Does RA or OA get worse if you are ill?

Mel J

Every member of my family before me has (or had) either RA, OA or both. My mum has been in a chair since she was 50 ish. I am 38 with 3 kids & work full time as a nurse. I have always taken exercise, eaten healthy & used supplements (that cost a fortune). I'm 8.5 stone, 5'2".

I think despite this I have arthritis. I daren't see my doc coz of my job. I have joint pain in my left thumb & wrist, lower back, left hip, left knee and both ankles.

I am in bed with the rotovirus at present & I'm in agony. I have noticed over the last few years that all my joint pain multiplies greatly when I'm ill, & appears in other joints that don't usual give me much pain. It doesn't matter what the illness is (cold, flu, gastritis, laryngitis to name some), the pain always comes. I get forced into lying in a feral potion at these times as I can hardly straighten my legs. Can arthritis do this when you are under the weather?

Any help would be wonderful, I'm fearing for my career. If it helps any I studied ballet from 2-16 yrs & rode my horse everyday as a teen.

dorcas

Hi melj and welcome to the forum from me too although I'm sorry you are feeling so worried and unwell at the moment :?

You didn't say whether you yourself had a diagnosis of OA or RA?
I don't have a precise answer to whether OA worsens when you have another illness on top, sorry... but from my own experience I know that if I have any illness then my joints do feel worse too. Maybe it's the added inflammation? I have PA (psoriatic arthritis).

Living with the worry of arthritis can make us feel isolated... so it is good that you have found the forum! there is also a 'Working Matters' Forum where you could post questions you might have about work and having arthritis.

As del said... there aren't many of us about just yet as we all get logged back into the new system. but I'm sure that others will post once they're back on.
nice to meet you....

Iris x

valval

hi melj
my doc says the time of the month makes arther worse so being ill might as well val

coco67

hi melj and welcome

i have oa, polyarthralgia, and possible fibromyralgia. when im ill every thing hurts x 10. i usually say ive been hit by a truck on those days. so it is possible.

i hope to see you posting in the chit chat forum where we have a cafe and a pub. there are loads of great peeps in here and they will all filter back in over the next day or two so stick aroud.

coco xx

annie_mial

Hi Melj, and welcome........I'd say that if you are unwell for any other reason, then the joints are going to feel worse because you are low.

I know if I get a cold I feel generally worse all over!

Annie

hileena111

Hi Mel,
Welcome to the forum...yes I think OA does get worse temp. when you are ill.....Have you had a diagnosis of OA or RA or are you self diagnosing LOL Sometimes nurses are the worst people when they are ill.....speaking from experience....I'm a qualifed RNMS..reg nurse for mentally subnormal.....I think it is now RNLD {learning difficulties}
but its still a 3 yr course and we do try to self diagnose.
{Thats personal experience} I fyou havent had a dianosis I think you should and then take it from there......as someone mentioned there is also the working forum

Love
Hileena

dreamdaisy

RA/PA are caused by over-active immune systems, so the treatment thereof takes the form of having the immune system dialled down in order to stop the body attacking itself. I am on a number of immunosuppressants but my PA ignores those and fires up anyway (I am currently flaring tho not ill with anything else).

It would make sense to me for RA to feel worse if you have an infection, as the immune system will be active in trying to fight the bug. I wasn't sure from your post what form of arthritis you think you have but I am not sure if OA would react in the same way as its cause is different. A bug would affect one's ability to cope with the pain etc however, so yes, I guess that could feel worse too. Arthritis does have a strong genetic link and one's stature/weight is immaterial. I hope you feel better soon. DD

speedalong

Hi Mel and welcome,

I have OA and it definitely feels worse when I'm ill (or tired) I think this is because at these times my tolerance and threshold to pain lowers.

I think you should seek a diagnosis - if you have arthritis it will affect you whether you chose to ignore it or not and if you do have RA you need to start treatment asap to prevent joint damage. I know seeking a diagnosis is scary, but at least you will know what you are dealing with or even have your mind put to rest.

Speedy

woodbine

Hi MelJ

I'm exactly the same height and weight as you, but a little bit older at 41. I have multiple joint OA, as does my mum. We both find that we ache more if we have anything else wrong - especially if it's viral. I've been told that this may be because you get extra fluid in joints (and possibly muscles) when you have a virus, which puts pressure on already tender joints.

Have you thought about having a word with your union if you're concerned about your job - there are so many complicated rules as to employers duty to make adjustments, etc, and the union might be able to suggest something helpful. Also, not geting a diagnosis and any available treatment - even if only anti-inflamatories or painkillers to help relax muscles or reduce pain to a level at which you can work more easily might only make things worse or cause more damage, so you might have to give up or reduce working even sooner.
Sorry you are in so much pain, and in such a difficult situation with your career - it must be extra difficult with such a physically demanding job - hope you feel better soon,

Naomi

frogmorton

Hi Melj

welcome to teh forums from me

I reckon you might be making a mistake not getting checked out - if it is RA then you probably know you are risking damage to your joints.

I agree with whoever suggested that you see the union before telling work. i understand the fear of having a label, but theses days it is not so easy to sack you just because you have a disability.

I also heard that the time of the month can make things more painful

Love

toni xx