my first post 😊

MAZ1966

HI there .. I have just joined this community and have been reading posts and great support and thought I would give it a try!

I was diagnosed with RA about 10 years ago , I am 58 now. Usual symptoms pain , swelling, fatigue, flare ups. Was initially on Methotrexate and hydrochloroquine. After about a year 1 went from MTX tablets to injections but stopped after another year as my hair started falling out . I now take Leflunomide. My RA started getting progressively worse , more flare ups pain in my hips and feet, my feet are so painful all the time now and my toes seem to be numb - my xray showed no issues except for bunions that I now have developed !. I have now also been diagnosed with Osteoporosis in my hips and knees. No revised treatment plan yet as waiting to see the RA specialist in Sept, and no plan B in the meantime. I recently had such a bad flare up (worst ever) that my doctor put me on steroids for 2 weeks as he could not get hold of the RA specialist at the hospital. I am feeling quite down lately as seems to be no let up - feel stiff all the time and so very tired - used to love going on long walks with my dog , but getting slower and harder to do - does anyone have any advice on exercise that I would benefit from - quite embarrassing but I cant swim 😱 so unless I take lessons , not an option at the moment .

thank you so much in advance, looking forward to hearing from you 😊

Poppyjane

Welcome @MAZ1966 to the online community,

We are glad you found us and that reading the posts has been helpful and supportive. That is our aim to offer support to anyone living with the everyday issues of arthritis. There is a lot to browse through and we hope that you will continue to find it useful.

The stretching videos are a great way to relieve some of the stiffness you are experiencing. I suggest that you start gently and build up gradually, it will in time help increase your stamina levels and make your dog walks more enjoyable. The exercise videos and those with Leon and his mother worked for me so give them a try and let us know how you get on.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2021/october/new-stretching-videos-to-help-keep-moving-and-manage-your-arthritis/

As for not being able to swim you can always just do the same exercises in the shallow end of an ordinary pool or in a hydrotherapy pool. Then you are always in your depth and near a wall bar for security.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/therapies/hydrotherapy/

Whilst waiting for an appointment with your consultant may be you could write a diary of your symptoms and feelings so that you have an accurate record of those few weeks to explain your progress. This can sometimes help trigger a list of questions to take because it is so easy to forget them in the relief of finally being there!

Fatigue is another common characteristic of RA and many of us deal with it on a daily basis and find it debilitating, so I attach a link of helpful tips which I hope might help.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2022/april/5-ways-to-help-with-fatigue/

We are pleased you gave sending a post "a try" and hope that other members of the community will share their tips with you. Let us know how you get on.

Best wishes

Poppyjane