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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/14/2011
Posts: 38
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Hi everyone Can anyone give me advice - for the last few days I have had a sore throat and generally feeling under the weather -I have been taking paracetamol extra hoping that I can "ride it out" but woke up this morning to a hot and puffy elbow !! I don't know if I should contact my RA nurse - visit my GP or just let it take its course. My bloods came back OK last week so the elbow has just appeared - can you advise please? I also am going thro a period of not sleeping very well - ie pottering in the garden at about 5 in the morning !!! I was diagnosed almost three years ago and regularly view the site to see how everyone is getting along - even tho I dont write very often. Look forward to have some advice Jane 
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,006 Location: Timperley
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Hi Jane
I think you should ring the GP or the rheummy nurse. It sounds as if you are having a flare up of the RA. I usually have flu like symptoms and feel generally unwell before a flare-up, and this could be the same for you. I'm sure others will have some advice but, in the meantime, something cold on the elbow may help to reduce the swelling. You could also ask your GP for some Co-codamol 500/30 tablets for the pain. Take care
Jeanxx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/13/2010 Posts: 786 Location: east anglia
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hi jane, i too get the flu like feeling same as jean its awfull and my right knee swells up, i do the padding about at night any way but more so if a flare is on the go i get very restless and have been known to slow walk the dog as soon as daylight,do try an ice pack but remember to wrap in a towel or something not staight to the skin and speak to a medic,
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/20/2010 Posts: 1,749 Location: Somerset
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Hello it does sound like a flare. A call to your Gp or RA nurse would be a good idea.
Take Care
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,006 Location: Timperley
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Just wondering how you are now, Jane xxxx
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/14/2011
Posts: 38
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thank you for your advice - just to let you know the latest. I contacted my rheumatology nurse in the hospital and told her my symptoms - as last night my chest was feeling tight too so started on my inhaler just to see if that would make breathing easier. I am due to take my methotrexate Friday night - she has advised me not to take it as she feels I have an underlying infection and to contact my GP. I have seen my GP this morning who checked my throat and listened to my chest. he says I have a upper respiratory viral infection - he did not offer any medication but to take paracetamol at regular intervals, he also asked for the nurse to take bloods to check my white blood cells, I have to ring in the morning for the results - depending on what the results are he will decide whether or not I should take my methotrexate. I am really confused now - as my RA nurse says I should not take the medication whilst I have any infection but GP says I should take it - help!!!!!! We are travelling up North for the christening of our 1st grandchild this weekend and I don't want to feel really poorly - as I do sometimes l not too good after taking my meds (to be honest I dont think I will take it this Friday - has anody else been told different things from your RA nurse and GP? Jane 
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,689 Location: Durham
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Hi Jane, I was told not to take MTX if I had an infection, whether I was on antibiotics or not. My GP is very good, but usually takes his guidance from my rheumy team, who are more clued-up about RA. In view of the fact that it`s a chest infection I would certainly follow the advice of your rheumy nurse.Has your GP not prescribed an antibiotic? I hope you soon feel better, and that you enjoy the christening. Take care, Kathleen C x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,157 Location: Huddersfield
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Hi Jane,
Sorry to hear you have this infection.
My rheumy nurse always tells me not to take mtx if I have any infection so I follow her advice.
My GP never seems to know whether I should stop it or not, he asks me!
Hope you feel better soon.
Love, Doreen xx
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/20/2010 Posts: 1,749 Location: Somerset
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Hello Jane,
I was told exactly the same as Doreen. I think follow the RA advice as they are the experts.
Good luck and have a nice w end.
Rose x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/14/2011 Posts: 301 Location: South Hampshire
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Hi Jane
Sounds like all our GPs are much the same. He doesn't think I should stop any of the RA stuff if I am ill.... and he never wants to prescribe antibiotics like the rhemmy nurses said he should..... so I just tick along taking the drugs on the days that suit my social life... and managing without antibiotics, although since having RA I don't seem to get the usual colds and flu... which seems quite weird to me as we are told our immune systems are compromised! Just occasionally get an ear infection.. which I now let run its course, as I can't be bothered to wait an hour in the GP waiting room!!
Presumably you could take the MTX on Sun night or Monday after the weekend; without it causing a problem.
Hope you have a nice weekend.
Anne
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/14/2011
Posts: 38
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thanks everyone for your advice - my gp didn't prescribe any medication for my chest - whilst I had a lovely weekend with the family I didn't feel too good. I am still coughing - my elbow is still swollen not too painful but need to be careful not to lean on it or jar it. I am going to the chemist tomorrow to ask the pharmacy if they can advise what cough mixture - if any I can take. Our youngest daughter is getting married at the beginning of October and we went to church with them for the reading of the bans - I coughed and coughed so much that I end up sounding like a dog barking. I still feel extremley tired which I know is par for the course but I am really feeding fed up feeling like this !!!
sorry for the moan.
Jane
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 2,237 Location: nr Southampton
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hi
Sorry to read you are poorly. I have had a lot of troubles with elbows but for me, it goes in a blast that lasts a few months and then fades. I cant straighten either one now.
Anyway.
Treatment wise, go for hot and cold ones.
I find I can cope with the ice treatment on the elbow, bag of ice wrapped in a towel or 2.
if its red and hot, you should be checked for an infection in the joint and if not infected they can stab it with steroid. Its not the nicest injection but once you can move it then its better again.
Take care.
Jenni
PS Have you got something to wear for the wedding, we have 2 family weddings coming up, Im struggling to find anything that doesnt give everyone an eye full!!!!!how to be a velvet bulldoser
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/28/2011 Posts: 956 Location: North Preston
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Hi Jane
It sounds to me like there are 2 different problems going on. You have an infection and an RA flare in your elbow. Hopefully when the infection clears up so will your elbow. Be positive and I am sure you will feel much better for your daughter's wedding.
Sheila x
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