stiffness

[Teddyboy17]

hi

Struggling recently everyday I so stiff and having bad nights . Can get to sleep but don’t stay asleep if it’s not my wrist waking me up it’s my arms . I have to physically move them with my other arm to try and get comfy. Once awake can’t get back sleep as uncomfortable. I’m so stiff in morning can last a few hours my hands my feet, it’s manageable at times then it slowly starts again towards evening. I’m so stressed . On top dose methotrexate sulphasalazine they talking about adding one. So whilst my joints are not hot and too swollen (some are) it’s the fact I’m so uncomfortable and ache so bad . Weakness in arms as wrists hurt to pick things up. Keep hoping there is light at end of the tunnel .

merry Christmas

[helixhelix]

The first year is most often the worst, so don’t despair. It took me a full year to settle on MTX, sulpha and hydroxy but I got there in the end.

Have you tried a body pillow (or several ordinary pillows the length of your body)? Strangely I found it helped to sleep as I could roll towards it, or use it fir support.

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to helixhelix]

I do that too and find it really helpful helixhelix, no idea why but it works for me.

[Madmusiclover]

There are other drugs. Don’t despair but make sure your rheumy knows how it is.

[greynot]

Have you talked to your rheumy or your GP about pain relief? and/or your stress?

[Teddyboy17]

I have now spoken to them and I’m going in tomorrow for in between review and possibly a steroid injection .

The trouble is I am scared of all this medication especially if it goes to injections but I also want to feel better so will try anything I guess now .

[medway-lady in reply to Teddyboy17]

It helps to think of medications as friends that enable rather than adversaries to be tolerated. Stiffness was one of the worst things for me but I have not had any for years as the meds do work it just takes time and the right ones. I found LEF to be brilliant and AZA is good with Benapali and I’m in remission. So if the MTX is not great ask about trying LEF it may not work for you but worth discussing. I’d take it again but not allowed due to an AKI which was not caused by an RA med.

It isalso worth remembering all meds even paracetamol can be dangerous so try not to overthink the RA ones they are well used by thousands of people and really can help you get back to a normal enough life sadly not all but for most people RA is controllable.

[welsh12 in reply to Teddyboy17]

Have you tried relaxing exercise etc easily said than done I know. Compression clothing as others have said. Hope you get some releif

[Gilliancheche]

Have you tried wearing a wrist support to sleep? I have found it helpful at times. Hopefully you will get your medication adjusted and things will improve soon 🤞

[Teddyboy17 in reply to Gilliancheche]

Yes wearing splints both hands at the moment x everything seems to be getting worse and I seemed to have odd good days a few months ago x

[Oshgosh]

are you prescribed pain killers ?

[Teddyboy17 in reply to Oshgosh]

Yes cocodamol and naproxen

[jillbarnes]

Hi did you mean they are planning to commence sulphasalazine. I take the combination of methotrexate and sulphasalazine and they did take a good 8 weeks to start to work. However with injecting methotrexate and taking 4 tabs of sulp per day it does help with symptoms. I have also started using a weighted blanket at night - no scientific evidence here but it certainly has helped with the joint pain and aids a good sleep.

[Teddyboy17 in reply to jillbarnes]

Hi

No already on methotrexate and sulphasalazine since June ! Slowly increased metho dose and now on 25mg past 9 weeks x

It’s not working or is this what I expect for ever not sure what’s normal anymore x

[jillbarnes]

Worth asking them to increase the sulphasalazine as well - it takes a few months and I still have massive flares especially in the cold and wet weather but compression clothing and weighted blanket worth a try

[Teddyboy17 in reply to jillbarnes]

I’m on 4 tabs a day so think that’s top dose x sorry you have massive flares still , I was hoping to be one of those who go into some kind remission x

[jillbarnes in reply to Teddyboy17]

Hopefully as the weather gets milder maybe you will start to feel better

[Chrissycl]

I'm on 6 sulfasalazine tablet daily 3 in am 3 in pm also need to take folic acid with them but not at the same time 2 hours before or after, plus I also take Baricitinib which helps

[Retirednhs]

I have been on methotrexate fir many years now and it is very helpful but is usually used with other drugs after a while as it starts to be unable to cope withe RA l see you are also on sulphasalazine so many other drugs tour Consultant could add or change you to to help the problems you are havi g so accept the help they offer and the change should help you . Wishing you better health for 2024 help

[AnnieJ123]

In the years when I had the same intense stiffness I would have to try to move my stiff joints frequently and not be still for too long. Not easy. Enteric coated Naproxen helped me, It mught help you, but do take on prescription with food and take care of your stomach.

[Teddyboy17 in reply to AnnieJ123]

Is your stiffness better these days ?

[AnnieJ123]

I have had RA for about 50 years . My hands,feet, elbows are deformed. The pain and stiffness eased , but has not conpletely dissapeared in the last 18 years.I still get flairs. Looking back, I suspect I had fibromyalgia as well as RA for around the first 38 . I was not tested and assumed it was caused by RA. Ask to be tested for this too.