Just having a moan

tjc123 · 10. May 2010, 12:39

Hi everyone

Sorry to have a moan on my first post.Im just fed up with my stiff,swollen painful hands & feet.
The pain is so bad im not getting much sleep as im up taking painkillers at 3am,then have to be up for work at 7am

I currently take hydro,dihydracodine (sorry about the spelling)& paracetamol.
Does anyone have any ideas how to take the swelling down?

Sorry for the rant
tjc.

speedalong · 10. May 2010, 13:08

Hi TJC, welcome to the forum. Sorry you are having such a terrible time. RICE is what they recommend for swelling - rest, ice, compression and elevate. Easier on some parts of the body than others.

Perhaps it is time to go back to the docs for some more meds especially if the pain is waking you in the night?

Have you seen a rheumy?

I find cabbage leaves great for my knees - doesn't work for everybody - I put a leaf on my knee under a tubigrip bandage at bedtime. Could try it on your feet?

I'm sure more suggestions will be posted.

Speedalong
Speedalong

tillytop · 10. May 2010, 13:30

Hi TJC and welcome from me too. Please don't worry about moaning - that's what we're here for and you will get lots of support and advice from the forum members.
You don't say what type of arthritis you have - or perhaps you haven't had a diagnosis but it certainly sounds as if you need some (more) medical support to help you to manage the pain and swelling. Sorry that I haven't got any practical suggestions, but I see that Speedalong has given some suggestions for the swelling and I am sure that others will be along before long with their thoughts. Best wishes. TIlly x]

woodbon · 10. May 2010, 13:40

Hi,
Moaning is what I do a lot of! This is the right place to do it and you might find someone with an answer to the problems your having!

We all need to let go sometimes.
Love Sue

janie68 · 10. May 2010, 13:53

Hi TJC

Do you have any splints for your hands to wear at night? I f not, then you can get them from physio, get referred by rheumy or gp. Got no ideas about the feet I'm afraid, but I'm sure someone will come along soon who will have suggestions for you.

Janie

tjc123 · 10. May 2010, 14:17

Thanks everyone

I do see a Reumy but my next appointment is July,ive have early RA & reuynards & I just feel like im getting no where fast.
I do have a helpline number to get in touch with my OT maybe I should give her a call.

I am seeing a physio for the first time on Thursday so I will ask about the splints.My GP doesnt want to give me Tramadol because im asthmatic so ive added paracetomol to my painkillers.I feel like it must all be in my head :roll: but after reading your comments I dont think it is.So for now ill just plod on.

Thanks again you are all so lovely
tjc xxx

dreamdaisy · 11. May 2010, 05:55

I'm asthmatic and I'm on tramadol (50mg). I've never had a problem so have a think about asking your GP to reconsider. Paracetamol just does not have the clout that we need. I also take co-codamol 30/500 for everyday relief. (The trammy sends me to sleep so I save that for night-time). I have psoriatic arthritis (PA) and I am on other meds too. There are many different treatments out there and you may be in need of trying some, however I suppose the Reynaud's may complicate matters - that's poor blood supply isn't it? I suspect your rheumatologist could be doing more. Keep a diary of symptoms and pain levels so that when you next see him/her they can read it and gain a clearer idea of the problems you are facing. Dreamdaisy

orangeapplerolo · 12. May 2010, 06:36

Hi i've just read your post. I know exactly how it feels. I returned to work last week for the first time in two weeks. Due to a flare up, i feel like i keep letting them down. I work in a childrens nursery so its not easy to ring up and say your not in because it messes things up for that day. I've been there a year and already have had so many sick days due to my Arthritis. Now that i have gone back, the vibe is horrible. I don't feel like part of the team no more. I feel like they all hate me. I just wish there is someone out there who i can talk to.

i'm only 18 and sometimes finds it very hard to cope with. Please write back.

tjc123 · 12. May 2010, 08:37

Oh no its awful they make you feel that way,you cant help being off.

Im a teaching Assistant in a reception class so I know were your coming from,its not a easy job especially when you are in pain & dont feel yourself...sometimes the noise alone can be bad enough.

One good thing I am very lucky to have all the school holidays

dreamdaisy · 12. May 2010, 09:16

Hi orangeapplerolo (oar for short). It is horrible and you're not the first to notice it. Colleagues without arthritis do not understand it in any way, shape or form and you may find yourself at the sharp end of unpleasant comments. See how things go, and if they don't improve see if you can gather everyone together so you can explain, in one go, what is wrong and how it affects you. Google the spoon theory, it explains things for non-sufferers of all illnesses very well indeed. You are not alone in facing this - it's a common theme on the work forum and here too. We know how it is and we understand. Moan to us - no sarky comments back, I promise. Dreamdaisy

woodbon · 12. May 2010, 13:49

HI I was a care assistant, working with the elderly for the county council. We had a few leaflets in the staff room explaining these sort of problems and offering advice on how not to get injured and what to do if you have a problem. I think you can get them free, either from this site or one of the arthritis sites. I'm sure your boss will be only too happy to allow this and let it be anonumus if you don't want people to know.

Just an idea, why not phone the helpline here and ask them for advice, they are good and they can send leaflets and advice for you. The numbers free, on the right hand side of the page. Remember too that you do have rights as an employee and one of them is not to be bullyed. If you are in a union, ask them they can be helpful.

Hope you find a way to help, love Sue

dreamdaisy · 13. May 2010, 09:48

Hi tjc123, has anything improved for you yet? I hope things are a little easier for you. Dreamdaisy

tjc123 · 13. May 2010, 15:32

Hi DD

I have my first physio today. He said there is nothing he can do for the swelling in my hands as the disfiguration has already started & when I asked about splints he said I wouldnt benefit from them.So not much help realy
:? I think I will give my reuhmey nurse a call tomorrow.

Thankyou for asking x

skezier · 13. May 2010, 20:29

Hi TJC,

Sorry I am late seeing this but a belated welcome from me as well. My swelling only starts to go down with rest and though I know a lot of people use cold compresses on theirs I have an total aversion to the cold so use heat..... It helps ease the pain at least.

Glad your going to talk to your rumo cus well... I think different pain control and pos anti inflammatories might be better. Nice o meet you and let us know how it goes please. Cris x

Hi Orangeapplerolo,

Its hard sometimes to fit back in but hopefully it ill click back into to place. I am self employed but know when I first had my feet operated on my then employers and work mates took a bit of time to adjust to me being back.... Like they were waiting for me to fall somehow. I hope it gets easier for you and nice to meet you as well. Cris x

dorcas · 14. May 2010, 01:33

Hi tjc and welcome to the forum from me too.

I have PA and some OA and have a lot of problems with my hands and other joints.

I use heat (can't stand cold brrrrr!!!) to help with the pain and stiffness in my hands and after having hot wax treatment at hospital I bought a small unit to use at home (hot wax hand therapy unit cost £40.00)...Although it doesn't 'treat' arther it brings wonderful, soothing relief for a time and I use it morning and evening. You can also use it for your feet!

I'm a bit surprised that physio has said you can't have splints :? as both my hands are 'deformed' with drifting hand/ fingers but I still benefit from wearing splints. The OT hand therapist at hospital also made me 'resting splints' for night time use.
Perhaps you should ask your doc for a referral to a hand therapist rather than a physio?....the HT will also give you exercises to help maintain your hand dexterity and manipulation skills.

I agree with other peeps that you should ask doc for a review of your meds for pain and sleep; ....I take amatriptyline which helps me.sometimes you have to 'keep on asking' for the help you need.

Good luck and let us know how you get on......Iris x

dorcas · 14. May 2010, 01:46

Hi orangeapplerolo! and welcome to the forum too.

Sorry that work seems to be an unfriendly place just now :? as others have said people who don't have arthritis don't understand the pain, but attitudes like that can make you feel unwelcome and that is hard to bear.

Have you seen an OH doc or nurse for advice on what support you can get at work? Although some of your 'colleagues' are less than supportive is your boss more understanding of your illness? There are lots of info. leaflets available on this website which you could pass on to your boss and perhaps she/he would have a quiet word with the other employees.

Please post here any time as we do know how you feel and want to support you if we can. You are not alone with this

I would suggest too that you phone our helpline peeps as it is important sometimes to be able to talk through problems we have with coping with arther...and there are no better folks to talk to than our helpline!
try to keep your chin up.. (((hugs)))
Iris x

tjc123 · 14. May 2010, 02:52

Hi dorcas

I too thought t the only hat I would benefit from splints but the "execise" the physio gave me was too put my hands under a warm running tap & wriggle my fingers.

So I came away from my appointment rather dissapointed :roll:
thanks tjc x

dorcas · 14. May 2010, 03:09

hello again tjc,

:shock: words fail me. :roll:
If that's the only exercise and advice the physio gave you, w-e-l-l
that just ain't good enough :x

go see you GP and ask for a referral to a specialist OT Hand Therapist...they are the experts and will not fob you off the way the physio has :roll:

getting the right advice, splints and exercises will help with loosening up stiff hands and help with the pain!

something else you could ask about is if your local hospital have any lifestyle management courses for peeps with arther. I went to a course recently, run by hospital OTs, and found it very helpful.
Arthritis care also run courses and I've posted the link for you to look at. I'm on the waiting list for that too...x

http://www.arthritiscare.org.uk/PublicationsandResources/Selfmanagement/Workshopscourses

hope it works out for you.
Irisx

orangeapplerolo · 14. May 2010, 04:15

TJC123- Thank you for your reply. Its really nice to know i'm not the only one, i don't mean that in a bad way. Your lucky you got scholl holidays unfortunatley with my nursery we are still open

i just can't help but feel awful, i feel like even my boss doesn't trust me no more. I just wish it would go away, i have other things wrong with me to

that sometimes gets in the way.

Dreamdaisy-Thanks for your reply. We have these staff meetings once a month to talk about new issues ect.. We have one on the 20th May (Next Thursday) do you think i should say how i've been feeling and have it out with them? It won't make things worse would it?

skezier - Thank you for your reply, thats exactly how i feel, like they are waiting for me to mess up. They don't trust me, like i'm incapable. I wat to prove to them i can still do my job. But i dn'tknow how to. xx

Dorcas- Thanks for replying. Well i kinda feel like the boss has had nough to, she doesn't speak to me much anymore but the assistant manager said once its ok we know its not your fault but i feel like they were just words without meaning. Before it got worse i flt like i finally belonged somewhere at work, but now i feel useless. Like i'm no help to anyone. xx

dreamdaisy · 14. May 2010, 05:22

Morning oar. Yes, I think you should. To really put them in the picture google The Spoon Theory. This was posited by a woman who suffered from summat else but it works as a way to explain all long-term chronic conditions. It does give non-sufferes an insight about the difficulties you are facing. Have a look at it, then come back to me on this thread and we'll take it further - other people can chip in too, because many of them have faced a similar situation. Take care. DD

skezier · 14. May 2010, 07:32

Hi TJC,

hell she was good wasn't she?! Its incredible but I think sometimes they just don't know what to do or say so come up with something ridiculous...... I really hope you can get something sorted and a ((( ))) cus its like hitting a wall at 90 at times. Cris x

Hi Orangeapplerolo,

You hang in there cus there is no reason you are going to mess up. Its possible with OH help etc you will be fine so please try not to worry. I worked in a male dominated environment and they didn't really want women there anyway so that was always said as the reason I had my feet done..... I never could get a hold of their head set! You are probably worrying as you also (if your were like me) are wondering can you do it but you can every bit as good as them. hang in there and if needed we will all come and kick them for you

I got badly injured in the end so that was me finished and I went self employed and in some ways medical discharge did me the biggest favour ever so don't worry cus what ever happens you will get through it. This lot here are always on the end of a keyboard to help ands support you as well don't forget. Keep in touch, Cris x

dreamdaisy · 14. May 2010, 10:30

Just a thought tjc123. The physio ISN'T the one to judge benefit, YOU are. Go back to him and ask to try, or get onto OT and see if they can do anything. You could also go to a disabled supply shop, they stock all sorts of things from recliners to raised loo seats. (OT = occupational therapy in case you didn't know - there are quite a few terms on here that take getting used to, THR, TKR etc). DD

tjc123 · 15. May 2010, 12:38

Thanks DD i will ask my OT on Monday when I ring her,she did offer me a loo seat,bath seat & bath rails.She is very good so I think the splints will be worth asking her about.

Just having a moan

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