Possible Rheumatoid arthritis

[sunshineisbetter]

Today I’ve been prescribed a short course of steroids by the GP for possible Rheumatoid arthritis.

My hands are really bad today…..lost my sense of touch but have had tingling and swelling in my hands for 3 days now. I also have slightly swollen toes.

My glands are up and my throat feels gravelly/ lumpy and just generally wiped out.

I have been getting the tingling on and off for a few months now.

All these symptoms are frightening me a little. A year ago I was 5 stone lighter and exercising 3-4 times a week.

Now just a busy couple of days completely wipes me out and I’ve handed in my notice for my job as it’s too much.

Will things improve with medication?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Looking at previous posts you really need to get FULL thyroid and vitamin testing done

Have you had thyroid antibodies, vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 levels tested ….if not request tested …ideally BEFORE starting on steroids

Steroids likely to reduce TSH

All thyroid tests should be done as early as possible in morning before eating or drinking anything other than water

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Just seen this older post

You already know you have Hashimoto’s

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Presumably you have been supplementing since to improve low vitamin D and folate

Request thyroid levels are retested by GP BEFORE starting on steroids

Have you tried strictly gluten free diet yet

[sunshineisbetter in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes doing all those things x

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to sunshineisbetter]

So can you get GP to retest thyroid levels?

[sunshineisbetter in reply to SlowDragon]

Last tested end of may so probably not

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to sunshineisbetter]

Then you will need to wait 6-8 weeks minimum after stopping steroids before retesting thyroid levels

[Anthea55]

Another thing worth looking into is food intolerances. Several years ago I was beginning to get joint problems. I decided to get tested for food intolerances. After about 2 or 3 months without the offending foods my joints were much improved and also I was pleased to find that I no longer had the indigestion which had plagued me as long as I could remember.

Worth a try.