hi. I had a steroid injection Tuesday only because I did think it would help my very stiff hands. But no luck it’s done nothing. I have had all my bloods checked as I’m constantly tired. No energy what so ever. These all came back with good readings. I’ve been on Sulfasalazine two tablets twice per day for past three months And now on Methotrexate for past month 8 tablets once week not sure if either are helping with my rheumatoid arthritis. How long will it be before I notice any improvement to my poor hands that are so stiff and very restrictive which I must say is getting me down
Or am I on medication that’s not suited to me
Any thoughts please
Lynda
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it can take a few weeks/months before you see an improvement. You could also try soaking hands in cold or hot water throughout the day. Cold works better for me
Hi. Yes I’ve got to wait the 3 months to see if it helps. But then change. Then that’s another 3 months. So all a pain. I’m new to all this. So do hope at end of day I can lead a normal life.
Hi . I often get steroid jabs , and for me they take about a week to start showing improvement and that gets better over the next six weeks.You are on a good dose of mtx and sulpha but again mine took at least three months to kick in .
Fatigue is a huge problem in ra and you just have to rest when you can but when the ra is more controlled it eases a bit.
A few thoughts though from my personal experience . Have you had your vitamin b12 checked? I now need 3 monthly injections, that made me exhausted. Are you having your folic acid?
If the steroids aren't helping and your bloods are OK then my doc would say it's not inflammation ( as the steroids would knock it on the head) but do you also have osteoarthritis too?
Have you asked to see the occupational therapist. Ours runs a hand clinic where I get massage, hot wax therapy ( u can but these pain relieving ths online , do be careful though!) And gave me fitted hand/ wrist splint which were so helpful and pain relieving.
If after 12 weeks the drugs aren't helping then you can talk to the rheumy about whether they feel the drugs are working or you maybe need to step up to biologic drugs.
If the steroid injection hasn’t worked, contact your rheumatologist again, you may well need to have your medication adjusted.
I’m on 4 tablets per day of Sulfasalazine, and 10mg of Methotrexate. I do still have a bit of pain in my right hip, as that was my most problematic joint for a good while. I was a lot better when I was on a higher dose of Methotrexate as well.
See what your Consultant says.
What I would say was last time I had a jab of Depomedrone, it took over a week to kick in?
As for the tiredness, my Consultant found I was anaemic and I also had an underactive thyroid. This is quite common (so I’ve been told) with people who have autoimmune conditions.
i know hwo you feel my haands are bbad to, re the steriod injection, at least allow 2 weeks , where did you have it? nothing worse than painful stiff hands and not being able to move them
I was given the steroid injection with no discernable effect. When my med was changed I was given steroid tabs instead of the injection and they worked like magic. Any of these meds for RA can take up to 12 weeks before they take full effect and that's a very long wait when you're in pain and unable to use your hands properly. Good luck.
Hi agree. As I’ve on,t been on the meth one for it to take 3 months to may be have any effect that seems ages away. Do hope it does work or things will have to be changed then another bloody 3 months so that’s a pain. But hope I feel normal soon. I’ve always been so active and don’t feel I’m leading a normal life at mo.
It's hard to lose that great feeling of being active, I've lost that too along with all of my many hobbies. I started on sulfasalazine and gave that 3 months, then on to leflunomide and that had 4 months due to Christmas hols and now still on leflunomide with methatrexate for the last 2-3 weeks. It truthfully is only the steroids that are keeping me going. After the first course sent me off with the fairies, they put me on a lower dose to start the 2nd course and that worked extremely well but when I went down to 1 a day noticed a difference so I asked if they'd keep me on 2 a day till I saw my consultant in April and they agreed. Anybody would think I'm normal!!! Good luck with yours.
Hi, have you tried Isotoner gloves? I got my first pair from hand therapy at the hospital but I then continued to buy online. They are in my opinion the best compression gloves around and you can sleep in them. They help to reset the hands and I use them every night. I also bought online a hand massager, which has been a great help too. I take methotrexate and hydroxy although still felt my hands were under par and researched what else would help. I found out that synovial fluid is impacted by autoimmune and take hyaluronic supplementation to increase the synovial fluid level in tissues. This kicked in at week 11, I take them everyday now. Buy mine from Weightworld. Hope these ideas help you too, regards Deborah
Thank you will try anything to try and lead a normal life. Which at mo I feel I’m not. It really gets me down. Sat and cried yesterday as felt so low. This is all new to me as I’ve always been such an active person. Thanks again Lynda
I felt the same Lynda, I was very low with it all. I couldn't see how Istoner gloves could make a difference but they have for both myself and husband, who now also uses them. They work due to the increased blood flow which then heals the inflammation/hands. The stitching is on the outside so they are comfortable to wear. You can wear them in the day as well as sleep in them (use rubber gloves over them if you are doing housework).
I was fed up looking the rhemy in the face, telling him my hands still felt different(despite the prescribed meds/sufficient time for them to work) and him looking back at me blankly as though there was no more that he could do. That's why I tracked down hyaluronic supplementation and I honestly felt a difference at 11 weeks.
I have to be careful with my hands now but there are many a time, I now forget about them and just get on with what I have to. Wishing you well x
Do hope that happens to me as my hands do drag me down feeling too restrictive with jobs I just can’t do. As no strength in arms hands and wrists. Glad it worked for you.
steroid tablets I found effective the injections unfortunately didn’t work. I suffer from very sore hands and stiffness along with shoulder pain and where ever my RA decides to flare ..
I've had good results with Balsam Fir Needle oil strait or cut with Sweet Almond or JoJoba oils for longer lasting , it is noted for arthritis and inflammation relief and some friend found Immediate relief (it's not expensive and available in most health food stores).
can you go to a reflexologist and get them dipped in wax? It only helps temporarily but does feel better for a while. How about when you go to bed rub on tiger balm and put on arthritis gloves? Or any rub you prefer. Castor oil sometimes makes a good rub too.
I have never tried the water soak but I will now, thanks folks.. As well as the hand splints, I was told to wear thear them during the night, that works for me, You can also get resting splints I find them wonderful I use them whenever I am just sitting I great loads of relief Good Luck xx
My Rheumatoid nurse suggested wearing rubber gloves wen putting hands in hot water, and doing it first thing in morning. No cure, but soothing and helps to loosen things up. Hope ur meds kick in soon 🤞
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Steroids
Meloxicam -any positive experiences?
Can't cope with r a pain 
methotrexate 
