I've just returned from seeing the OT and what a thorough examination she gave me. I was a bit skeptical about what she could do for me as I don't work and I'm fully mobile at the moment, but wow was I mistaken!

She did a load of measurements that will form the baseline for the future changes, and confirmed what I already knew, that I've got pretty good movement in my hands but my grip strength is a lot less than it used to be. We talked about the importance of using the full range of movements or risk losing functionality as the RA attacks - apparently the knuckle area is likely to be most affected. Then she showed me a series of 11 exercises just for the hands! I need to do them daily with as many as 5 repetitions spread across the day, paying especial attention to doing them fully rather than quickly, and I laughed and said they are very similar to my tai chi exercises. She agreed that tai chi is highly recommended for arthritis sufferers and is especially good for balance in her view. So now I'm going to make time every day to do my full tai chi workout (which takes about 30 mins) and add in these 11 extra elements. I might even show my tai chi instructor because I'm sure they would be interesting for him to reflect on.

And we talked about me wanting to go back to work - she warned me to be careful not to overdo things, but as I'm only going to apply for office jobs she emphasised the need to be flexible and to move around rather than sit for long durations at a desk! I'm not sure if I'll be able to cope with increased fatigue, but I'm trying to get increasingly organised at home and intend to use the extra money to pay for more help in house and garden so that I'll be able to rest in the evenings. I'm not sure if I'm being realistic about going back to work as I'm 54 and have been at home for nearly 3years now, but I do know that I'm feeling loads better finally and am feeling a bit restless and want to do something valuable again - I'll never be able to go back to my original career in IT, but I left that 6 years ago, for family reasons with nothing to do with RA (which I didn't have back then), but I've still got work skills so I really want to give it a go. (oops I'm waffling on)

And that wasn't all - apparently they also run a gadgets group - and she's booked me in tomorrow at 11am to follow on after I see the physio. This week I'll have had 5 NHS appts - bloods; pneumonia jab, OT, physio and now gadgets too!!! - what amazingly good service, I feel very well cared for.

I really liked her and I think I boosted her too, because she said that I was a "model patient" because I actually try to do all the things that I'm told to do - I assumed that's what all patients do, but apparently it's not always so

Anyway thanks for reading my waffle - Sylvia xx

Hi Sylvia,

Did your GP or rheumatologist refer you to OT? Your OT assessment sounds brilliant and very thorough.

I went to a one off physio appointment about 6 weeks ago now. She told me the importance of maintaining full range of movement and taught me 2 hand exercises to do several times a day.

My workplace have been very supportive since my diagnosis of RA in May. I've had occupational health review (doctor and nurse). This led to an ergonomics assessment resulting in me being provided with a light touch computer keyboard and an ergonomic computer mouse - the mouse sits sideways on and looks odd, but it relaxes my shoulder and elbow into a more natural position with less stress on the joints- its brilliant!!!

Wishing you all the best in your job hunting.

Lottie xx

Hi Sylvia and Naomi, glad to hear that you are being looked after so well. I'm also interested to hear who referred you both to an O.T.
I have never had a proper hand assessment done in all the 5-6 yrs that I have had R'A'.
The rheumy nurse always does a das check when I have app.s and when I have asked about x-ray results she just says there is some corrosion here and there which sounds as though I'm a bit rusty!
I can see damage in my hands, lumps and bumps that should not be there, strangely more noticable in the mirror, and some movement is gone.
Just wondering, did you ask to be referred or were you asked if you wanted to be. Hand exercises must help I guess.
I have had OT to assess my home for hand rails etc. but asked for that when I was struggling a while back.
Thanks for posting Zena xx.

Hi all - my OT is called Nicky - is she the same for you Naomi? Apparently at Torbay it is standard for new RA patients to get a multi-disciplinary team assessment - OT, Physio and Podiatrist.

I saw the physio today (Mark) and he's given me a leaflet from Arthritis Research, and he confirmed that tai chi is recommended for all forms of arthritis. He wants me to get my confidence back about taking more exercise and says that I should gradually get back into taking classes regularly and start going to the gym again. Before I got really ill, each week I used to do aqua-fit, low impact aerobics for the over-50's (I was the youngest!!!!), row-fit on the rowing machines, tai chi as well as 30 minutes at the gym most days, but eventually it was all too painful so I stopped everything. But recently I've been wanting to get back into regular exercise, but I wanted to talk to the physio first and get some advice - so he said that yes I should do more, but only do a little more and avoid anything that hurts or makes me too tired and then build up gradually. So I'm definitely going to get started again. I'll let you know how it goes!

I'll do a separate thread about the gadget clinic - that was really interesting.

Naomi - that's annoying - perhaps you need to remind them because it sounds as though they've forgotten. To be honest I didn't find the podiatrist very useful, but perhaps that's just me.

Sylvia xx

I really want to see an OT after reading all these messages! Will try speaking to my doctor about it on Wed as having a review appt for pain medication, and don't get to see my rheumy till Jan now! Think it would really help me as my biggest problem is my hands. Ive read various things about needing to protect your joints and use them in the right way, but theres nothing better than someone actually showing you how to do this :)