Hi Paula, really sorry to hear you're having such a bad time with the RA, and so so sorry for not being around, I've been having a rough time with RA and other things going on with my health, and family too.

Just read through all the posts and as usual people have given fantastic advice and info, and your post I have found very interesting. Do make sure that they give you a proper pain management plan, as it is something that can be managed with the right medication. When the pain is really bad I now take Oramorph, not suitable for everyone, but seems to do work in the short term.

Take care,

much love,

Barbara
XXXXX

I hope I haven't given the impression that I am in loads of pain at the moment I am coping with it, I have even been helping with some decorating today. Doing a bit and then having a rest. I've been thinking of how I am now compared with a few months ago and there is improvement. I've been taking MTX for 6 weeks now, the doctor did say that she thought I needed something else added to the sulpa........ and this is proving to be right. So please don't worry about me I am doing fine.

Mari you asked about the xrays of my hands, I have been told that there was no damage showing up then (last July), it was the specialist nurse that told me when I showed them her about 7 weeks ago. They had changed over the last few months and I was hoping it was only swelling and they would go back down. The tendernitis thankfully seems to have calmed down now and I hoping it doesnt come back but like you said it is related to RA, if I remember right the nurse said that the lump on my hand is inflammation to a tendon that runs from the finger I had the tendernitis in, so it's not fully gone away yet.

You mentioned about the OT looking after a range of disabilities, I must be lucky because my hospital have OT's and Physio who specalises in RA, it's just a small team but they are there just for people with RA. Interesting what you said about your feet about walking on growths or sore swollen pads. I read alot of people sayng that it's like walking on pebbles, I described it like walking with half a hard tennis ball stuck on the ball of my foot.

I had an appointment with the podiatrist last week and I never knew that my feet could be so interesting. I saw someone different last year, he didn't examine my feet like this one did, just said the RA had made me flat footed, I was then walking putting pressure on the wrong part of my foot and this was making my skin hard and this was giving me pain. He measured me for some inner soles which I found to be useless. The one I saw last week really examined my feet well and then told me I had two problems with my feet. One being the RA and the other was just how my feet are, the structure of my feet are not normal. You normally walk and put most of the pressure on your big toe, I don't, I put mine on the toe next to it. He asked if I had ever noticed that my feet were different from other people's. Well I've never really compared them, mine are broader that most and my feet are floppy. (That was nice to know). He asked if I ever turned over on my ankle or lose my balance. I told him that sometimes I fall off my feet, stupid thing to say, but I do. He just said loudly with a big smile on his face..'Thats just what I wanted to hear'.

He said that I need a small heel, I have always said that I can't wear flat shoes, so now it is official and if I had any of the ballet type shoes I have to throw them away. A wedge sole really is the best for my foot, one that tapers down from the heel to support my feet all the way to the toe. He measured me up for some inserts, this time not by drawing around my foot but I had to put each foot into a box and a proper mould was made. I don't have to wear them all the time I am allowed to wear other shoes and he's pointed me in the direction of sketchers or fly flops/flots? The signs of damage on the xrays is from the RA but because I walk different that's not helping either. So my feet have to deal with a double whammy.

Well from having the damage to my fingers and the podiatrist saying I've got early signs of damage to my feet because of the RA any dream/hope that I had that they've got my diagnosis wrong is now well and truly shattered.

Paula

I like Fly flot shoes Paula, they have some really nice shoes.
The insoles have arch support and I find them much better than the insoles I had made for me by the podiatrist,

Doreen xx

Mari

I'm lucky I don't go to work, my husband was a roofing contractor, I did the office work for him at home. I say was because he recently decided he can't do it anymore, 40 years of running up and down ladders and kneeling have taken it's toll on his knees and he just can't do it anymore. At the moment we are 'planning our future' and living on our savings. I know though that when I first started with RA if I was going to work I just couldn't of gone. I don't know if I could now, I always have said I'm very lucky in the fact that I don't have to go to work. I plod about in the morning doing things when I want to. I really do feel for you all that have to go to work because your wage is needed and all of you that have children to look after. If I don't get things done when I should it really doesn't matter.

I am now the owner of a nice pair of Fly Flots. I'm not sure if the podiatrist will consider them to be right, but they are Fly Flots. When I get my inserts I haven't got to wear them all the time, I can wear other shoes he said. These Fly Flots are toe post sandal ones. They are the ones with a jel soles with memory insoles and they are very nice too. Just hope he agrees.

I've just been looking on another forum and someones enquired about VAT relief on things that we have to buy. By conicidence someone had posted that they had just bought a pair of shoes, told the sales assistant why they wanted them and was given a form to fill in and didn't have to pay the VAT. Could I of done that?

Like my mum use to say 'Look after the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves'

Paula