Rheumy app yesterday

jordan7j

Hi all, well had my app yesterday, saw a junior doctor who was very helpful and explained everything to me, which the consultant last time didnt bother to do. He examined my feet ankles hips and hands. He said my feet and ankles are very swollen, which is probably due to my job. My hips are becoming very painful at night which keeps me awake and makes it difficult to get up at 5.45 for work. My hands are also getting worse, I have a splint for night time, but find it very uncomortable, and its difficult to wear it during the day as I have to change nappies et., He called in his seniors who decided to put up my MXT to 12.5mg a week, and to take paracetemol with the tramadol and ibuprofen, cant see this helping much, but we'll see. I also had a steroid injection, which has to be repeated once a month for 3 months. Was hoping for more advice on pain relief, and even on work problems, as I am finding harder and harder to cope. I also asked about working splints, but was told they dont have them, as people wear the others during the day if necessary. Feeling a bit fed up now, fed up with constant pain in feet which never goes even with painkillers, and very tired all the time. Sorry to moan, but it makes me feel better!!! Hope everyone is doing ok x Jay

joyful164

Hi
I also use to have extremely painful feet until I went to the chinese girl who runs a nail parlour.
I had two pedicures there and each time, after a long soak in the foot bath, she put me feet and ankles through a very thorough rub and massage, got all the dead skin off my feet,
It has been 2 weeks now since I saw her and all the swelling has gone and my feet seem to be a size smaller. Bought a pair of size 5 sandels instead of 6 yesterday.
My feet do hurt if I have been walking a long way and also sometimes with the weight of the bed clothes at night, but they are better.
And I swear by my TEN's machine. Brilliant
I also have splints. Large ones for night and small ones for day.
You can get soft splits. See if you can get referral to Occupational Health.
joy

debatat

Hi, sounds like a good rheumy appt. Once the steroid jab takes effect, you should have less pain. Also once the higher mtx dose kicks in and you have better disease control the pain should lessen.

You need advise for help at work, do you have an occy health? You could try DIAL or CAB to find out what adjustments you are entitled to. Maybe a chat with your manager would help? Or oyu could post in the working forum for someone who knows more about this to advise you.

You could also ask for a referral to OT to see what adaptions such as splints etc they could give you, and a pain clinic can help to sort out your pain. A lot of appts I know, but we deserve the best quality of life.

Rest up to give the steroid jab the best chance of working. Hope it helps.
DEB x

josiec

Hi, I can sympathise with ongoing foot pain-have it myself. About the splints, though - my might ones are very different from the day ones-I couldn't do anything with my night splints on! They do take some getting used to, and I don't wear them every night but do find they can help with pain during the day. One of the most useful appointments I ever had was with the occupational therapist - she did all my splints and had lots of useful advice - I would definatelt recommend looking into that. All the best, Josie

page35

Hi Jay
i work with kids to and im affaid changing nappies with bad hands does just hurt
but as others have said try to see an OT my one was great
do you have sort comfy shoes? i put extra insoles in mine too.
hopefully now youve upped the mxt you will start to feel a bit better
best wishes
page

ritwren

OT gave me special splints to wear during the day to help my hands and wrists, they're different to the ones I'm supposed to wear at night.
I've had steroid injection into my foot and an overall one which was given into the muscle. I think they helped too. Increasing your MTX should eventually help with disease management too. If you don't get any good pain relief, I'd go back to see your GP and ask him to prescribe something else.
With regard to work, as someone else says occy health may be able to help you there, failing this perhaps speak to CAB and ask them if there is anything that can be done. Very best of luck, do let us know how you do.