6 months ago I was jogging.........

[mickyb]

6 months ago I was jogging....playing golf and a member of a health club....4 months ago I started to get a few achey joints..now i cant get my wallet out of my back pocket and Im living a life as a semi disabled person...Im being told that it looks like I have soriatic arthritis.......Has anybody else had this come on as sudden as this ?????

[Hidden]

Hi mickyb, I don't have psoriatic arthritis but I have ra which came on quite suddenly and very painfully. I don't know if you're on any treatment yet but I just want to say that since starting methotrexate my symptoms and pain are nothing like they used to be. I'm able to do the basics now like tying my laces and zipping up my jacket and give or take a few adjustments to life I'm getting on alright. I've actually put my name down to join a health club and am counting the months until they call me to go in. I don't know what treatment you're on but it's very early days and hopefully life will get better for you soon.

Paula x

[Hidden]

Hi Mickyb - similarly to Paula I was struggling with just about everything relating to hands, wrists and shoulders last year - to the point where I didn't even write any Xmas cards this Christmas because it hurt my knuckles too much putting pen to paper. Since the MTX kicked in - and then was added to by another DMARD called Hydroxichloraquine - I've been not only able to write but am now doing 30 minutes a day on the Nintendo Wii Fit and walking an average of 5 miles per day whenever I can find time and knees and ankles permit - which is not a lot on the time front but a lot on the joints permitting front.

So take hope please that you'll be playing golf and back in the health club given time and a positive attitude. In the meantime try not to let everything sieze up - joints need the support of muscles and so muscle wastage should be avoided where possible. Swimming is meant to be very good for both joints and muscles and gentle exercise such as tai chi etc can be very beneficial in the interim. If you can access physiotherapy I've found that very helpful indeed - especially for hand exercises and strengthening. Also paraffin wax baths can be bought online and can be very comforting when hands are throbbing - and also rubbing your hands with olive oil and then putting on latex gloves and wiggling them in hot water (I do this when I'm having to clean the bathrooms or do the washing up) really helps - it feels as if they are being oiled with 3-in-1 oil! TTX

[sciqueen]

Hi Mickyb

It does get better as soon as they get you on meds, it will ease. Unfortunately the meds can take up to 12 wks to work. Hopefully you will notice some benefits long before the 12 wks. You could ask for a steroid injection to help tide you over to when the meds kick in?

With meds you should never be as bad as how you are now, as they do help.

In the mean time try using hot or cold treatments (dipping your hands into warm or cold water etc.), to see if this offers some relief.

Hope you get some relief soon

Sci x

Ps when its controlled you should be able to carry on with your sporting activities, with some modifications, so don't give up hope

[2plus2]

Hi Mickyb,

I know how you feel, unfortunately it can take time for medication to work. Like others have said try the steroid injection I had two just to keep me moving while the meds were getting going. I feel your frustration and shock of the suddenness of it all. There are brilliant people on here when you need support and advice keep in touch. Lou

[helixhelix]

Yes, it can come on very suddenly. I had a few aches and pains for a while, but just thought it was age, and could still do everything but just a bit slower & stiffer. And then one day it went wild, and within the space of a few days I was virtually bedridden. It took a while for the meds to work, but now I'm back doing most of what I want to do which includes quite a lot of outdoor activity. So don't despair, chances are that you'll be back on your golf course soon. But I really support what Tilda says about trying to keep as flexible as you can in the meantime. Don't force things, as you can damage inflamed joints, but do a little bit of non-weight bearing exercises and stretches every day if you can. And try not to stay in the same place for hours, even if you just shuffle round your sofa from time to time it can really help. Good luck , but this is probably the worst bit and it will improve. Polly