Bad timing!

[Pigletts]

Hi

I have posted before for advice about first appt, thank you for your advice. I haven't had initial appt with rheumatologist as yet, should be on the 23rd, but this may not happen? Really bad timing!!! My GP thinks I have RA as blood tests indicate it. Until yesterday, I have had discomfort in several joints of my right hand with a pit of puffiness as well, but this comes and goes, and hasn't been too bad. However, yesterday morning my right ankle was really painful, and I am now not able to walk on my right foot properly. The ankle joint is puffy, and it looks a bit purple, totally different to my left foot. It's as if I have broken a bone or something, but I haven't done anything to it. It's not agony, but in usual circumstances I would have given it a few days and made an app with my GP, but I won't be doing that as I dont want to hassle them. Does this sound like something that happens with RA? Can this happen overnight with RA? If it is, what helps the most, heat, cold, putting foot up, moving the ankle joint as much as possible, moving it as little as possible, gentle massage ? I realise everyone is different, just wanted to see what people thought.

I will see if the rhuematology dept contact me about the appt, but I have been told by someone that the hospital I was going to be attending is now a covid-19 hospital, so who knows!!

Thank you

[Hidden]

Firstly take a photo. Any evidence helps.

Yes a flare of a joint can happen within a blink of an eye at any time. Take nsaids and pain medication. Try both hot and cold packs. Roll you foot over a tennis ball . I’ve tried physio etc didn’t help sometimes you have to wait for it to burn out while you waiting for medication. How long ?🤷🏽‍♀️🤷🏽‍♀️ an Epsom salts can bath helps ease the swelling . So sorry your left in limbo

[Pigletts in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, I have now taken photos, I hadn't thought of doing that! Thank you for your other advice, will try them all, and see how it goes. Although the discomfort in my right hand joints has been coming and going for a few months, I hadn't really thought that other joints may 'join in' the fun so soon, especially not an ankle joint, so that's me told! Can a flare last any period of time at all, days, weeks? Thanks

[Hidden in reply to Pigletts]

Oh yes I have flares that will last an hour or at my worst7/8 months. It’s a fickle disease

[Pigletts in reply to Hidden]

Yuk😱

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Fickle will be my new word for RA

[Pigletts in reply to Hidden]

That's great! Although maybe a bit kind to RA, from what you have all been through / are going through - there must be a stronger word for it?! Answers on a postcard please....maybe not.

[Hidden]

I second what J1707 says about Epsom salts. You can get big bags cheaply in places like Poundshops (if they are still open) or the same brand in Boots for at least twice the price. Give your ankle a good soak. Keeping your foot raised on a couple of pillows overnight might help too. If you can get around without terrible pain, I'd say keep moving, but be guided by how it feels. When my ankles were very swollen, I found the worst pain was often when I first started moving and it got better as I kept going, but yours may be different. Keep it moving if possible, maybe just waggling it about while sitting if walking is too painful, but don't overdo it.

[Pigletts in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, I am going to see if I can get some Epsom salts in Boots tomorrow, not sure if other shops will be open! My ankle was so hot and puffy last night, but a freezer block wrapped in a towel helped I think, also I put some ibuleve on it, it's certainly less puffy today, although still swollen. I can actually walk on it much better today, albeit with a limp, so fingers crossed. Thanks for your advice.

[Hidden in reply to Pigletts]

Amazon sell it I buy big big buckets of it but you can get smaller packets

[Pigletts in reply to Hidden]

Wow, they must be good?! I have just googled what epsom salts are made up of, then remembered that my other half got some magnesium flakes ( expensive, and not like him to buy that sort of thing) a while ago, do you know if they would do the same, it says they can be used in a foot or bath soak. Might try them tonight and see if they help at all....

[Hidden in reply to Pigletts]

Yes definitely give them ago. Magnesium is used by athletes for sprains / swelling and inflammation