Rheumo in my elbows

[Annemarie24]

Im newly diagnosed started rreatment a wrek ago so still waiting for meds to work ,i Nipped to morrisons yesturday pushed a small trolly, woke up this morning with a swallon elbow/arm both hurt alot , now im geting pains in my shoulders on front and on the back , should i phone rheumo nurse ? I have 3 months wait til I see the rheumotoligist, any tips please

[Hidden]

No harm in letting you Rheumy nurse know. It sounds like your having a flare. It can take up to 3 months before meds take effect. Your nurse may offer you a steroid injection to tide you over. Make sure you rest take nsaids and paracetamol. Ice and heat pads may offer some relief.l

[Hidden]

I was like this when I first started with RA and incredibly painful and for me at night. Did lots of painkillers, pregablin and then steroids til i saw the Rheumy team. I would call the team for advice

[Hidden]

Sorry to hear that, whatever you do be wary of taking methotrexate as it has caused my husband to have breathing problems.

[mickeysmom34472]

i can sympathize with you. I saw my rheumatologist last week and had just gotten over flare in my left shoulder and hands too. I am on Humira so I guess its not working so she is looking into cymzia. I am on 5mg of Medrol*steroid) ,one in the morening and at night. I am experiency flare now in my roght shoulder and left elbow. Very painful.I am hoping for a painfree day in the near future. Good luck, feel your pain.

[Bojedo]

Annemarie24, Like others have said, it would be most helpful to contact your rheumatology team for guidance. Not sure of which meds you have been prescribed, but for me the only med that helped within a week was prednisone. You are experiencing the learning process of what your limitations are right now, and being aware of what activities will cause more pain.

For me, certain limitations have never changed, regardless of how my PSA has improved over time from the medications. Pushing a shopping cart, as well as holding on to a steering wheel, or anything that involves grabbing on to something and moving it, has been followed with more pain. The benefit of the meds has been that I can do more of these activities with some limitations and not have pain. 🙂

When I started with the rheumatologist, I was given three months too. This is probably because it was 3 months plus, until feeling some good affects from the meds. But changes still needed to be made. The rheumatologist did not give me much help in learning how to cope within the long wait for the slow improvement the meds take.

I hope this helps you see the process that you are beginning.

It involves taking the time for your meds to work, learning your limitations, developing a good relationship with the rheumatology team, and learning when to ask for help.

I think if you are in too uncomfortable right now, contact the rheumatology team for their guidance and help.

Of course, this site is an incredible resource of help and individual viewpoints too.

Wishing you the best!

[Annemarie24 in reply to Bojedo]

I phoned the number the nurse have me today at 11 am left a message no reply yet im not sure how long it normaly takes , il try again tomorrow if not il have to try my docters again but there not the best , this site has helped me alot thank you

[JFlay in reply to Annemarie24]

See what they say when they get back to you. I gave myself a tennis elbow flare up using the lawnmower last year, took about 5 weeks to clear up, never had anything like that before. Just doing everyday stuff can seem to bring on aches, pains, flares and fatigue ☹️

[Brychni]

yes - I have the elbow thing too. It's been coming literally for years. The first elbow symptom I ever had was about 6 years ago when they went puffy and bruised, both of them proper black bruising, no pain. Really weird. Now, it is one of my most constant pains. It's often in both but sets in the right one and I now have it all the time...

The other thing I've noticed is that any 'new' activity like painting the dining room, or riding my bike (first time in ages) will trigger inflammation somewhere or even worse, the back/neck/scalp/ear thing. Apparently this is typical of RA.