Feeling overwhelmed and lost

Jennymanley

hi guys I hope you are well and the brighter skys are making you feel a little better .
I must say for the first time in years I have never felt the way I do right now and I hope some of you will understand how I’m feeling.

I was diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis ( still looking as to what type as yet ) in Sept 23 after being ill with what was fist thought a viral infection in May 23 my joints were so sore and swollen and I was covered in a rash and high temperature I felt really ill .My rheumatologist decided that sulphalazine( excuse spelling ) was the best course of treatment due to me being allergic to an ingredient in methotrexate treatment didn’t start until January as I had to wait for a telephone consultation from the rheumatology nurse practitioner , my joints were still really sore and inflammation was seen in my joints so I’m now on both medications .Methotrexate was prescribed January and was started 3 weeks ago as once again it took ages for the telephone consultation.

I understand that I may not feel the best all the time but wow I never thought I’d feel like this , I’m so tired all the time I’m struggling with my job as I get totally exhausted I’m in pain all the time if not in one joint in another an xx I’m beginning to feel really low is this normal? I am actually being sick 2 days after taking methotrexate is this normal? I feel so alone in this and very in supported as I’ve had no help from the rheumatology team at the hospital .
I had an arthroscopy in February to repair my cartilage in my knee , I knew I had osteoarthritis in it but it went from a stage 1 in November to a stage 3 in February and after 8 weeks post op it’s still really swollen and sore not sure if it was an orthopaedic issue or Rhumatoid I phoned the hospital advice line 2 weeks ago and I still haven’t heard back from them. So phoned the Orthopaedic doctor and was seen they said it’s because the inflammatory arthritis has attacked the knee joint because it s a weak point so will be looking at a replacement sooner rather than later. I feel that I’ve been given this diagnosis and just left to pick up the pieces with no support does anyone else feel like this ?
I’m so sorry for the long story but I just needed to get it off my chest .

noddingtonpete

Hi @Jennymanley and welcome to the Community. We are a friendly and supportive group and I hope that will be your experience as well.

I think with all new medications they need some time to work and to 'settle down' That said any worries I would go straight back to my Consultant/GP to check that this is OK. Also have a read through the following from our website https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/drugs/sulfasalazine/

I hope this helps and now you are here please keep posting and let us know how you are getting on.

Best wishes

Peter