New and needs some help..

joanneredshaw

Hi eveyone!

I have joined this morning as I had a quiet cry to myself and felt I needed some support.
I have recently felt like I cannot carrying on at work, I find walking around to schools exhausting. My ankles swell up so much and I feel exhausted on a daily basis. I am wondering whether to reduce my working hours to 3 a day instead of 5. I work in a secondary school as a special needs T. A.
My hands and wrists are so swollen even though I take Methotrixate on a monday and 4 sulphusalazine a day. Plus 2-3 diclofenac as well. All I can have is paracetamol as I have high blood pressure. Ibruprofen reacts with the betablocker that I take.
I have wrist and hand sprints which do help, but doesn't stop the swelling.
I have an appointment with the Doctor this afternoon as I need some help. Can't carrying on with these swollen hands, wrists and feet.
Any advice would be great, as well as what could I claim if I reduce my hours?


Jo :?

Wonkylegs

HI Jo,

so sorry to hear that you are finding life a struggle right now - it is never easy with arthritis in tow, but some situations do make things more tricky don't they :roll:

As a former teacher (primary) I do know what you mean about work being a struggle - and even more so when you have a flare.

I presume you have seen an OT since you mention hand and wrist splints, but if not they would be able to advise you on any adaptations to your work situation that might help.

Also, if it is particularly work that you are struggling with, I believe you can contact Access to Work through the jobcentres, and get a workplace assessment for adjusments to make life easier for you. I haven't done this myself (didn't know about it until after I stopped work :roll: ) but others have mentioned it quite a bit on the working matters forum.

I can't help about benefits, but if you ring the Arthritis care helplines (number at the top of this page) then they might be able to point you in the right direction.

hope that helps a bit.

hugs
Wonky

PS - just read your post again ....I do hope you don't take Methotrexate every day :shock: :shock: please only take it once a week or you'll be very ill :shock:

joanneredshaw

Wonkylegs wrote:

HI Jo,

so sorry to hear that you are finding life a struggle right now - it is never easy with arthritis in tow, but some situations do make things more tricky don't they :roll:

As a former teacher (primary) I do know what you mean about work being a struggle - and even more so when you have a flare.

I presume you have seen an OT since you mention hand and wrist splints, but if not they would be able to advise you on any adaptations to your work situation that might help.

Also, if it is particularly work that you are struggling with, I believe you can contact Access to Work through the jobcentres, and get a workplace assessment for adjusments to make life easier for you. I haven't done this myself (didn't know about it until after I stopped work :roll: ) but others have mentioned it quite a bit on the working matters forum.

I can't help about benefits, but if you ring the Arthritis care helplines (number at the top of this page) then they might be able to point you in the right direction.

hope that helps a bit.

hugs
Wonky

PS - just read your post again ....I do hope you don't take Methotrexate every day :shock: :shock: please only take it once a week or you'll be very ill :shock:

Hi

Thanks for your reply, it's lovely to talk to someone. Yes I do only take Methotrixate once a week.
I have spoken to an adviser this morning, they are sending me details on what I can claim etc.

Thanks Jo

valval

hi jo so sorry to hear this it so unfair when you have a job you enjoy that your body does not want you to carry on with it see what your doc has to say i do not claim any benifits so can not help with that but you can always try cab they should know what you can get and from where from good luck we are here if you feel down again do not change hours till you have to you could loose money or benifits if you do check it out first good luck val

sharmaine

Hi Joanne

Sorry to hear that you're feeling a bit low. It can't be easy trying to work when you're having problems with walking etc. Your post reminded me of how I was feeling four years ago. I worked in a school too which was based in the city - it was a bit of a commute for me and eventually it proved too much and I resigned. If my job was a bit nearer to home I would have asked to work a shorter week and I may have carried on a bit longer.

I have not worked since May 2008 and leaving was the best thing I did. I had time to visit my GP and she told me I was suffering from fatigue - I have OA in both knees. Since then OA has taken hold in my hands and I think in my shoulders (will know for sure after I see the specialist next month). I've had a TKR and I'm waiting for another one.

I think what I'm trying to say is that only you know how you feel and I was thankful that I had a supportive husband who encouraged me to leave work. We've managed to cope on his wage - in fact life has proved so much easier now that I'm at home. Now when I'm not feeling well I can have a rest - it has been kind of nice not to have to answer to anyone.

Welcome to the group and I hope you make the right decision to maybe cut down on your days. I'm sure you'll feel better for it.

Regards and best wishes.

Sharmaine

joanneredshaw wrote:

Hi eveyone!

I have joined this morning as I had a quiet cry to myself and felt I needed some support.
I have recently felt like I cannot carrying on at work, I find walking around to schools exhausting. My ankles swell up so much and I feel exhausted on a daily basis. I am wondering whether to reduce my working hours to 3 a day instead of 5. I work in a secondary school as a special needs T. A.
My hands and wrists are so swollen even though I take Methotrixate on a monday and 4 sulphusalazine a day. Plus 2-3 diclofenac as well. All I can have is paracetamol as I have high blood pressure. Ibruprofen reacts with the betablocker that I take.
I have wrist and hand sprints which do help, but doesn't stop the swelling.
I have an appointment with the Doctor this afternoon as I need some help. Can't carrying on with these swollen hands, wrists and feet.
Any advice would be great, as well as what could I claim if I reduce my hours?


Jo :?

dreamdaisy

I'm a teacher too, but I am very thankful that I work from home and can tailor my hours to suit. I have PA (psoriatic arthritis) which has spread wonderfully well over the past 18 months or so. My knees were the first target, now it inlcudes toes, ankles, sacro-iliac joints and when I flare my hands, shoulders and neck. I am on humira, meth, sulpha, naproxen and steroids for the arthritis, and omeprazole (stoamch protector), co-codamol (pain relief) and docusate (constipation). The doc has also put me back on BP meds as mine has gone up, thanks to the humira and steroids. High BP shouldn't preclude decent pain relief.

The on-going pain is very hard to cope with sometimes - I think you said paracetamol is what you currently have but I don't think that has enough clout. There are alternatives which you could discuss with your doc, and a stomach protector might also help, but he would be the one to advise you about that. If you could reduce your hours then that would help, and also make sure you get enough rest. These conditions are so draining, decent rest is essential. You have come to the right place - we know our stuff and I am glad you found us. If I have any further thoughts I'll come back. DD

Rainbow77

Hi.

Sorry to read through your post. You are having a really rough time of it. Work can be a real problem and as a former teacher I know how hard it is at the start of term to get all the children, classes etc back into a routine. It is exhausting for a normal, healthy person.

Don't make any decision in haste about shortening your hours, cutting don etc until you have seem what the school can do to help.

Do you work in a primary or secondary school? You mention walking around the school is difficult. Have you spoken to your line manager, senco etc about the problems you hare having at the moment. Perhaps they would be able to change some things to help.

You may need to take some time off to rest up and get your condition under control and better pain relief. Sometimes we soldier on and it does us more harm in the long term. Could you change your hours so you go in later or finish earlier. Could you stay in the special needs room and children come to you instead of you following them around school? Or perhaps could you sit down in the classroom that you are supporting and children come to you. Teachers use this when they are shattered and call children up if they put their hand up.

I am glad you have been in contact with the help line team - they are fantastic.

Take care

Fayann xx

amboritic

I would never advise anybody to try and push through their symptoms, I tried to carry on at work, but my knees would swell up, my feet would swell up as would my wrists.

Who knows how much damage I have done by trying to carry on as normal.

Though when on sulfa for a month or so, 2000mg a day, my CRP was still over 50, when I mentioned to the rheumy that my back really hurt when I was carrying a patient he seems a bit surprised, he didn't realise that we still had to lug patients up and down stairs, he rightly assumed we would have chairs that supported the weight when going down stairs, one reason why my Trust got in trouble with the HSE over manual handling.

speedalong

Hi Joanne and welcome,

I teach children with special needs in a small primary school and even with shorter corridors than yours I find it a very physical job.

You have been offered lots of good advice already.

I'm off work at the moment as I had a hip op but am returning at half term ... my brain is ready, but I'm dreading aching and being exhausted.

I work a 4 day week these days and that has helped ... if I could afford it (I would consider 3 days ..) work life balance and all that.

Speedy

joanneredshaw

speedalong wrote:

Hi Joanne and welcome,

I teach children with special needs in a small primary school and even with shorter corridors than yours I find it a very physical job.

You have been offered lots of good advice already.

I'm off work at the moment as I had a hip op but am returning at half term ... my brain is ready, but I'm dreading aching and being exhausted.

I work a 4 day week these days and that has helped ... if I could afford it (I would consider 3 days ..) work life balance and all that.

Speedy

Hi Speedy

Thanks for replying, I have been to the doctors and I have been signed off for 2 weeks. I think she could see how low I felt. Everyones responses have been wonderful. I have tried to manage for so long and not put myself first. I do feel exhausted mentally and physically and quite emotional.
Evenings are particularly bad for me, my ankles swell so much and ache like hell. I wasn't enformed about fatigue and I have been diagnosed for 4 years with RA. I have fell asleep a number of times after coming home from work and since starting back in September I have been really tired every day. I work four days in a busy secondary school and support children mostly with ASD, dyslexia and dyspraxia. Not sure I spelt them correctly. lol.

Hope to hear from you soon and good luck with your recovery

Jo

sharmaine

Hi Dreamdaisy

Just reading your post about where your arthritis started sounds like a similar tale to mine ..my OA started in my knees, then fingers, toes, now shoulders. When I complain about my other aches my GP generally says it's probably OA but how do they know if they don't do tests? I agree with you that on-going pain is tough to cope with. I'm amazed that you're still working!

Take care.
Sharmaine

Totally agree with DD about rest - learn to listen to your body and don't push things when you're feeling low it's just not worth it.
Keep going back to your GP too if the pain gets too much or if you can't sleep well at night.

Take care and hope to see more of you on the site!

Regards
Sharmaine

joanneredshaw

dreamdaisy wrote:

I'm a teacher too, but I am very thankful that I work from home and can tailor my hours to suit. I have PA (psoriatic arthritis) which has spread wonderfully well over the past 18 months or so. My knees were the first target, now it inlcudes toes, ankles, sacro-iliac joints and when I flare my hands, shoulders and neck. I am on humira, meth, sulpha, naproxen and steroids for the arthritis, and omeprazole (stoamch protector), co-codamol (pain relief) and docusate (constipation). The doc has also put me back on BP meds as mine has gone up, thanks to the humira and steroids. High BP shouldn't preclude decent pain relief.

The on-going pain is very hard to cope with sometimes - I think you said paracetamol is what you currently have but I don't think that has enough clout. There are alternatives which you could discuss with your doc, and a stomach protector might also help, but he would be the one to advise you about that. If you could reduce your hours then that would help, and also make sure you get enough rest. These conditions are so draining, decent rest is essential. You have come to the right place - we know our stuff and I am glad you found us. If I have any further thoughts I'll come back. DD

Hi Dream Daisy

Thanks for your reply, It's been lovely reading everyones kind messages. I have been signed off for 2 weeks to rest. They will take my blood in the morning and see if I can have a steriod injection. The only thing is my blood results don't always reflect how swollen I am. I never have any relief from my swollen hands, wrists and ankles. Even though the methotrixate has been increased to 6 tablets on a monday.

I will talk to my Senco shortly and re think my hours. It's the last hour i find so difficult. All the walking to and from classes is too much. We have amalgamated with the another school just across the field and all the faculties are spread over 2 sites. It's exhausting!

Thanks for your advice

Jo

dreamdaisy

Do you use any support when walking? I cannot walk without crutches now as my knees and ankles and toes balloon far too quickly: with the crutches they balloon much more slowly, so they do make a difference. I strongly recommend using a stick, or two, or crutches. It ain't glamorous - 'DD The Glamour Years' is a book destined to remain unwritten! DD

marion1952

Hi Joanne

Sorry to hear you are struggling at the moment.

You've been given some good advice already, so there's not much more I can add.

I see you are on 15 mgs of methotrexate (ie 6 tablets). When did you increase to that dose? I am wondering if the increase has not started working as yet? Alternatively, if you've been on that dose for quite a while I wonder if an increase to 17.5 mgs would help??

You could definitely do without all that walking across the 2 sites!! What about trying a crutch or 2, as DD says?
I am still using one crutch occasionally as I've had a hip replacement and they are quite helpful.

Please keep posting and let us know how you get on.

Glad that you have got 2 weeks sick leave anyway.

Marion x

cebeem

Hi Joanne!
You sound like you are me!
T.A. tick
Arthritis hands + feet tick
Blood pressure..beta blockers tick
sulfasalazine tick

Not sure how long you have been taking all the meds..my consultant told me the sulfa after 3 months helped with the tiredness...and I think it did ...not as many wipe out days.

I take diclofenac and lanzaprosole and so far as I know they dont react with the Beta bocker.

You should get an assessment from Occ health see if they can adapt your environment or working day...e.g. no dinner or playtime duties to give you chance to recharge .
I left a job I really enjoyed thinking it was my only option to go for something less physically challenging.........If only I knew then what I know now..I would still be there.
Its a risky business wondering what you shouls do and what you might get (benefits wise) It looked like I would get nothing so I needed to carry on...went to mainstream rather than Special needs school...not too much difference in the end...although I dont get kicked and my hair pulled every day in mainstream ... but its not as mentally challenging either so I find that a bit mind numbing!

The ball is well and truly in your court..get Occ health involved and access to work and you may find a happy medium without drastic changes.

Dont make any rash decisions because you are tired...thats why there is a sickness scheme in place.
*CB*
P.S. in what way did the ibruprofen react with the beta blockers? I'm intrigued!!

joanneredshaw

cebeem wrote:

Hi Joanne!
You sound like you are me!
T.A. tick
Arthritis hands + feet tick
Blood pressure..beta blockers tick
sulfasalazine tick

Not sure how long you have been taking all the meds..my consultant told me the sulfa after 3 months helped with the tiredness...and I think it did ...not as many wipe out days.

I take diclofenac and lanzaprosole and so far as I know they dont react with the Beta bocker.

You should get an assessment from Occ health see if they can adapt your environment or working day...e.g. no dinner or playtime duties to give you chance to recharge .
I left a job I really enjoyed thinking it was my only option to go for something less physically challenging.........If only I knew then what I know now..I would still be there.
Its a risky business wondering what you shouls do and what you might get (benefits wise) It looked like I would get nothing so I needed to carry on...went to mainstream rather than Special needs school...not too much difference in the end...although I dont get kicked and my hair pulled every day in mainstream ... but its not as mentally challenging either so I find that a bit mind numbing!

The ball is well and truly in your court..get Occ health involved and access to work and you may find a happy medium without drastic changes.

Dont make any rash decisions because you are tired...thats why there is a sickness scheme in place.
*CB*
P.S. in what way did the ibruprofen react with the beta blockers? I'm intrigued!!

Hi, Cibeem thanks for your reply. It's bizarre that we are twins lol. The Ibruprofen stop the beta blockers from working. Although I have had to double up with parcetamol and Ibruprofen a couple of times because I had an infection in my gum under a crown and it was hell. The pain was so bad I had to use it. Mind you I passsed out anyway...

I won't make any rash decisions, just looking at options. I'm going to make sure my Boss is fully informed and keep going back to the Doctors if I need to.
I have only just had a month of 5 methotrixate and now increased to 6. Only just on second week of 6. But I really don't think it will help. My consultant is considering changing my meds altogether anyway. I have a check up in November if I make it till then.

Jo

joanneredshaw

Rainbow77 wrote:

Hi.

Sorry to read through your post. You are having a really rough time of it. Work can be a real problem and as a former teacher I know how hard it is at the start of term to get all the children, classes etc back into a routine. It is exhausting for a normal, healthy person.

Don't make any decision in haste about shortening your hours, cutting don etc until you have seem what the school can do to help.

Do you work in a primary or secondary school? You mention walking around the school is difficult. Have you spoken to your line manager, senco etc about the problems you hare having at the moment. Perhaps they would be able to change some things to help.

You may need to take some time off to rest up and get your condition under control and better pain relief. Sometimes we soldier on and it does us more harm in the long term. Could you change your hours so you go in later or finish earlier. Could you stay in the special needs room and children come to you instead of you following them around school? Or perhaps could you sit down in the classroom that you are supporting and children come to you. Teachers use this when they are shattered and call children up if they put their hand up.

I am glad you have been in contact with the help line team - they are fantastic.

Take care

Fayann xx

Thanks for you reply I will indeed talk to my Senco. It's nice that someone understands my situation. I wish I had joined earlier.

Thanks Jo

chris7

Hi Jo

Just seen you there needing hugs and wanted to add few here. ((( ))). I can't really add to the good advise you have been given but I do sympathise with the work issues as have had to reduce my hours over the years. Not sure if it would apply to you but I do get working tax credits which help. Hope you do get the practical and financial help you are entitled too and soon find the right combination of meds to best help. Don't feel alone with it all.
take care
Chris

joanneredshaw

chris7 wrote:

Hi Jo

Just seen you there needing hugs and wanted to add few here. ((( ))). I can't really add to the good advise you have been given but I do sympathise with the work issues as have had to reduce my hours over the years. Not sure if it would apply to you but I do get working tax credits which help. Hope you do get the practical and financial help you are entitled too and soon find the right combination of meds to best help. Don't feel alone with it all.
take care
Chris

Thanks Chris, it's been so nice to hear from everyone. I do get child tax credits, is that the same? I only do 22 hours a week, and that is 9 till 3.10 Tues to Friday.
I am sure I will get things sorted, thanks for your advice.

Jo

joanneredshaw

Hi to everyone and thank you for all your kind responses.

I do feel better after discussing my options and hearing your stories.

Had my bloods done today and noticed that last month my HB level was dropping below 11. Normally 12.5. I wonder if this sample will show it to be even lower.
Also my Doctor dicussed looking at my inflation markers before giving me a steriod injection. But my consultant had realised long ago that my blood results don't show the full extent of my swelling..

My consultant wouldn't hesitate to give me an injection, I went to the Doctors because it's a 40 minute trip to the Hospital and thats just driving there. Then there is £2.60 parking charge for 2 hrs!!!

On the positive side I spoke with the nurse about reducing my hours and she told me it would be a good idea and then to have my child tax credit reassessed and probably claim working tax credit also. I do feel relieved, just need to speak with my Boss, which isn't always easy... But I will give myself a week and then go in and have a chat with her.

Whilst in the Doctors I came over really tired and starting yawning constantly, I have had to go and lay down until I feel able to get up again... You would have thought I had been on the go all day.

Jo

frogmorton

Hi jo

very sorry I missed you yesterday :oops:

I am pleased to meet you and think you are having a rough time of it at the mo.

I can't add much as the others have said everything that I might have plus a bit more

I do hope that things will ease for you very soon and that you try that there jab when you get the chance.

Also no harm in seeing CAB to suss out the financial implications before you do anythi ng.

LOve and hugs

toni xx

tkachev

I missed you yesterday too. Just wanted to say welcome and I feel very emotional reading your post. I have 2 sons with ASD and they can be a handful and is such a responsible job with a lot of physical effort. It must be so hard for you. The school should make a few changes to help you but I know that is not always practical.Cutting down to 3 days if financially possible would be a chance to rest on some days.
Has anyone mentioned non-means tested Disability living allowance on this thread. It is always worth applying. It can be a baatle but worth it in the end. If you can apply you will get lots of help and advice on here,

Elizabeth