RA symptoms... is this normal please help

kezzad

Hey everyone, just wanted to ask a question... diagnosed with RA about 4 months ago have quite severe pain with no signs of let up on meth 12.5 (increasing every 2 weeks) and diclofenac 150mg a day (also take paracetemal and co-codamol and tramadol when i need it) I have extremely painful nodules on elbows, my shoulders are making a grinding sound when i move my arms, i have very swollen knees, nodules on my ankles which have appeared over the last week, very swollen fingers and wrists (with big lump on mone wrist) and GUESS WHAT every time i contact my Rheumy he says give it time and there is nothing i can do.....
been taking methx for about 8 weeks now

im 22 and really worried these symptoms will cause long term damage and should be treated but no one seems to take it seriously... am i just overreacting and everyone has these types of things or should they be sorted?

Please help!

calcass

Hi Kezzad

So sorry you're having a rough time at mo - I've had RA for a long time so know how frustrating the condition can be.
Unfortunately, finding the right treatment can take some time. On top of that it takes quite a while for a lot of the drugs to show full effects as they have to be allowed to build up in the body. So although it feels like nothing is changing it is a case of just being a little patient (easier said than done I know!)
For pain relief I would suggest hot baths, ice packs on sore bits (but no longer than 15 mins) and enquire about seeing an Occupational therapist and/or physio to help with joint support and trying to reduce damage to joints.

I hope this helps a little - I'm 34 and know how depressing the condition can get so please don't hesitate to ask for advice or feel free to have a rant!

Feel free to chat with me and I'll try and help if I can

Best wishes and take care
calcass

lindalegs

Hi Kezzad,

Sorry to say the symptoms you're experiencing are perfectly normal for RA and DON'T PANIC :shock: I know that's easy to say. When I first started with RA 23 years ago medication was very different and we didn't have the same treatment with Dmards, which as you know, help prevent the damage to joints.

My Ra is very aggressive and my joints badly damaged but it didn't happen over a few months, it happened over years.

8 weeks is only a short time for the Mtx to become effective and you need to be more patient. Help yourself by ice packs and hot baths, as have been suggested, keeping your joints moving and resting too - you'll find the right balance for you. Swimming, gentle exercises and movement in the pool are also beneficial but consult you GP first if you're unsure how far to go.

You are still early days with Ra and there is the greatest possibility that the nodules will go and the swellings reduce and become less painful.

Give yourself time and try not to stress yourself as it won't help your condition.

Hope this helps.

Luv Legs

woodbon

Hi, I don'e have RA, but I have OA. I know with ra and a lot of the arthritic conditions, it takes a while to get the medications right, so you feel the benifit. I hope you soon feel better. Love Sue

tamnwill

Hi there, ask your GP/rhumy if you can have some hydrotherapy located at your hospital. Also ask if you can have cortisone injections, there can be generalised jab in the bum or specific ones in particularly painful joints. I waited WAY too long before it was offered and the specific one put into my wrist enables me now after one day after the jab to have a totally normal functioning hand now 'thank god'. My advice is, don't be passive, write a letter to your consultant requesting these therapies, doesn't have to be long winded, just ask him/her to offer some interim support whilst you're waiting for the drugs to take affect. Good luck xx Tam

kezzad

thank you all for your help, i really am still getting to grips with things i suppose and i know its frustrating for everyone. I am just worried as i know how important it is to act fast with RA and i just feel like nothing is helping quick enough. it makes me feel better that pretty much everyone has gone through the same thing. on average i wonder how long it takes to get the disease under control for people like me who have it in all/most joints?
Thanks again, hope your all having a good weekend