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Rheumatoid Arthritis

Anyone on here suffer with this?

Any advice, tips etc?
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Comments

  • It's a bastard, mate. My sister - five years younger than me - suffers with it badly. It just flared up out of nowhere.

    Some days she can hardly move and she's on a cocktail of drugs together with a regular infusion administered at hospital which takes some hours (but does seem to provide some relief). In addition as it's an autoimmune disease, and some of the drugs try to combat this, she's really susceptible to picking up other problems. She recently had a bout of sepsis which put her in hospital for a week.

    She's also looking more and more like Madge from Benidorm.....

    Make sure all the available benefits are checked out. For example, the critical illness cover on her mortgage paid out (eventually -she was just going to stop paying the insurance premium until I forced her to read the policy wording carefully and helped her with the claim), she gets full PIP and is also in receipt of an ill-health pension.

    On the plus side, the mobility scooter is fun to borrow and the blue badge parking is great.
  • Not had Rheumatoid, although I was treated for it for a while back in the UK, but gout over the years has ruined the joints in my legs and I find swimming helps or, if you can't swim, just woving round in water. Not that I've had the time to go for a while
  • Certain foods trigger attacks. Worth keeping a food diary.
  • Yep me, going to hospital next week.
    No idea what they are going to do but currently its agony, I'm hoping they will give me some sort of operation/jab I can't even hold a pen let alone swing a hammer. Its in my hand and wrist after Bailey broke it in a training accident after X-rays they found a broken/repaired bone in my hand and the arthritis had set in. On bad days my right hand is virtually useless (steady @DaveMehmet) ;)
  • My mum’s had it for about 25 years, it’s a bastard.

    Took her a long time to get the right balance of medication and still has regular flare ups that take it out of her.

    I’ve been looking into stair lifts and other aids for her but she’s so bloody stubborn and insists she doesn’t want to look like an old lady (which she is)
  • My Dad and my brother suffer from it in their necks, with fibromyalgia (sp?). Both on a combination of drugs. No idea what advice they have been given but can find out if you like?
  • You should try to get an appointment to see a specialist consultant at your nearest Hospital.

    You might be offered Cortisone or steroid injections. If you decline then you can go onto Painkillers Non steroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers.

    Another option would be Acupuncture which used to be freely available through a GP so maybe consider this as well. If you go private then once a week should be enough.

    Swimming is good if you can manage it.

    Change of diet might ease some of the pain.

    Alcohol. Ask ?

  • My youngest diagnosed last December- she was 17 at the time. Since then, a combination of drugs and physio - the consultant reckons could completely reduce symptoms and put it into remission. No sign of this yet though blood tests showing the inflammation is reducing. Stress can cause things to flare up - she's just finished her A levels. Hoping a good rest over the summer will assist with the reduction of symptoms. Scarily, the meds can cause side effects and damage eyes and other organs so although this is rare, she has had to have chest X-rays and an eye test. Really hoping the symptoms reduce and even disappear as it already has been difficult for her, and seems a bastard to cope with at such a young age.
  • I have Ankylosing spondylitis and take Adalimumab injections and painkillers when it’s bad (most days). The injections wipe out my immune system so I’m susceptible to picking up every bug going
  • Thanks all, interesting.

    I had a problem with my shoulder 2-3 years ago and the X-ray showed the joint had completely eroded. At the same time I started to get swelling in my knuckles of my two little fingers, and this has never gone down. blood test at the time indicated I may have rheumatoid arthritis.

    I had cortisone injection in my shoulder but that only numbed it for two months. About a year later the pain my shoulder started to subside, which I put down to doing some light weights strengthening the ligaments around the joint. Since then I’ve pain in the other shoulder joint (which again has subsided) and have woke up in pain with my hip every day for last six months.

    Have put off going back to docs because I hate going docs and also hopeful the hip would subside like the shoulders. But last week I’ve had a flare up in one of my little fingers and it’s been bloody agony. Only had pain before with them if I’ve caught them.

    Going to have to go back, though I want to avoid meds like the plague. Just wondered if anyone found any diet rules. Lifestyle stuff, vitamins / supplements proved any help.
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  • edited June 2018
    I have it.
    No advice as I know every case is different.
    Have been diagnoised at the age of 54 (4 years ago), but symptoms started a while before.
    Mornings can be terrible and depressing as you feel useless with no way out of it.
    But compared with others I am lucky.
    Seeing a good rheumatologist and treating every miracle cure statement/advice with a bucket of salt is a must.
    The only thing that works for me and may do for you, is knowing you are not alone (reading this thread is already helping me a bit) , and being believed as we all look so fucking normal...
    Thank you for bringing it up and Good luck mate
  • My sister suffers from it... good and bad days... bad days are bad though.. she’s in her late 30s
  • When I went private I saw Dr Coakly at blackheath and still see him now at QE where he is the head of Rheumatology and highly recommend him
  • When I went private I saw Dr Coakly at blackheath and still see him now at QE where he is the head of Rheumatology and highly recommend him

    He is very good, helped me a lot when at QE.
  • edited June 2018
    My mum has had it for 40 odd years. I have lost touch with the amount of joint replacements she has had. Now in her 70’s she fights it with extraordinary courage, resilience and without ever moaning or whinging.

    Despite her constant pain and struggles she keeps herself more active than many healthy people her age and I think that helps in many ways, not least that I suspect she would be near enough wheel chair bound if she did not and instead she is walking around the remote Scottish Isles at the moment.

    Guys hospital is a fantastic resource and expertise on this and one of the best in the world I am told.

    Good luck to all those on here who have this shit illness.
  • Thanks all, interesting.

    I had a problem with my shoulder 2-3 years ago and the X-ray showed the joint had completely eroded. At the same time I started to get swelling in my knuckles of my two little fingers, and this has never gone down. blood test at the time indicated I may have rheumatoid arthritis.

    I had cortisone injection in my shoulder but that only numbed it for two months. About a year later the pain my shoulder started to subside, which I put down to doing some light weights strengthening the ligaments around the joint. Since then I’ve pain in the other shoulder joint (which again has subsided) and have woke up in pain with my hip every day for last six months.

    Have put off going back to docs because I hate going docs and also hopeful the hip would subside like the shoulders. But last week I’ve had a flare up in one of my little fingers and it’s been bloody agony. Only had pain before with them if I’ve caught them.

    Going to have to go back, though I want to avoid meds like the plague. Just wondered if anyone found any diet rules. Lifestyle stuff, vitamins / supplements proved any help.

    I have a friend here who suffers badly, medical care here is simply awful(including fake drugs and HAVING to bribe doctors) so he also avoids the doctor just like you.

    He started swimming daily and really increased his intake of fruit, it still affects him on a daily basis but it's much better than it was.
  • edited July 2018

    Thanks all, interesting.

    I had a problem with my shoulder 2-3 years ago and the X-ray showed the joint had completely eroded. At the same time I started to get swelling in my knuckles of my two little fingers, and this has never gone down. blood test at the time indicated I may have rheumatoid arthritis.

    I had cortisone injection in my shoulder but that only numbed it for two months. About a year later the pain my shoulder started to subside, which I put down to doing some light weights strengthening the ligaments around the joint. Since then I’ve pain in the other shoulder joint (which again has subsided) and have woke up in pain with my hip every day for last six months.

    Have put off going back to docs because I hate going docs and also hopeful the hip would subside like the shoulders. But last week I’ve had a flare up in one of my little fingers and it’s been bloody agony. Only had pain before with them if I’ve caught them.

    Going to have to go back, though I want to avoid meds like the plague. Just wondered if anyone found any diet rules. Lifestyle stuff, vitamins / supplements proved any help.

    Swimming works for me. I've also had problems with both shoulders. Shoulders are a little better now though wrists and elbows are a constant problem. The only medication I take is Plaquenil (spelling probably incorrect) which is very mild entry level Rheumatoid medication. I do all I can to stay off the heavier stuff by taking very strong curcumin tablets daily (turmeric, natural anti inflammatory). I'm not in remission, but keeping the pain at a slightly lower level.
    Mornings are always tough...
    When making any lifestyle changes, give it at least 3 months before deciding if it works.
    And if it does, share it...
    Good luck mate.
  • Thanks guys for all your responses, Good insight (and got me slightly fearful!)
  • Sorry to hear this but go and see a doctor ASAP and get a referral to a specialist. You'll feel better for acting and doing something even if you don't like doctors.

    Swimming is good for the osteoarthritis in my knees btw.
  • Agree with Henry. I was diagnosed with rheumatoid by my GP. Drugs really not helping. Saw a specialist at Guys who said it was something called psoriac (spelling) arthritis and prescribed different drugs that severely limit alcohol intake; but the arthritis has now been in remission for some time.
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  • I have RA. Like most people it is worse in the Morning. I have a strict exercise regime which helps. Also one of my knees is shot from playing football over thirty years. I won’t take diclofenic anymore after reading of the side effects. You just have to get on with life and try to ignore the pain.
  • Best thing is make a plan with your Rheumatologist. Mine is very honest about choices of therapy, and willing to go with my preferences.
    And don't feel like the choices are only between pain and nasty medication.

  • Thanks all, interesting.

    I had a problem with my shoulder 2-3 years ago and the X-ray showed the joint had completely eroded. At the same time I started to get swelling in my knuckles of my two little fingers, and this has never gone down. blood test at the time indicated I may have rheumatoid arthritis.

    I had cortisone injection in my shoulder but that only numbed it for two months. About a year later the pain my shoulder started to subside, which I put down to doing some light weights strengthening the ligaments around the joint. Since then I’ve pain in the other shoulder joint (which again has subsided) and have woke up in pain with my hip every day for last six months.

    Have put off going back to docs because I hate going docs and also hopeful the hip would subside like the shoulders. But last week I’ve had a flare up in one of my little fingers and it’s been bloody agony. Only had pain before with them if I’ve caught them.

    Going to have to go back, though I want to avoid meds like the plague. Just wondered if anyone found any diet rules. Lifestyle stuff, vitamins / supplements proved any help.

    Speak to a nutritionist, they will be able to give you good dietary advice, also take 1500 mg of glucosamibe and 500 mg of chondriotin daily plus 1000 mg of cod liver oil.

    If you need it i can advise a good nutritionist in the dulwich area. PM me if needed.
  • Had it for over 10 years, fortunately my wonderfull GP sent me to St Thomas's who have the best rheumatology department in the country.

    As a result I take a Methotrexate tablet once a week which keeps me 100% free of the problem.
  • Had it for over 10 years, fortunately my wonderfull GP sent me to St Thomas's who have the best rheumatology department in the country.

    As a result I take a Methotrexate tablet once a week which keeps me 100% free of the problem.

    How long before the methotrexate kicked in? My daughter been on this since January and while blood tests show "improvement" she still is reporting sore joints, and a badly swollen finger joint.
  • My gran sufferred, decades ago, and swore by copper insoles and bracelets.
  • Walt said:

    Agree with Henry. I was diagnosed with rheumatoid by my GP. Drugs really not helping. Saw a specialist at Guys who said it was something called psoriac (spelling) arthritis and prescribed different drugs that severely limit alcohol intake; but the arthritis has now been in remission for some time.

    I've got this too - at the moment it's in one finger, my wrist and my big toe. Bloody painful and pretty arse as I work outdoors.

    I find putting a bag of frozen peas on for 20 mins or so helps a bit. Have taken anti inflammatories from time to time but then got stomach problems so try and limit them. I'd be interested if anyone has found diet stuff that works.
  • Had it for over 10 years, fortunately my wonderfull GP sent me to St Thomas's who have the best rheumatology department in the country.

    As a result I take a Methotrexate tablet once a week which keeps me 100% free of the problem.

    How long before the methotrexate kicked in? My daughter been on this since January and while blood tests show "improvement" she still is reporting sore joints, and a badly swollen finger joint.
    From memory about 6-8 weeks before it kicked in properly.

    I also take folic acid tabs the day before which lessons any adverse side effects (with me that's usually a few hours not far from a loo!).

    Hope that helps.

    Maybe try and get your daughter referred to St Thomas's, they really have a superb team there.

  • Walt said:

    Agree with Henry. I was diagnosed with rheumatoid by my GP. Drugs really not helping. Saw a specialist at Guys who said it was something called psoriac (spelling) arthritis and prescribed different drugs that severely limit alcohol intake; but the arthritis has now been in remission for some time.

    Psoriatic arthritis @Walt? It's related to the skin condition psoriasis, although apparently the arthritis sometimes manifests itself before the skin condition does.
  • Had it for over 10 years, fortunately my wonderfull GP sent me to St Thomas's who have the best rheumatology department in the country.

    As a result I take a Methotrexate tablet once a week which keeps me 100% free of the problem.

    How long before the methotrexate kicked in? My daughter been on this since January and while blood tests show "improvement" she still is reporting sore joints, and a badly swollen finger joint.
    From memory about 6-8 weeks before it kicked in properly.

    I also take folic acid tabs the day before which lessons any adverse side effects (with me that's usually a few hours not far from a loo!).

    Hope that helps.

    Maybe try and get your daughter referred to St Thomas's, they really have a superb team there.

    Thanks, she's on folic acid too and something else, the name of which escapes me at the moment.

    We are in Worcestershire so under the care of the RA team at Worcester hospital.
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