is back to a regular schedule now, but he worked 11-hour days for five months and would come home and do laundry. I felt so bad!
Leave the ironing..it will still be there when you are better controlled,
Your joints will settle much quicker if you don’t overload them.
I live alone & I can promise you nothing dreadful happens if the house work is left for a week or so....nobody knocks on the door accusing you of slacking!
Get yourself better ...then slowly catch up!
I would also mention your wrist pain at the next rheumatology appointment, it may be that the RD is not well controlled.
My wrists are a problem, which is limiting for a lot things.
Thank you yes I will mention it. I saw Consultant when it wasn’t as bad, it’s typical because only a few weeks later it’s now got to point I’m crying with it.
I feel for you. At the minute I,m in the same situation. I was prescribed Naproxen initially by my GP before I saw the consultant. In March last year I was put on Sulphasalazine. In July changed to Methotrexate & in December Hydroxychloroquine was added. Things seemed to be improving so I decided to try & manage without the Naproxen however yesterday I,m just like you. Can,t lift a cup up, brush my teeth with right hand, painful just getting dressed etc,etc. Very, very painful so back on Naproxen & wearing a splint. Get so down with it all. x
I feel for you too big hug 🤗
Im just wandering around my flat thinking what can I do without using my hands basically nothing! I’m sick and tired of resting that’s all I do apart from my full time job.
Hopefully the Naproxen will help... I haven’t had to take them for a few months, so if it means a few days on them then see where I’m at.
It is a struggle but it won’t beat me 👍
We are not medically qualified to say that you can take naproxen or not Azzure. Is it something you have taken before? You could ask a pharmacist if you need to know today. I also would ring your rheumy nurse to let them know if your RA isn’t being controlled. Be careful of taking/using too many different anti inflammatories too.
Do you have wrist splints?
I would forget the chores, they’ll still be there another day when you are feeling better able to do them 😊
Hi Kitty thank you for replying...yes I have taken Naproxen before with no problems just read somewhere not ideal whilst on Methotrexate, and wanted to see if anyone else took it whilst on methotrexate.
I will ring nurse tomorrow 👍
Isn’t it rubbish nice day off work and can’t get much done!
My gp prescribed naproxen last month to help with a flare and I take methotrexate and sulfasalazine. I only got a two week supply as I've high blood pressure too. Naproxen did help but I'm getting sore again, it never stays away for long.
I took one today and it has eased it. Hope your not in too much pain 🙏🏻
Surprised nobody has mentioned wrist supports. I have a pair of these bad boys.....
healthandcare.co.uk/wrist-s...
They are not cheap but offer excellent support...better than cheaper types I've had over the years. I think the flesh coloured equivalents cost less.
edit...just noticed that Kitty has mentioned wrist splints. 
Many Thanks... looks a great website 👍 I think this is something I need wearing the gloves don’t support my wrist.
These are heavy duty splints, but the lighter less expensive types still offer decent support. Both of my wrists are not good and I've been wearing splints to good effect for years. They even help ease a relatively large nodule on the back of my hand adjacent to the wrist, which can be really painful when it flares.
That said, the best thing is to get your RA under proper control.
Methotrexate works for some people, it was a terrible journey for myself. I went from methotrexate to Cimzia, it was working until I had a reaction. They now put me in cosentyx, I’m on my fourth injection. I get steroids every month, naproxen and cosentyx. I am going to ask to put me on something else. Talk to your doctor, they have 8 or 9 other meds for PSA. Just keep trying different ones. Something will eventually help (hopefully). I was in the hospital for two days Friday and Saturday because I couldn’t walk, my ankles were so swollen I couldn’t walk. Sadly, most doctors I’ve met are not very educated on psa, I see a rheumatologist every few months. If you get chest pain when you take methotrexate I would suggest talking to your doctor.
Thank you 😊
Try wrist splints. The type with the metal plate on the inside. Worn loosely, they support your wrist when you bend it.
You can’t bend your wrists in splints, if they’re loose then they’re not going to do their job 😊
Sorry I didn’t mean really loose, just not tight. Slightly loosened allows for a tiny amount of movement to prevent the wrists seizing up but still support the wrists. I also didn’t mean when they bend - of course they can’t bend in splints! I meant when you hold and lift things.
I take Naproxen when needed with methotrexate. My wrists are painful at times. OT has given me compression gloves that help over night. Small splints to wear, that really help when I iron and pour out a cuppa. But like everyone said, I only iron a few things when really necessary. Good luck
I had a wrist splint made by OT which was solid around my thumb & wrist. It certainly helped but couldn’t wear it all the time. I had the tendon injected eventually x
I few weeks is nothing. I have wrists and hand pain every single day for over a year. Tried Biologicals and even IV Actemra. Nothing stopped the pain except high does of prednisone which caused a whole other set of problems. Big problems.
I had to get the prednsone reduced, just had to. recently Added Motrin 800 mg and CBD oil. Finally down to 5 mg prednisone but the wrists still screaming until Motrin kicks in.
After month after month complaining of only wrist and hand pain I finally Had enough and demanded a nerve test. Guess what folks. Carpel Tunnel in both wrists and hands so bad neurologist recommended surgery right away! All those months on all that prednisone could have been found out much sooner by RA dr!!! He never even asked what kind of work I did for the part 30 years! All computer work!
I cannot wait to go back to RA dr and let him know I am not happy with his past two years of treatment and going to find another one for a second opinion. Do I even have RA? I went in two years ago with one hand swollen and tender. Of course there would be inflammation markers but does that mean it is RA?
I have problems with my wrists on and off. It is a sign that my RD is flaring. You need to speak to your Rheumie nurse or Consultant. Ask for an appointment with your Physio who may suggest wrist supports/splints. If you have it, Naproxen will help, also ice/ heat packs will give some relief.
Ultimately, for me, a steroid injection in the wrist proved most effective until the flare ended.
Wrist splints - my physio advised wearing them in bed. You get a better sleep that way.
I rang this morning and I will have a steroid injection they are miracle workers. I’ve had my fingers injected and ultra sound guided in my foot. And they work so well!
I realise to only have them when you are desperate which is now. I have had RA for over 3 years and my wrists have always been fine 😭
Thank you everyone who has replied....the support on here is the best in the World!!
It makes such a difference knowing I can get in touch with people who know what it is like to have this painful condition.
Love & Light 💕
I am pleased you are getting some help to relieve your flare. I have been in my flare for a week now my left wrist and fingers are so painful and sore. There is only so much you can do with one arm. I find heat pads work for me even putting my wrist in hot water relieves the pain for a while.
Take care and like you say it is a great comfort to know you are not suffering on your own and that we know how difficult it is to cope with this disease at times.
I have wrist supports but prefer kinetic tape that my 10yr old puts on for me. My wrists feel like they're broken and one wrong move and its excruciating.
Hopefully steroid injection will give you some much needed reprieve x
Thank you Tabitha I have been using similar it is called Rock Tape.
I have an appointment next Friday with consultant Rheumatolgy and I’m debating whether to ring the Rheumatolgy helpline or just try and hang on. I’m ringing tomorrow to see if a cancellation has come up before next Friday. I know how busy they are.
Like yourself you understand how painful it is, they don’t look that inflamed because I’m quite thin, but my goodness they are painful when you move them quickly.
It was my right wrist that was the problem and now it’s in my left wrist.
What is doing this to our bodies ? It’s so hard to get my head around why it is so painful. You take care 😊
Somedays my bones protrude in my wrists that much they do actually look deformed and other days nothing but the pain is still as extreme. This is such an awful disease that we all have to deal with.
Makes sense to try and get an earlier appt if you can rather than holding out in discomfort x
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