is it ok to go on sunbed if youve only had steroid injection as i have to before i go on holliday only couple times so skin ready for heat so i dont burn i did it 2 years ago but wasnt on meds then please could someone tell or help me thankyou plus it helps deppresion

Eeeks - you MUST be careful in hot sun when on mtx, girls! Have a great holiday - wish I was coming with you
Lots of love
Jeanxxxx

I've used sunbeds in the past, until my father died of skin cancer. I definitely wont be using them again. Steroids thin your skin making it more susceptible to damage. Personally I wouldn't take the risk.

I've done it whilst on methotrexate but not steroids. Only did minimum time twice a week 2 weeks before hol.

Julie

I'd still urge caution. This is contrary to the advice given by my consultant!

Oh Beth - these wonderful consultants OFTEN give conflicting advice on all sorts of issues and, as you say, it's all extremely confusing! Mine told me that on no account should I sit in the sun on holiday and take good care to cover myself up. I must be the only woman on earth to come back from 3 weeks in the Carribean completely white!!!

Where are you off to? Somewhere hot and exotic I hope - oh - have you got space for a little 'un in your suitcase?

As for the other stuff - mmm . I also hated not being able to hold my grandson and now not being able to pick up my granddaughter. As for the shoes - don't start me off about shoes!!!!!! RA is a bummer. Let's give it up over Easter

Lots of love
Jeanxxxxx

Hi Lorraine and Beth

I agree with Jean and Carol. My consultant definitely advises "no sun beds" and only absolute minimum "sun exposure". I think the reason for conflicting advice is that some consultants are simply more aware than others due to their own patients experiences. Life is difficult when all we want is an answer, but to give specialists their due I don't think they can be expected to have all the answers. After 22 years I'm still finding things I didn't know about the disease and I'm living with it. Although they work with the condition daily there are so many different responses to differing situations, what works for one doesn't for another. It's very difficult for them too!

If you could see my hands you would appreciate the damage done to thinning 'steroid' skin due to overexposure to European sun. The warmth of the sun does wonders for my joints but alas the skin on my hands blistered badly requiring hospital treatment. This wasn't hours spent kipping out on a beach either it was walking around a sunny town with very high factor sun cream on all exposed bits! The blisters burst leaving raw skin which became infected and then when healed scarred. I now have hands that are spattered with white blotches and a constant reminder to "avoid" sun at all costs!

RA does mean there are things we can't do but its amazing how much more you can appreciate the things you are able to do. Be positive and let the negatives go, they will hold you back, you will become stronger and enjoy what you do have that much more.

I'm off to Cyprus in August (all that sun!), but will enjoy reading in the shade (safely) soaking up the balmy rays, listening to music, taking photos, watching the boys in and out of the pool, being served lovely cooling drinks and delicious fresh fruit by my other half but best of all I will appreciate early morning and late evening strolls around the sights and relatively quiet roads on which to get around! Looking forward to it so much.

I'm sure Egypt will be fab and so much to see and do. Hope you have a lovely time Beth

Lyn x

Thanks Lyn

Scary how we can be affected when we have this awful RA. Sorry to hear how badly you were affected by the sun. It has certainly heightened my awareness!

Take care
Beth
x