RA and pain

[Rachel43]

Hi all. Really struggling with the pain at moment. Especially in my hands & feet. Totally unsure if it’s the weather, stress or the start of the menopause 🤦🏻‍♀️

Any suggestions on dealing with pain appreciated

[vonniesims]

What are you taking now?

[Rachel43 in reply to vonniesims]

I’m on naproxen and a JAK inhibitor not sure how you spell it (bactarnab)

[vonniesims in reply to Rachel43]

I take paracetamol x2 and have codeine on prescription to take in between if needed . (Have to persuade the GP that this is good), but usually the paracetamol works. Hope you get comfortable, my fingers are aching too unusually

[Hidden]

My hands have been really hurting this week, and my legs have been very stiff; especially if I’ve been sat cross legged and have to get up again.. I think it’s the cold; even though I have my central heating on. I put ‘deep heat’ on my hands and cover with compression gloves. That works for me…

Sulphasalazine works best for me and amitriptyline.

[Neonkittie17]

Ouch. My joints normally well behaved joints which I haven’t heard a peep from let me know they were/are sore as soon as it went to zero. Keep moving them gently all you can hurt by getting up and down and keeping the blood circulating. Warm layers and heat pads/hot water bottles/whatever works for you heat wise, but don’t let yourself get cold. Muscles really do stiffen/contract in the cold and joints hurt far more. 😑

[Lolabridge]

I find heat packs/hot water bottles really help me but some prefer ice packs.

Someone on here mentioned hoping for heated socks for Christmas- perhaps they would help. Or an electrically heated foot muff. No idea where you can get them. Otherwise thermal socks if you are out and about.

I have a Theramitt (bought off Amazon) that can be heated in the microwave and it’s great for aching hands. Here’s a link amzn.eu/2wqIodZ

Some compression gloves might also help and you can sleep in some types.

I hope you can get some relief soon.

[medway-lady]

I don't experience increased pain but the fatigue gets much worse. I got really, really cold last week for about 6 hours and felt dreadful the next day. It was a right off so I do think cold makes RA worse and sunshine really helps it or it could be less humidity ? I don't know but in the sunshine I alway feel much better.

[wilbertjellyfish]

I have 30/500 co codamol and eterocoxib on prescription. The second is similar to naproxen but once a day. Sulphadine max which is over the counter is 15/500 co codamol. Your best to take the paracetamol four times a day to try to get on top of the pain and then stay on top of it. Before I got the pneumonia I had been swimming and it really helped my joints, being in warm water helped too but only when I was in it

Hoping this settles for you soon.

[Rachel43]

thanks for all the responses.

Going to try the regular paracetamol & hand warmers.

CRP is up to 25.

[BoneyC]

If your CRP is up to 25 and you have increased pain, then perhaps you might want to try contacting rheumatology or GP (easier said than done these days) but they might suggest a short course of prednisolone to get you through Christmas. Hope you get some relief.

[Rachel43 in reply to BoneyC]

I spoke to GP yesterday & they said contact rheumatology. I contact them they said speak to GP.

I just feel like I’m being passed about. Getting worried about loosing my job now. I’ve been off more than I’ve been in this year.

[Hidden in reply to Rachel43]

Have a read of this x

healthunlocked.com/redirect...

[BoneyC in reply to Rachel43]

It is so difficult to get to speak let alone see a Dr. these days. Does your GP Surgery have an online system that you can message saying your pain has increased, CRP raised, Rheumatology referred you back to GP, etc. and ask whether you can have steroids to get you through Christmas?

Our GP Surgery is part of a group of 5 different villages and has drastically gone south since. Yesterday they posted a message on social media saying they are working at 60% capacity (not enough GP's, sickness etc.), and requests for appointments had increased by 75% (especially because of Strep A) but then went on to have a right old moan about patients wasting time by not going to pharmacist instead, not saying they need a repeat prescription, not using the online service to request sick notes etc. It was quite rude in parts (for Doctors) and could put some patients off contacting their GP when they do need help.

[Rachel43]

I’ve got a telephone consultation on Friday. No appointments till next year 🤦🏻‍♀️

Rheumatologist in Cumbria are cold dust. I keep just getting passed around. I’m on waiting list for foot surgery as a joint has popped out. Been on urgent list for 6 months now. They are all so understaffed. I do feel sorry for them. We are all suffering.

[stbernhard]

I have been in a lot of pain for many reasons over the last three years. I had to really fight to get effective pain control, but it was worth it. it enabled me to rid myself of the restictions and fatigue the pain caused. Talk to your GP and be insistent if you can. Unfortunately that is the way things are at the moment. If you don't ask you won't get.