Dear friends,

I am having a major flare, which my body does not seem to be able to get on top of.

After 3 weeks of feeling low and aching, I phoned my rheum dept. monday a week ago and arranged to have a depo injection the following day. I felt so happy, that it could be sorted so quickly. At the same time they did my bloods. This is today a week ago, and I was hoping, that I would find an improvement within a few days, but `no`,I seem to be getting worse everyday, stuffing myself with co-codamol to be able to function.

This morning I phoned about my blood tests. ESR: 117 and CRP:128. I talked to the doctor, and she told me to up my predniselone from 4 mg to 10 mg and come and see her next monday. I don`t know, what she is going to do. Last time I felt like this was 18 years ago, when I was first diagnosed, and then it took about 2 years before it was got under control. Then I was trying all different drugs, was even on Gold for nearly a year. This was ofcourse before anti-TNF, so I am hoping this time to go on that. The rheumy has already talked about that, but I understand from what many of you have said, that it can take several months before it can all be arranged. I really hope, I don`t have to wait that long.

How I hate this illness: the stiffness, the ache all over the body, the fatigue. It makes you really miserable. Still, I am lucky, I have no small children like so many of you, and hubby is very understanding, going shopping and helping around the house.

Merete

Hi Merete,

So sorry to hear you are suffering like this. It looks as if you need the anti-tnf so lets hope they get you onto one as soon as possible.
Hope the increased steroid helps.

Love. Doreen xx

Hi Merete

I'm so sorry you havent responded to the depo. I have found over the many years I've had them that my response is now slower, also that they give me much higher doses now like 160mg. Sometimes they give a second one after a couple of weeks which can make all the difference. 4mg steroid was very little, so raising it to 10mg may help too.

I dont think you should have to wait that long for anti TNFs now, people are getting assessed and start treatment much more quickly now. Do ask about this at your appointment.

Lots of luck and my very warmest wishes for feeling better soon,
Love Liz
xx

Hello Merete.

I am so sorry to hear about your troubles. Who gave you the depo ! I had one earlier in
the year given by my Doc which didn't work. However the one given to me by my Rhummy did
work she said the Doc does not always give the correct injection ( a cheaper alternative)

Give our Rhummy nurse a call the pain and lack of energy is dreadful - I know
I am still not under control -

Good luck

Rose

Hi Merete,

I`m so sorry you are having such a very nasty flare - as you say, RA is hateful, with all the problems it brings.

I hope the rise in pred will help, as I think the depo injections don`t always work, for one reason or another. When you see your rheumy on Monday I do hope you raise the subject of the anti-TNF`s. When I was first offered them, my rheumy team acted quickly. I did my DAS assessments, and from being given the go-ahead to having the drug approved by the PCT only took a short time, as did the actual delivery of the drug itself.

Hope you feel better soon, and good luck for Monday,

Kathleen x

Hi Merete

I'm sorry the depo hasn't helped you. I should think your flare was caused by all the stress you've been under.

I should ask your rheummy or nurse about having anti-tnfs, you may not have to wait too long to be assessed

Lyn

Hope you are still feeling a bit better.

Sending you a big (((((hug)))))

Paula x x

Thinking of you Merete and sending gentle hugs your way,
With love from Liz xx