Hi, I am new to this game. At 36 I was diagnosed with RA (a month ago). Had my first steroid infection & on methotrexate plus painkillers. Currently doing ok but struggling with stiffness in my knees (I am sure the joint will change tomorrow). Any tips to help with the stiffness?? Many Thanks in advance.
(hope you are all keeping safe at these uncertain times)
The MTX can take 8-12 weeks to kick in, hopefully the steroid injection will tide you over. My injection started working after 6 hours but faded out after 3 days, however I was then give prednisone tablets on a reducing dose for 8 weeks which worked a treat. I have been on MTX for just over a year now and although I still have some pain, it’s not too much and I’m now about 90% normal.
So welcome to the club and good luck.
Thank you very much. Fingers crossed in time the MTX kicks in. I have an consultation next week (telephone) so may mention the stiffness still.
Not alot you can do it will go when it feels like it. Just rest and don’t stress. RD LOVES STRESS. ( almost impossible at the moment)Welcome. Great site any questions some one will help
Thank you. I must remember to listen to my body. Thank you
Welcome to this lovely forum. I’m Gail 44 and was diagnosed last July. Very hard to advise on the stiffness. Definitely worth mentioning when you have your telephone consultant next week. We all respond so differently to meds and the journey of RA/RD is like a rollercoaster at times. In the words of Forrest Gump Life is like a box of chocolates and you never know which ones you will get. 😊.
Keep in touch and let us know how you are. This is such a lovely supportive forum.
Thank you so much. Very useful. You hear one persons story & just think it will be the same for you but of course, we are all different.
It really is a great/supportive forum. Happy to have found it. Thank you.
Here, hear. Talking about boxes of chocolates, I am ploughing my way through a box of Roses at the moment and I know exactly which ones I am getting. 😁
Good going springcross! Have another one for me 
Aww, alright then, if you insist. 😁
Methotrexate should improve your stiffness in a month or 2. Just relax, take warm showers and try to help yourself as much as you can with your diet too, I've noticed great improvements with stiffness when not eating certain foods. Just listen to your body and try not to mix too many things in one plate so that you can tell the difference.
Best wishes!
I defiantly think i am rushing my journey & need to remember I will not feel better over night. Thank you so much - foods is a great point. Might start a food diary.
Really appreciate you reaching out.
Welcome Kerrychelsea. What painkillers are you taking? I too had the steroid tablets plus the injection and MTX but if I needed anything extra, I found Paracetamol helpful. All the best. x
I am taking co-codamol & neproxen but only when i really need too. Thank you. It defiantly is trial & error now. Wishing you all the best. x
If you've had a steroid injection, I'm not sure you should be taking anti-inflammatories. Are you also taking steroid tablets? Check on the NRSA website to see if there is anything there about it as it may cause gastro-intestinal problems and you don't want that. Or you could ring your rheumy nurse helpline. Let us know how you get on. x
I have taken anti-inflammatories and had steroid injections since diagnosis, I've never been told you can't have both 😊
Yeah, absolutely fine to have the injection & anti-inflammatories-i triple checked. No taking steroid tablets but had the injection 3 weeks ago. Thank you x
If you've already checked then you can't do more than that can you. x
I don't wish to challenge but I’ve been prescribed an NSAID from day one, diagnosed in 2008, & I’ve had both localised & general steroid injections. My Rheumy has either injected them herself of instructed for them to be injected & initiated the NSAID. What is important is to be coprescribed a ppi with NSAIDs in order to protect the tum, help avoid gastrointestinal problems.
I was told by GP not to take steroids and Naproxen so we all get very different information but maybe it’s all to do with everything else we have going on too 🤪
I’ve not taken naproxen in a long while, it stopped working for me, but I’ve been on etoricoxib around 8 years, permanent oral steroids for 7 & had steroid injections whilst on both. Clearly thoughts differ but not sure if it's the exception that proves the rule or otherwise Deb! 😆
I found too naproxen did not do much so gave it up but was mentioned then. We all react so differently to drugs. 🤪
Hello and welcome Kerrychelsea. Have you tried warmth when you are particularly stiff? I have a heat pad but you could use a hot water bottle (not too hot) or as others have said a soak in a warm bath. I hope the methotrexate starts working for you soon😊
Hi Kittyj. Great thinking. Did you get the heat patches from boots? I have a hot water bottle so i will be using this tonight. Thank you millions x
It’s an electric heat pad I think it came from Argos a long time ago, I’m sure you can still get them other places if not. Like this
Lidl and Aldi often do things like this too so keep a look out there. They don’t have them all the time.
joint stiffness
Shoulder Pain/Stiffness
HAND STIFFNESS
morning stiffness
Pain, stiffness & fatigue but low active disease 
