Hello Everyone,

Many thanks for your advice and suggestions regarding night sweats and copper bracelets, but now I've got another question - hope you don't mind! I'm seeing my rheumie next month - having finally getting results back from MRI scan on my hand confirming RA. I've been on MTX since Aug 09 and it's working to a degree but the pains are spreading around my body - it started in knees, then hips and MTX helped a little with this. Now in my elbows, wrists, fingers, toes and occasionally shoulders. At my last appointment, my rheumie told me that I wasn't really bad enough for anti tnf's. I've tried sulphasalazine and failed on that. Then she added leflunomide to the mtx but I couldn't tolerate that either. I can't tolerate steroids, so just on mtx, diclofenac, nortryptaline, tramadol and lidocaine patches. Can you offer any advice as to how to get the most out of my next appointment - I know I'm not as bad as some people with RA but it has significantly reduced my quality of life and I'm still in pain everyday. I'm only 40 and would love to be able to do more with my life than I'm able to do right now. I'm pretty positive but would like to know what my rights are regarding asking for anti-tnf's? Does anyone know? Sorry for rambling on but would really appreciate some help as I'm a bit nervous about seeing rheumie again! Thank you, Happy Easter to you all.... Allison x

Hi Liz

Sorry to hear how things are for you right now, you are very positive and like Liz you will get all the best advice from our friends on here what would we do without them ?

Happy Easter, love Julia xx

lol Julia sounds good excues to back have a lie in! sounds like a good idea!
Happy Easter both!! xxxxx

Hi Allison,

Also very very nearly forty and I've decided that's far too young to be plagued with RA so I've written to those in the know and mentioned they've made a mistake. Still waiting for the confirmation that it'll be taken away

I would have thought that you'd qualify for at least an assessment for Anti-TNF's seeing as you meet the criteria of 1) having active RA and 2) previously failed on at least 2 DMARDS.

At your next rheummy appointment, I'd ask for an assessment to be made so you can be considered for Anti-TNF's and be prepared to lay it on thick about how the RA as it currently stands is affecting your ability to function. I really believe you ought to at least get to have a shot at it.

When is your next appointment?

Joanna

Hi Alison,

So sorry you are having a rough time. That's the problem with Arthur, it takes so long to get meds sorted and we never really know how/what to ask for. NRAS do a really useful booklet about getting the most from your consultations. Why not give the Helpline a call and ask them for a copy ? You can also talk to someone there who will probably be able to give you the information you need.

Warmest wishes, Ann