Carer

SecondLife
SecondLife Member Posts: 7
edited 6. May 2013, 05:06 in Living with Arthritis archive
I have been looking after my hubby for the last 5 years since he was diagnosed with asbestosis and COPD, life has not always been easy but we have made the best of it. This week we had a bombshell drop when our GP told me that I had RA, I am currently waiting for an appointment with the hospital which, apparently, will be within 2 weeks. At the moment my hubby's health is stable but even so I am finding it hard to cope with simple things like cooking or shopping. I am feeling positive and hope that once the pain is under control that life will return to some sort of normality. If anyone has any thoughts or suggestions I would be grateful for them. :)

Comments

  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,281
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello and a warm welcome to the forum...I am so sorry to hear about your OH...I do feel for you both
    , hopefully at your appointment they will do blood test and maybe xrays...you must make a list of any questions you have and a list of any symptoms.. pain, swelling ,hair loss, rashes..sorry I am throwing all this at you but I am trying to remember what they asked me..I do hope you get some answers then you can proceed with some treatment..sometimes these things can go on a while..please let us know how you get on....good luck xx
    Love
    Barbara
  • SecondLife
    SecondLife Member Posts: 7
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    barbara12 wrote:
    Hello and a warm welcome to the forum...I am so sorry to hear about your OH...I do feel for you both
    , hopefully at your appointment they will do blood test and maybe xrays...you must make a list of any questions you have and a list of any symptoms.. pain, swelling ,hair loss, rashes..sorry I am throwing all this at you but I am trying to remember what they asked me..I do hope you get some answers then you can proceed with some treatment..sometimes these things can go on a while..please let us know how you get on....good luck xx
    Hair loss - good grief that is the one thing hubby has been moaning about that everywhere he goes he finds my hair, didn't realise it could be part of this just thought it was old age lol
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I don't think that hair loss can be a symptom of RA, SecondLife. (I've had RA for over 50 years.) It can be a side-effect of some of the meds we take for it but not normally in a very significant way ie I see a few on the pillow or in the washbasin after washing my hair but, to look at me, no-one would guess.

    As Barbara says though, it's a good idea to make a list of symptoms, pain, swelling etc as, in the stress of a first visit, you are quite likely to forget and hospital appointments are usually an excellent way of making pain and swelling disappear briefly :roll:
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • SecondLife
    SecondLife Member Posts: 7
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    New to all of this, in some strange way I am looking forward to going to the hospital. I know what you mean about 'crowning glory' I was horrified the other day when I realised I could see my scalp, a new style was called for lol
  • constable
    constable Member Posts: 2,115
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Just wanted to say a big welcome to the forum. And to say, I know whats it like looking after a partner. My hubby has severe back/spine problems and is now classed as disabled. I don't have ra, but have oa,. Had a hip replacement 3 years ago and now it is cropping up in many other places. It is hard going when you yourself feel you need to slow down, take a break etc.

    Please let us know how you get on at the hospital wont you. And if, you need to have a good rant then here is the place to do it. And it does make you feel a bit better after.
    Karen xx