Hi just wondered if anyone is able to offer any advice on what kind of jobs people with RA are doing and how they manage

[Revita2020]

Hi just wondered if anyone is able to offer any advice on what kind of jobs people with RA are doing and how they manage if they have regular flare ups in their hands? I'm currently on Benapali injections that do seem to be working as my RA is nowhere near as bad as it was before I started it but I do still have regular flare ups an when using my fingers to type on a computer or phone etc this can really set my RA off. All my previous jobs have been on a computer all day but i really dont think I'd be able to do that kind of work anymore with my hands the way they are . I'm starting to feel like I'm never going to be able to do anything without my fingers flaring up. I really want to get back out there an get to work especially for my own self esteem. Im just wondering what other people with RA in their hands do and how they manage? I would be grateful of any advice.

[runningbracken]

Hi Revita, am a joiner by trade. When my RA first started i couldn't even lift a hammer or hold a screwdriver in my hand, it was agony.I thought i would never be able to work again. I struggled with everything. I also had my son to look after which was the worst.

I was taking MTX orally which helped but was still flaring really bad. Shoulders wrists hands and feet where always sore all the time.

I did try to work but it was to much, i'd be lucky if i got a day in a week but most of the time i just didn't try.

I was put on the metoject MTX 20mg back in December 2020 and ever since have got better and better. Am back at work, still get tired as the day draws on but am banging away with my hammer and saw.

Am also a keen runner and am back to 50km over the week which is great. No pains or aches really.

What i was given is Naproxon which i take if i feel a little sore in the morning.

When i was having flares in the early days i never thought i would feel normal again but i did an do. Hope this helps Revita 👍

[Revita2020 in reply to runningbracken]

Thank you for you're reply this post was just what I was hoping for some positivity and to know there is still hope. Maybe I'm not on the right meds or their not working as good as they should for me anymore. Its good to know people with RA can still do the things you thought you wouldn't be able to do again. I was just about to give up hope an think this is how it's going to be for me now. Thanks again for you're reply 🙂

[runningbracken in reply to Revita2020]

Dont give up as Peter Gabriel sang 🙂

[Knip in reply to runningbracken]

Brilliant. So glad that you are doing so well. It's surprising how much we take for granted about our health until we have RA and then just doing normal everyday things again brings us so much pleasure. Stay safe and well.

[runningbracken in reply to Knip]

Thanks Knip hope your doing as well🙂

[Boxerlady]

I think that if you're still having regular flare ups that means that your medication hasn't got your RA under control. My joints were getting worse about a year ago and I rang the nurse helpline and they started tweaking my medication and gradually things improved. My work depends on hand dexterity and I've kept mentioning that from the beginning and it seems to make them extra determined to get things under control so maybe you need to push them a bit? I do take care to not to use my hands "unnecessarily" e. g. do my newspaper puzzles on the tab rather than using a pen, avoid carrying bags looped over my fingers. I've been able to continue working although I do less hours than I used to and always schedule in breaks so that I don't get overtired; I also make sure that I have a free day when necessary - usually after my Methotrexate!

[quatjen]

Hi Revita I’ve been furloughed all but 10 weeks last year, now steroid free I’m hopefully when I go back to work I can keep up the pace 🤷‍♀️ Time will tell, I was diagnosed two weeks in to first lockdown last year, so bit nervous, I’m a chef so standing, heavy lifting and repetitive type jobs keeping my fingers crossed 🤞

work place’s can make changes ergonomically in help with phone headset or help with sitting comfortably to help use the computer, my work place have bought fatigue mats for the kitchen it’s like dragging my comforter around with me, make such a difference.

I wish you all the best of luck and I believe we can can do it, 😬 take care Jen xx

[Carolsos]

Hi Revita, I am a breakfast chef and I go back to work next week. When I was first diagnosed, my fingers, wrists, hands, shoulders, knees and feet were in agony. I was off work for 3 months I could not move without being in pain! I was put on mtx straight away and gradually other drugs were added. My hours have been cut when I go back. It's the standing all day that gets me, my knees swell up, but I am hoping with being on reduced hours will help this time around! The fatigued gets me all the time. It will take a while to get back to normal working again. There is light at the end of the tunnel. Take care .

[Revita2020]

Thank you all for you're replies. I have an appointment with my rheumy next week I think I'm going to have a chat with them and see what they suggest.

[Lolabridge in reply to Revita2020]

That's good as I agree it sounds as though your RA is not as well controlled as it could be.

Have you ever been referred by your Rheumy to see a Hand Therapist? If not do ask for that. My hand therapist was super and gave me a pair of compressions gloves which are great; she told me to wear them in bed at night if my hands were hurting. She also made me a rigid mesh cradle for my left hand and forearm so it supports my wrist too and allows me to completely rest the had and wrist when it aches - absolutely brilliant.

Thankfully now my RA is under control I have far fewer problems with my hands just trigger finger sometimes. It's the feet causing me trouble now, but that's another story ...

[Teatrees]

Hi Revita, I suffer from a lot of tiredness with my RA and my worse although better in the last year, is my feet and standing too long... instead of lots of demanding typing, I am now doing one hour a day in a school as a Lunchtime Supervisor and love this, though with the getting ready before and after I find this is enough. I hope you find a little thing to get you out too. 😊

[Noodles43 in reply to Teatrees]

I’m a midday assistant too! I do an hour and a half and thoroughly enjoy it, I have fantastic colleagues and the children are great at keeping me feeling young. I find that it is plenty for me along with household chores and two dogs and allows for an afternoon nap 😄

[Teatrees in reply to Noodles43]

Well snap 😄my son often wonders don't I want more hours but with a dog, cat and house to look after a little time out is all I need. Some other people may like to try a few hours of voluntary work.

[netball7]

Hi Rebita, I like you have had problems for years mainly in my hands, wrists, feet and knees with the worst being my hands.I was a keen sports person and PE teacher. I tried several medications over the years had to stop all my sport and change job role.

Now thanks to Benapli I have my life back literally. It took six months to work fully and I can walk unaided and even bake a cake...I couldn't even hold a pen previously. Wishing you all the best and healthier times to come.

[BoneyC]

I was dx. age 6 and did secretarial work for 22 years, retiring at 39 after neurosurgery to fuse my neck.