hi all

dreamdaisy

I began with one affected joint, now it's thirty-eight. I have not slept through the night for years - I suspect that very few of us on here do unless it's drug-assisted and I for one won't be going down that route. It's a shame you didn't tackle this earlier as you could now be in a very different position but you didn't and you're not, so all you can do is begin adjusting.

There are no quick-fixes, no magic cures, even with the meds the pain and fatigue will still hang around. All of us find our moods rising and falling but one thing's for sure: there's no point in taking it out on those around you. Arthritis will not only be affecting you, it also affects those around you. In my case my husband feels utterly helpless, and in some ways he is. The only person who can deal with this is me but both of us are living with it. DD

frogmorton

Richy

The steroids are a temporary fix - they were expensive, but it has got you an earlier appt which is good and maybe worth the money??? Once you are on some disease modifying drugs then things should start to get under control and some decent pain relief too.

Rheumy prescribed amitriptyline for me to help relax those joints/muscles and knock on effect is better sleep - in my opinion there isn't much worse than not sleeping!

I really do hope you are not feeling so down that life isn't worth living Mind you have gone 2 years suffering in silence maybe you are just exhausted with it all?

Have you thought about ringing the helplines here? I did twice and found them so supportive....

Hope it doesn't seem nosey, but how long have you got to wait to see rheumy again?

Love

Toni xx

richy

frogmorton wrote:

Richy

The steroids are a temporary fix - they were expensive, but it has got you an earlier appt which is good and maybe worth the money??? Once you are on some disease modifying drugs then things should start to get under control and some decent pain relief too.

Rheumy prescribed amitriptyline for me to help relax those joints/muscles and knock on effect is better sleep - in my opinion there isn't much worse than not sleeping!

I really do hope you are not feeling so down that life isn't worth living Mind you have gone 2 years suffering in silence maybe you are just exhausted with it all?

Have you thought about ringing the helplines here? I did twice and found them so supportive....

Hope it doesn't seem nosey, but how long have you got to wait to see rheumy again?

Love

Toni xx

the doc says 3 weeks till my hospital appointment, 8)

frogmorton

Hi Richy

Just popping by to see how you are?

The amitrip gives me much more restful sleep - even if I have to turn over I can get back off easier if you know what I mean.

3 weeks isn't too long and maybe is even 2 weeks by now? have you been given a date yet?

Love

toni xx

dreamdaisy

Hello richy, any news? How are things with you? DD

richy

dreamdaisy wrote:

Hello richy, any news? How are things with you? DD

thankyou for asking dd , ive been fine, i get the odd twinge once in a while but apart from that back to the way i was, i,l be honest im not looking forward to the steroids wearing off tho, but by then i should be an out patient at the hospital and moving down the road a bit (health wise) iv,e started back to work and all good at the mo,,,
my work mates cannot believe the improvement in me,, lol,
fingers crossed eh, this web site has helped me out big time, so a big thumbs up to all on here,, thankyou,

stickywicket

I'm glad stuff's going well for you richy. Long may it last!

Catage29

Hi Richy

So glad you've seen a Specialist now. And great that your boss is supporting you too... I'm only allowed to be ill Friday's (my day off....terrible hey).

Also, and sometimes easier said that done, do not get stressed. I had a job three years ago which was so stressful. I ended up in agony. At first I didn't understand why and then I realised. It will make a massive impact on your bones.

Do you get tired too? That almost does my head in as much as the pain.

Take care and I hope they sort your meds asap!

Catherine. 8)

frogmorton

HI richy

good to hear you are back at work and how much your colleagues can see you have improved

Do let us know when you hear from the hospital

Love

Toni xx