Thank you all for your kind replies.
The pain is a little easier today. I did not sleep very well at all last night as my hips are also giving me jip
About five weeks ago I went for my normal Methotrexate blood test and it flashed up on the computer I had not had my blood pressure take this year and therefore the nurse said it needed to be done. He did it, and did it again and did it again. He said my blood pressure was really high for me, normally 120/90 but was 150/102. He said it could just be I was a bit stressed or because I had been rushing from work. He told me to have it done again at my next blood test.
This morning I went along for my blood test thinking at least the inflammation I am experiencing in my joints will be shown on the blood test for the RA team to look at. Had my blood pressure taken, and taken again, and taken again. It is now 160/102. The nurse said I had better book in and see the doctor as soon as possible. So I went out to Reception and nearly fell over in shock when they offered me an appointment for tonight.
Duly arrived at the doctors tonight and went in to see a lovely Scottish lady doctor (first time I had seen her). She took my blood pressure on one arm and then on the other arm and the blood pressure was still the same as this morning. She said I could just be worked up because I had been told my blood pressure was high. I mentioned the jaw pain and she said it could either be connected to the high blood pressure or the RA. Anyway I now have a blood pressure monitor to test my blood pressure four times a day over the next two weeks. If it continues to be elevated then she will talk to me about medication.
Whilst I was there I mentioned that I had been feeling very uncomfortable "down below". I have previously had two prolapse bowel and bladder operations and the last time the surgeon "trussed me up" he said they would never fall down again. I thought maybe I had piles (not something I had ever had before). The doctor told me to hop on the couch and she would have a look. After a long examination both front and back she told me to get dressed. When I sat down again she said the good news is that I do not have piles .............. the bad news is that I have a prolapsed bowel and bladder again.
. I had to have a hysterectomy 15 years ago, the year after my Daughter was born, as I had a very complicated birth which caused a lot of damage. Without the womb my bowel and bladder have nothing to support them. Because I have already been operated on twice, the third round would be very complicated. I am going to stay with the discomfort for as long as I can as I cannot face any more surgery at the moment.
So the week started with a pain in my jaw and has gone downhill from there. Really the pain in the jaw is nothing compared to what else is now going on.
Rebecca - in answer to your question on medication, I am on Methotrexate, Naproxen and the anti-tnf Simponi. The doctor does wonder if the Simponi is also causing high blood pressure, so again this may need to be looked into. I have been on the Simponi for about six months (having failed on three other anti-tnf's) and it worked ok in the beginning but I am flaring more as the months go by. I am due to go back and see the RA Consultant in February and really there is not a lot else they can offer me as I had a massive reaction when they gave me a Rituximab infusion and I have been through all the ant-tnf's.
On the bright side, it is the weekend and I am going to put my feet up and not think about health.
Hope you all have a good weekend.
Jackie
xx
