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Still trying to come to terms with my RA Options
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Debs
#1 Posted : Wednesday, May 04, 2011 11:02:24 AM Quote
Rank: Advanced Member

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Joined: 9/9/2010
Posts: 77
Location: Hampshire
Hello everyone

I haven't posted for a while. I am still trying to come to terms with having RA (diagnosed last Spetmeber). I have a hospital appointment at the beginning of June to see the consultant.

Apart from the usual tiredness and aches I really cannot deal with any kind of stress. I have never been particularly good at dealing with stress but it just seems to be getting worse!!! Sad and I feel it is due to having RA.

My feet are my real problem area as I have collapsed arches and huge bunions!!!!!RollEyes I have been to see a podiatrist twice now and have inserts to put into my shoes but to be honest they do not seem to make any difference as my feet are so painful when I walk any distance.

I applied for a blue badge at the beginning of the year which I now have. It really does help to be able to park near to shops etc. I didn't want to apply but I am so glad that I did.

I really miss being able to walk distances as my husband and I used to walk a lot together.

I am now on the lookout for some comfy sandals that I can wear out in the evenings!!!! BigGrin

Take care everyone
Love Debs xx
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crazychick
#2 Posted : Wednesday, May 04, 2011 12:50:43 PM Quote
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Hi Debs

It's good that you have posted again as you need support to cope with the RA, we all do and this site is brilliant for that.

Getting the blue badge is a good idea and makes it so much easier and comfortable to shop. I have one too.

Hotter is brilliant for comfy sandles. They do wide fitting and at the moment have an offer for 3 for 2 on. I have just ordered 3 pairs myself! I find them very good.

Are you on any drugs yet?

Good luck with your appointment.

Love Shirley x
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Rose-B
#3 Posted : Wednesday, May 04, 2011 1:07:16 PM Quote
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Joined: 4/20/2010
Posts: 1,749
Location: Somerset


Hello Debs

Welcome back we missed you.It is good to keep on the forum it helps our spirit..

Are you on any drugs at all at the moment ? Hotter (on line) is very good
for sandals, I have 2 pairs myself. I also have bad feet so need wider fitting and
spong heels.

Good luck with your appointment

Rose
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Debs
#4 Posted : Wednesday, May 04, 2011 1:30:32 PM Quote
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Joined: 9/9/2010
Posts: 77
Location: Hampshire
Hello Rose and Shirley

Thanks for your replies.
I will look at the Hotter on line site for shoes.

I take hydroxychloroquine, sulfasalazine and diclofenac and a stomach protection tablet. I have been lucky in that I haven't had any bad side affects from taking them long may it last!!!!!!!Smile
Take care love Debs
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suzanne_p
#5 Posted : Wednesday, May 04, 2011 3:01:57 PM Quote
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Joined: 8/25/2010
Posts: 1,289
Location: Buckinghamshire
hi Debs,

think lots of us have trouble accepting we have RA not sure i have yet .. it seems forever to get the right meds to suit you.

as for comfy sandals .. i swear by my Fly Flots, you can find them on line under Pavers or Shoe Shop.com

make full use of your appointment in June,

take care

Suzanne x
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ceri44
#6 Posted : Wednesday, May 04, 2011 3:34:25 PM Quote
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Joined: 9/5/2010
Posts: 364
Location: mid glamorgan
Hi Debs
Glad youve started posting again, I dont think we ever really come to terms with RA it really is hard to get to grips with. I was diagnosed 2 years ago and it still keeps throwing different things up at me! I know what you mean about stress, its like your body has enough to cope with, without any additional problems! I cant walk very well at all at the moment and I find it really upsetting as I used to be so fit and active.. Good luck with your appt in June and keep posting..Ceri xx
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anne_t
#7 Posted : Wednesday, May 04, 2011 7:11:50 PM Quote
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Joined: 12/3/2009
Posts: 302
Location: Rainham Kent
Hi Debs
Don't want to upset you but after 28years it can still rear its ugly head at very inconvenient times. After all it is a chronic disease.
One day at a time is all you can plan for. Take care Anne
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Paula-C
#8 Posted : Wednesday, May 04, 2011 9:31:31 PM Quote
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Joined: 12/3/2009
Posts: 838
Location: Nottinghamshire
Good to see you back.

I haven't come to terms with it yet, don't know if I ever will. I get use to it, then something else happens and I have to face new challenges, suppose it's the never ending story.

I do mourn not being able to wear nice shoes anymore. I am hoping and praying that some miracle will happen and I will be back in my heels, well a girl can dream. I had inserts made for me last year and I am currently waiting for some new ones. I was told to wear proper shoes that supported my feet or they would spread. Well I hate the grannie shoes that I was told to wear so all last summer I wore fly flot toe post sandals. My feet have spread and I can no longer get them in my old shoes, doesn't really matter because I can't walk in them anyway. I just joke that my feet have become flippers so I should be able to swim better.

We went out for lunch last Sunday with my daughter and boyfriend. I put on some white linen trousers and a nice top and I fished about in my shoe collection for some red sandals with a little heel. I couldn't get my foot in them. I showed them my daughter, she put them on and said to her boyfriend 'Do you like my new shoes'? Well daughter dear......You are not having them they are MINE!!!!! I think that when I do get rid of my shoes, that will be the turning point for me and I will then realise that I have accepted it all.

I bought my Fly flot from Pavers shop in a designer village near to where I live. I remembered when I once ordered some slippers for my father in law from the Chums catalogue he had told me to tick the box for VAT exemption because he had to have special ones for his feet. So I asked in the shop because of my RA could I get the same exemption. Well she looked at me as if I had come from another planet. However, I have rung up one of the specialist shoe places on the internet, I think it was Cosy feet and I have been told that if I order them because of my RA I don't have to pay the VAT. I have to tick an exemption box. It's a good saving if you are spending £50 plus on a pair of shoes. I wouldn't normally grudge paying that much for shoes if I liked them, but to pay that much for a pair that I hate hurts alot. I've also found out that there is a disability shop near where I live that stocks them and have been told that because it's a specialist shop I won't have to pay the VAT there either. Mean I know but this illness costs us alot as it is.

Paula
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sheila_G
#9 Posted : Wednesday, May 04, 2011 10:00:37 PM Quote
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Joined: 3/28/2011
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Location: North Preston
Hi Debs

Same old story I am afraid. I don't think I will ever get used to it but live in hope of accepting it one day. I, like you find the stress difficult but this forum is brilliant for therapy. I find just typing things and sending it to someone kind of off loads it a bit. If ever you feel down just log in and have a good moan. It does help!

Love Sheila x
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Debs
#10 Posted : Thursday, May 05, 2011 9:19:00 AM Quote
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Joined: 9/9/2010
Posts: 77
Location: Hampshire
Hi

Thanks so much for your replies it really is lovely to know that there are people who truly do understand this illness. I am fortunate in that I have a very supportive husband but it is so true that unless you have experience of RA it is difficult for others to really understand the condition and all the things associated with it.
Take care Love Debs xx Smile
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Lorna-A
#11 Posted : Thursday, May 05, 2011 2:14:42 PM Quote
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Hi Debs,

RA is a difficult condition to accept but to help yourself you MUST try to be positive. Yes I do know how hard that is....... I myself was extremely ill with RA 3.5 years ago. In 5 weeks I went from being fit and active to an invalid who needed almost everything done for me. My hands were decoration ( they did not move AT ALL) I had lost the use of my right arm, I could not turn my head, I was bent over with the pain I was in. I could hardly walk, I could not hold a cup or hairbrush or anything for that matter. I was in agony all of the time.

BUT I never gave up hope, I was sick at the thought of all the tablets I now had to take, but then I thought I could not feel any worse than I do at the moment. I struggled to hang out 2 items of clothing with the help of my Husband, who was an angel to me, and was absolutely wonderful at helping me. I had been busy painting my sitting room before RA and just had the ceiling edge to do. I did this myself...... being helped onto a chair and positioning the brush in my right hand and then supporting my right arm with my left arm I painted about 8ins in length along the ceiling edge. I did this each day until my room was complete. The point I am making is I NEVER GAVE UP HOPE I WOULD BEAT THIS. RA has never beaten me completely, I am now almost as well as before. I still take my drugs for it and I DO NOT have any pain at all now except if I over do things I can ache. But you learn very quickly what you can and cant do.

I hope I have given you some hope that there can be light at the end of the tunnel. My heart goes out to you, I was diagnosed a few weeks before Christmas. Before I had it diagnosed I thought I was dying, I got steadily worse each week and no one could tell me what was wrong with me. Then week 5, I was desperate when I saw the doctor again and she recognised what it may have been and I was seen the following day by a Rheumatologist. The RA doctor diagnosed me there and then and gave me a Steroid Injection and said the blood test would prove it. And it did..... the rest is history.

Keep RA in it's place it's you're life live it, If you like to walk get you're husband to take the car somewhere and do a little walk from there. Wear slippers if you have to. DON'T let RA spoil you're enjoyment. A positive mind will help as much as the drugs.

I really hope I have helped you a little.

Take care Lorna x Smile

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Debs
#12 Posted : Friday, May 13, 2011 10:59:56 AM Quote
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Joined: 9/9/2010
Posts: 77
Location: Hampshire
Hi Lorna
Thank you so much for your replySmile
I have ordered two pairs for sandals from Hotter online. Can't wait for them to arrive hopefully they will be really comfortable.
Take care Love Debs x
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