New to RA

[Julie56TT]

Morning all

Im very new to RA, was only diagnosed in Feb, but I was showing symptoms from Sept last year..

I needed some advice please, as we're in lockdown I don't find it that easy to get any info!

When you refer to a flare up, what exactly do you mean?

At present my hands/wrists / fingers, knees and ankles all feel so tight, swollen and uncomfortable, making it really hard to do day to day general things!

I sit down and struggle getting back up, my knees are awful, even holding cutlery is telling on me!

Is this a flare up and what can I do to help myself with it..

Any advice would be gratefully received.

Thank you

[Hidden]

Hi Julie and welcome. I’m sorry you have had to joins us.

You don’t say if your on any medication. Most meds take up to 3 months before they start to work

A flare and active disease is difficult to identify as it’s different for everyone. My guess for you and it’s only a guess is that your disease is still not under control. A flare usually happens after a period of time when you disease has been controlled. A flare is unpredictable can last just from just a few hours to many months. You can be stiff, swollen , mobility problems and fatigue. You can have all of these symptoms or just one or two.

This is a great place for help and understanding it has really helped me. I hope this helps . I’m sure others may some more advise.

[Julie56TT in reply to Hidden]

Hi allanah

Thank you for coming back to me.

I have been on hydroxychloroquine since mid Feb, along with prednisone, methotrexate since mid march, along with Folic Acid and on Lansoprazole for sickness.

I was advised it could take about 3 months to settle, I have a hospital appointment at the end of July!

I shall also have a look on the website.

Thanks again x

[allanah]

Hi and welcome. Look on the national rheumatoid society website nras.org.uk

They admin this site too. They have loads of info and advice particularly for newly diagnosed x

[springcross]

Have you been offered a steroid injection to help with the inflammation?

[Julie56TT in reply to springcross]

Hi,

Not as yet, I'm on 5mg a day..

I think I need to ring the RA clinic again, maybe they'll suggest one!

[springcross in reply to Julie56TT]

I don't know the workings of it but it may be they haven't offered because you are on MTX and Hydroxy also steroid tablets. No harm in asking though as you sound as though you are in a lot of discomfort. When I was diagnosed last summer, I was given a steroid injection, a course of Prednisalone tablets 7.5 mg and MTX. Good luck and let us know how you get on. xx

[Skezza]

I have been on methotrexate for 8 years. Due to the pandemic I decided to stop taking them as they are immuno suppressant. After around 3 weeks I started having problems with my knee, swelling and pain. I started my meditation again and the issues with my knee have disappeared. When I initially started taking the medication I do remember that it was some months before I started to feel positive effects.