First Post

[listellor]

well I find this after my mother kept on at me to see wether there were help online . I work as a postman and never thought I would get rheumatism .

I had torn my meniscus (Think I spelt it right) si went in for keyhole to repair it and check both knees , When I saw the surgeon after the op he said I have some good news and bad news , good news is I repaired the meniscus and the left knee is clear bad news is I had to take a biopsy . so he told me what is was and then I waited to see a different specialist.

I was first started on metatrixate and quickly went to the maximum dose , however I kept on having bad times with it , going into work half stoned , having to sleep the drowsiness off . finally I started having adverse reactions to the metatrxiate . so they moved me on to sufasatine , leflunomide and qineine one .

touch wood it seems to stabilise it for about 4 months then I had a major flare up on the knees so they have increased the leflunomide and I am in the 6 week period to see if it works otherwise she will increase the qunine one .

Think that's long enough for my first post

[Mmrr]

Welcome to the forum listellor, I think you will find lots of information and support here.

I hope your new medication regime clicks in soon.

It sounds as if you have had good care ?

[Hidden]

Welcome glad you found us . I have learnt do much from this site. The most important thing was resting during a flare. It’s difficult when you have a physical job but sometimes you just need to rest get through the flare pushing through may cause damage . It’s a difficult juggling act. It’s sounds like you have a good Rheumy team ask them for advice. Any questions someone on here may have an answer

[Kerensa21]

nras.org.uk/

Apologies if you’ve already seen it but they have loads of info, a helpline & free booklets on all aspects of RA. Good luck with your treatment. 🤗

[Sockknitter]

As you have a physical job, it might be useful to have a conversation with your employer. If you access the NRAS website, they have a booklet for employers. It will help you explain your illness.

[allanah]

Hello and welcome. So glad you got spotted tho! good job by the surgeon!! Glad you got the meds to help stop any more problems x

[Pippy25]

Firstly welcome to the forum I hope you will be able to gain some valuable information. My dad was a postie for 30 years and so I know what a physical job it is, as well as being out in the elements as he was day in day out covering many a mile. Although for the last few years of his job before he retired he was office based working nights, although he prefered being outdoors. I had a torn menicsus to my right knee some 20 years ago in an accident which happened at work and had key hole surgery to repair it. I was doing well until last year with it but have been having problems lately. Sounds like you had a good surgeon. As others have said the NRAS have a booklet for employers so may be worth having a look at alongside any other information which is appropriate to your situation. Best wishes

[listellor]

I have been lucky because I have a line manager who has a similar condition so when they were deciding wether to let me go he spoke up for me so im inside now and since all 3 of us on the front counter have medical issue we support one another . all of us have bad days and the other 2 help us through .

[28maggie11 in reply to listellor]

Humanity at work. Good luck with your RA journey.