new to this blogg writing but always go on site to read other peoples and is very helpful

Hi jhead, it sounds like you've been having a very bad time of it. I'm currently undergoing tests and waiting to find out if I have ra but I can sympathise with what you are saying. I've been in pain since June last year while trying to get a diagnosis. I found for a while that I could think of nothing but my pain until I directed my energy into other things. I now try to go swimming 3 times a week. I find the water very soothing and it really eases my fingers and toes. I've also set my mind to losing weight and this gives me new goals to focus on. Also making new friends on here has been brilliant. It's good to be able to have a good moan when I need to without being seen as a whinger. I hope you feel better soon and get the help you need. x

Hi there, it is dreadful when pain just goes on and on - so much sympathy as I know how wearing it is. I hope you've got a ice packs, wheat pillows and full range of the basic painkillers on hand and are taking them consistently so that they build up properly? The only other thing I can suggest is that you go back to your GP, and say that the tramadol isn't keeping the pain under control. I've found that I do have to (politely) keep pushing the doc, and unless you tell them they'll assume you're ok. There are other things they can try - whether different types of pain relief, morphine patches or steroids, so there is hope. Good luck.

Hello - not much to add to what others have said but what DMARD are you taking I wonder if you have a diagnosis? Also do you take a NSAID such as Naproxen because the anti inflammatory side of things is important. I can't believe you have to wait so long to see a consultant and rheumy nurse! I thought my situation was bad but realise now it's no worse than yours and I'm fortunately not in nearly so much pain as you describe. Poor you. I think Helix is right to suggest you go back to your GP and push them until they give you something to help. That's what I do because they are the ones responsible for managing our pain. You should be offered all the things that HH (Polly) mentions above at least! If your GP doesn't oblige then suggest you look elsewhere for a rheumy service because that really sounds bad. I don't have a rheumy nurse but I live on a Scottish island and this is one of the drawbacks. You should be getting and totally deserve better treatment. TTx

thanxs every body for your feed back im taking methotrexate x 6 and celebrex and losec for the pain which it dont touch so as everyone knows gave me tramadol...........................dont no if its fate but just had a phone call while writing this and it was the r/a nurse got an appointment next week perhaps she reads these blogs as well....lol roll on next week its been great writing this down it does help talking to people who understand thanxs

Fab news about your appointment , get the list of questions ready for them so you don't forget to ask, put on extra things like physio referral and occupational therapy and podiatry as these appointment do take forever so they might as well be in the system as early as possible> i say that cos i didn't know about the wait for them and thought the Rheumy team would be able to move things quickly, but i did just get put in line and i think if i could have had it sooner for example phsio i would have helped. Good luck, let us know how it goes

Axx