Can anyone help

[Slate56]

hi everyone been a while since I’ve posted but always keep reading three and a half years now been on mtx and 2 other ones everything seem to be in control it’s my knees and left foot it is affected had to give up my trade slating 2years ago which was a disappointing but accept that have a hgv license so was quite easy to get a job now 2years on beginning to think it’s starting all over again now seems to be both hands neck and toes ache had to come home from work few times now trying today to get appointment with doctor so can anyone out there relate to this and tell me the outcome thanks

[AgedCrone]

You are on the right track pushing to get an appointment with your GP…but don’t play the brave little soldier…explain exactly how the changes are adversely affecting you & that you are finding it very difficult to carry out your job.

Definitely ask for an urgent referral back to your rheumatologist who will be able to change or add to your present drugs….in the early days of RA I often saw my rheumy to tweak/change my drugs & 20+ years down the line I’m doing OK.

In the meantime ask for some suitable painkillers…..but get on that consultant appointment …if you can’t see your GP soon….get in touch directly with your rheumy team.

Good Luck.

[Slate56 in reply to AgedCrone]

thanks

[janmary]

I assume that you’re still overseen by a rheumatologist dept ? If so try to contact the specialist nurse if they have one - or the dept secretary for some help .

[Slate56 in reply to janmary]

thanks

[3LittleBirds2]

Hi Slate

Sounds like you could do with a medication tweak if things are becoming active again?

Best wishes and good luck getting an appointment with your GP/Rheumatologist.

My RA is definetly flaring again and will be asking for a Depo Jab to get me through until I get my medication sorted.

[Slate56 in reply to 3LittleBirds2]

thanks

[Nanna71]

I've been on MTX for about the same time but the dose was increased until max, 25 mgs per week plus almost max sulfasalazine 2 gms (4 tabs daily). Perhaps you need an increase if you are not at max. FYI - I use prednisone when I am having pain or a flare, as a pain killer. It works for me and my rheumatologist is fine with it. Don't do anything on your own. Let the doctors decide or help you to decide. Hope you have good health care people.

[Slate56 in reply to Nanna71]

thanks

[Niconn]

Hi, obviously consult with your rheumatologist but in the meantime it might be worth thinking about what has changed in your diet/habits since your flare happened, in case you can help your symptoms before the medication change takes effect. For me too much inflammatory foods e.g red meat, dairy, fried food cause flare-ups. Best of luck

[Slate56 in reply to Niconn]

thanks

[Katie-Mag]

Sorry to hear about your current RA issues Slate 56.

As others have written- get back to your rheumatology team, from experience sometimes you have to push quite hard for a change in medication. However, it sounds like your RA is having quite an impact on your life at the moment- really effective treatments are available. Good luck!

[Hidden]

Morning. I found that cutting out gluten from my diet made a huge difference. Gluten free pasta is easy enough to find, and go for rice noodles instead of wheat ones. I cheat with occasional bread as I find gluten free bread pretty awful.

What may have changed is your driving… if you are in a fixed position for several hours, this will have a detrimental effect. Think about how your sitting position can be improved and maybe get a physio appointment, to give you some exercises you can do to help.

This site has some aids to help you when driving:

grannygetsagrip.com/

[*I’m not a granny either😂]

[Slate56 in reply to Hidden]

thanks