Working with PsA

Piperrab

Hi I am rab, this is my first post.

I'm not so good with tech stuff but here goes. Iv been on mex, for 5 years now and I was suffering mentally, but didn't know how or who to talk too. I'm ex army and now a joiner/builder. Yes I found it hard to talk... a couple of months ago I had a break down and needed help. Iv spoken to doctor, he has been great. He hasn't put me on anymore drugs which is good.

I don't know if anyone else struggle with meds. When to take them, what one you can take close together to fit all them in 24hrs I was getting my self worked up and let it build up in side and could cope anymore. I'm on lansoprazole morning x1.

Naproxen 1 four time a day

Co codamol 1or2 four times a day

Sulfasalazine 2 in morning 2 at night. Methotrexate 25ml injection and the folic acid next day. Trying to fit it all in its impossible. And work at same time.. I would love to reduce my hours of work but like most ppl mortgage needs paying.

I have cut out all drugs except mex and folic and only have co codamol a couple a day . Mentally I feel better but my hands and feet are starting to get sore again. .. sorry iv never put anything on a chat don't even know if this is the right place to do it. But hope some one who has been thorough this can chat.. ppl say they except it after a year of diagnosis, it's been 5 years for me to except emotionally. Thanks for listening, Rab

[Deleted User]

Hi @Piperrab, welcome to the online community, I'm so glad you found us.

I see that you have psoriatic arthritis and that you're finding it difficult to take all of your prescribed meds throughout the day while working, I know a lot of people here can empathise with being overwhelmed with pills. Have you considered using a pill organiser, like this sort of thing? Anything you can do to make it easier for yourself to take them.

I've provided a link below which has some information about your rights in the workplace and things you can do to make life easier at work, especially with a physically demanding job it's important to take care of yourself.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/living-with-arthritis/work/

Please do keep posting here, it's good to talk.

Best wishes, Sarah (moderator)

Piperrab

Thanks Sarah.

As I said I'm not to good online like this. And not sure where to post a chat. Is it in the say hello part. I would like to get ppl to see my messages and to get feed back so I can make more sense out of this. I see and read things like invisible disability. I don't even know if this is even classed as a disability, as I say you can't see anything physical except a limp when I have a flare up in my feet. I just need guidance 🙏 thanks again rab

[Deleted User]

Hi @Piperrab,

It can be a bit confusing to navigate the website and we're here to help!

The post you have made is in the right place, on a part of the site called 'living with arthritis'. You could have also gone with 'work and financial support', but doesn't really matter as it all gets put together in 'recent posts' so it will be seen by others. If you have any more questions about posting, commenting, or anything at all please don't hesitate to ask, you can just put another comment here and we will see it.

Arthritis is classed as a disability by most people but its up to you if you identify with that. Either way, its important that you're supported, because ultimately it does affect your daily life and causes you pain. I'm so glad to hear that you've been able to talk to your doctor about mental health and that they've been helpful, and there's always support here for you.

If you'd like to chat to someone over the phone about your arthritis or anything related, you can call the versus arthritis helpline:

Call 0800 5200 520 for free today (Monday–Friday, 9am–6pm)

The helpline is closed from 12.00 pm the last Friday of every month for training.

Hope this helped!

Sarah

jamieA

Hi @Piperrab

I had the same problem as you with all the different drugs I'm on. My GP surgery has a resident pharmacist and I spoke to her about finding a better way of organising my drugs. She suggested that they could be organised into a weekly blister pack - some people call them Dosette boxes - and she organised that with my local pharmacy. I now get the blister pack once a week from the pharmacy and my drugs are organised into small blister containers on a sheet marked out with the days of the week and morning, noon and night times. A bit like this.

https://www.marksteypharmacy.co.uk/dosette-box-preparation/

jamieA

Also I know you said you're not good with tech stuff but I've also set a reminder on my smart phone that tells me to take my medication at 8am, 1pm and 6pm.