Arthritis - lots of things...

Rainbow1981
Rainbow1981 Member Posts: 3
edited 19. Dec 2011, 22:31 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi, this is my first post.

I'm a 30 year old mother of 3 young children from Cardiff, age 2,5 and 6 years. I sometimes struggle to cope with the pain, and the daily tasks I have to do. I get very tired, and find pain hard to control.

Do other people have the same problems?

I am currently on 2000mg mycophenalate, and waiting to start Itanocept in the new year.

Do patients find swelling problematic, especially around the face? My jaw is also affected by arthritis. I look differently to how I did, and I don't know if it's because of the disease or not. I have gained 1st and cant get my rings on anymore, and I look quite plump in the face.



Thanks for your help,

Comments

  • CJHunter
    CJHunter Member Posts: 1,038
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Rainbow, nice to meet you.
    I cant say i have the face /jaw prob, but fingers lol with rings on what are they :lol:
    Havent worn rings for years as i am unable due to swelling.

    Hope you find some help, hope, laughter n support, i have and there are some great peeps on here.xx
    Clare xxeyeore-1.jpg
  • SheilaD
    SheilaD Member Posts: 201
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Rainbow

    welcome to the site :smile: What have you been diagnosed with? I have RA diagnosed this November :shock: I have not had the swelling of the face but you may find someone on here who has/had those swellings. There are a lot of knowledgeable people on here who may be able to help you.

    Love n hugs

    SheilaD xx
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Rainbow x:-)

    Welcome to the forum. I am sorry to hear that you are suffering so much
    and with three young children to look after it must be extremely tiring, and stressing for you. You have my sympathies.

    I have not heard of the drug you are on now but if it is a steroid they do make you put on weight unfortunately or give you the moon face look. Is the other drug you mention Enbrel, that you shall be put on in the new year?

    Have you tried Weight Watchers. People who seriously persevere with that diet get excellent results and it is a good all round food balance so healthy and you do not get hungry on it. I do appreciate that if you are taking steroid meds you do tend to feel hungry/think about food a lot.

    At least you have found us lot now and we will help and support you as much as you wish us to do and never think that any question is too silly to ask.

    What type of arthritis have you been diagnosed with?

    Hugs
    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • hileena111
    hileena111 Member Posts: 7,099
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    HiRainbow
    Welcome to the forum
    It must be so hard to have 3 little ones and arthritis as well.
    What kind of arthritis do you have.
    I dont know the drugs you are on but i do know my daughter in law was on steriods at one time and got what Elna called a moon face. I still have photos of her {well!!!!!! really of my little grandaughter but shes in them as well x:-D } So if its steriods its fairly normal. to put weight on
    Love
    Hileena
  • valval
    valval Member Posts: 14,911
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    welcome from me i also have not heard of those meds but feel for anyone who has a family and arther it can not be easy val
    val
  • Rainbow1981
    Rainbow1981 Member Posts: 3
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I am rheumatoid negative in my blood, so I have been diagnosed with 'inflammatory arthritis.' I also have vasculitis.

    How do you all cope with the pain, and the feeling of fluieness all the time?

    I find it so hard some days. :sad:

    I have arthritis/synovitus in my shoulders, wrists, fingers, tendons, hips, knees, and feet. It gets me so down sometimes.

    Sorry for being so depressing, I don't know who else to talk to about it.
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello, it's nice to meet you although I am sorry you have had to find us. Finding the right med or combination of meds is usually the starting point for things to improve. The medication is meant to bring the arthritis under control and it does so by subduing the immune system which is what the etanercept (enbrel) should do. In my neck of the woods the anti-TNF meds are supported (usually) with methotrexate, will that be the case for you? Once in your system the worst of the symptoms should be eased but the tiredness may remain a factor, we are all familiar with that. There is no easy answer to that part of it, try to pace yourself, rest as often as you can (hard with three little ones, I realise that). And please don't worry about being depressing - learning about, and learning to live, with this disease is a great deal to come to terms with, we do understand how demoralising, depressing and soul-destrying this malarkey can be and we are always here to listen. I wish you well. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • traluvie
    traluvie Member Posts: 2,579
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Rainbow,

    Welcome to the forum.
    I am 32 with a 14 yr old and 9yr old, although mine are older than yours i can have some understanding of the difficulties you are facing.. Have you spoke to GP about things? they may be able to help with occupational therapy in the home to give you some aids to help, home physio help with crutches and sticks..
    As DD has said it can take a while for meds to work and it could be a slow process, we are here to help and support you on your way..xx
    th_tn_TisFORTIGGER.jpgxxTracyxx
  • suzygirl
    suzygirl Member Posts: 2,005
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Rainbow, I am on steroids and have the horrible puffy face, although I have had without pred as well, not quite sure why. As for rings, well thats a no no, unfortunately.

    You do well with 3 small children, no wonder you get tired. Lets hope the enbrel is the wonder drug for you.

    Take care
  • tillytop
    tillytop Member Posts: 3,460
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello Rainbow and welcome from me too.

    Sorry things are so difficult for you - but hopefully by sharing on here you will feel less alone with it all. Really hope that the new drug gives you some relief.

    Thinking of you.

    Tillyxxx
  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Rainbow, Firstly welcome to the forum! I'm 38yrs old, can't have kids so no ankle biters! I have Osteoporosis so my conditions is different to yours but do suffer alot with swelling so can understand with it. I find that I'm having to reley on my OH to do pretty much for me especially when dealing with flare ups like I am at the moment. My problem area's are both hips,back, legs and now hands.
    I do find that I feel tired if I do some simple things like wrap christmas presents and write Christmas cards at the moment so having to pace myself to do these jobs.
    Hope this makes you realise your in the company of people who understand where your coming from!
  • lindalegs
    lindalegs Member Posts: 5,395
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Rainbow and welcome to posting.

    When I first had RA I had a new born baby and a two year old, who are now adults. I look back and wonder how I coped, but I did and so will you. Your children will actually help to keep you going because you just have to. It is hard, I know.

    My main advice to you is don't be too proud to ask family and friends for help even with the small things you struggle with. What takes them a second to do can leave you wanting to scream with frustration .......believe me it's not worth it. I didn't ask for help, at first, and suffered more in the long run. People are very willing to lend a hand but you'll probably need to ask.

    I hope this helps you.

    Remember we're here, we know how you feel.
    Love, Legs x
    'Make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing'
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Rainbow,

    a welcome from me as well, tis a good place.

    oh flower you have a lot of things there that will make you feel so tired. with luck the mycophenalate ill at least knock t the vasculitis and i so hope the Itanocept will work.

    i have big fatigue at times and i have this plodding thing ( i do that anyway :wink: ) and normally the best I have in me is half an hour before i have to stop and have at least a 10 min rest..... not so easy with the kids though.

    i wholeheartedly agree with Legs , don't be slow to ask for help.

    hang in there and with luck the Itanocept will really work for you. nice to meet you. Cris x

Categories