Rheumatoid Arthirits

sophannalise

Hi all, I got diagnosed with seronegative arthritis in 2023, but have symptoms of it as all my bloods are coming back normal, but my left hand/wrist has a lot of inflammation, & think it’s spreading to the right hand.
I am currently on medication of methotrexate 25MG once a week. I am new to all of this, so does anybody have any tips on how to manage pain, I’ve looked at compression gloves and everything and I’m just so unsure how they would work? I have been offered the methotrexate injections, but I do have a fear of injections let alone doing it my self, and not quite sure if it’s more effective then tablets. I’m only 28 and feel like this is putting my life on hold, and questioning my job role.

noddingtonpete

Hello @sophannalise and welocme to the Community. We are a friendly and supportive group and I hope that will be your experience as well.

I've put a couple of links in below which I hope will be of use to you. I don't personally take methotrexate so cannot comment directly but there are lots of others on here who do so hopefully they will share their experiences with you.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/managing-symptoms/managing-your-pain/

and

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/your-experiences/your-questions-answered/your-questions-on-methotrexate/

Please keep posting and let us know how you are getting on.

Best wishes

Peter

Littlebrownwifey

Hi, I have had Seronegative Rheumatoid Arthritis for around 25 years. My Consultant retired after COVID and I haven’t seen a Consultant since December 2021. I have asked for an appointment with my new Consultant but keep being told that she is not in the country and don’t know when she will be in UK. I’m not sure what to do next?

Arciere

Hi @sophannalise

Controversial maybe but I have found steroids really work well. Talk with your Consultant about that - mine explained it like: steroids put the fire out and the DMARD (your methotrexate) keeps the fire out. If you find that Methotrexate isn’t working, then do push back to try an alternative medication. Methotrexate did not work for me and affected my personality / mood. Naproxen can take the edge off it, but not immediately. Paracetamol can also help when it’s really bad.

Otherwise I find anything warm really soothing for my hands / wrists. Saunas, hot baths etc

Small changes to things in the morning have helped too e.g pump action shower gels and things. I ask my kids to squeeze the toothpaste and use a long shoe horn for footwear etc, Once the hands are warmed up to the day, it can become manageable.

I also have a subjective/ anecdotal opinion that pressure/ stress/ anxiety/ worry/ trauma plays a part in the inflammatory response.

There is lots of content online about diet / but I haven’t found any links between what I eat and any flare ups or general pain (or the reduction of) yet

Ellen

Welcome @Littlebrownwifey to the online community. You have waited a long long time to see your Rheumatologist 3.5 years in fact. Have you been able to at least see a Rheumatology nurse in the meantime I wonder.

Many of our members have been saying they are waiting as much as 2 years between appointments, but this does sound an awfully long time with no sign of anything in the future.

You obviously would like to see a consultant so maybe a chat with your GP might get things moved along for you?

Best wishes

Ellen.

Littlebrownwifey

Hi Ellen, thank you for your reply. I have tried all sorts but will keep on going. I have been fighting to get to the bottom of my foot pain for a year now. With appointments at Physio, Podiatry and others I have soldiered on and have finally secured an appointment with the Orthopaedic specialist on 5th August. It is very difficult when speaking to medical staff to keep a cool head and be polite. We all have to fight for the simplest of things it seems. I am on Methotrexate, Hydroxychloroquine, Biologics and pain killers. Pain just seems to be an everyday occurrence that I have to endure but I keep smiling and forge ahead!