So sorry to hear things haven't really moved on health wise Barbie - I hope the GP has some luck in getting your appointment brought forward. I can't believe your heating has packed up on a night like this. Will you still be able to work tomorrow if it's not back on. Will be thinking of you and hoping you are wrapped up warm.

Julie

Hi Barbs

ahh sounds like some good from gp appointment but not what youd hoped for so sorry u suffering so much.
and no heating great.
are u in own house or council as council are obliged to provide fan heater for you in such cold when there heating gone wrong did that for us once.
does mean u have go to housing office to collect one though!
sorry hun try put on extra layers stay in warm room as much as u can.
hope they mend it soon for you all.
lv melly

So sorry for this Barbara.

You do need more pain relief and perhaps different meds especially for the job you do.

I know exactly how it feels to wake up in the morning and know you have to care for little children all day long.

Many prayers,

Amanda

Hang on in there Barbs. I not surprised to hear you're fed-up - having to deal with constant pain is exhausting to say the least, and on top of everything only one heater to heat your house, is really not on.

I hope your rheumy reviews your meds as your current treatment on MTX appears not to be working. I think you and I are in a similar boat and have not had the illness for long? and believe it can be tricky at first to treatment established, and one that works.

Love,

Barbara
XXXXXX

Thanks for all your replies, much appreciated. Our heating came on this afternoon!!! Just hoping it stays on, been off since Saturday, they couldnt find what was wrong, but now said it was underground pipes were blocked.
Regarding the rheumy stuff, I know I cant expect miracles, but the ESR is 66 at last appt, so must be inflamation there, wont even give me NSAIDs as I have asthma, although controlled, and never use the reliever pump. My GP thinks I am too accepting of what they tell me, but its hard when you see a junior doctor, its not their fault, and sometimes they look terrified! She also asked me if I wanted to continue workikng, I said yes as long as I can physically do it, as I dont want to be home all the time, I want to feel useful. She did suggest to cut back, which is fair enough, and one set of parents dont know the full extent of the RA yet, (even without the other symptoms) as I only have him 2 days usually, it hasnt affected my days with him so far. Do you think I am being too optimistic? I know I have to be realistic, and and cant expect miracles with the treatment, but I honestly thought I would feel a little better by now, in fact I am worse!! More pain and swelling than when I was diagnosed.
Thanks for the prayers Amanda, you are all so kind!!!
Hope the snow isnt too bad where you all are, here in London its just about 2 inches now (sorry not into cms) so its ok til it freezes over!!

Hi, glad your heating is working again, it isn't the weather to be without heating!! I am suprised you are not being offered more treatment. Do you take anyone with you to the appts? Sometimes this can help. I hope you get some more treatment soon.

Maybe the helpline could offer you some advice on how to get more help?
Deb x

Hi ya Barbs gee glad the daft lot got your heating fixed since saturday thats bad hun.
did you say u only see junior doctor.
id been having that aswell so last time i went when junior doc started all daft questions i got cross lol you got be firm im afraid .
so praying they give you more dmards to help you.
def reduce workload arrange meeting with parents both sets and explain situ.
sure they can come to an agreement of some sort.

Inflammation somewhere what"!"!!
load rubbish they need do more accurate assesment to show where gr makes me so cros see u treated like this.
sorry u feeling so rough.
hugs Melly

Hi Barbara,

Time to kick ar.. with your rheumy. I have asthma, use a puffer, and have had emergency admissions because of it. Now I may not be on any treatment at the moment, but have taken NSAIDs and not experienced any problems with my asthma. However, appreciate that it might be different for you. I'm glad you're going to talk to your rheumy, as you really need a better treatment management plan for your RA. My rheumy keeps on telling me that there is no reason why a person with RA should give up work, if they're treatments right.

Glad the house is warming up,

Love,

Barbara
XXXXXX

Thanks everyone, its good to be able to say what I feel on here, its quite hard at home as my hubby has RA too, but has been lucky with the sulphazine, it works well for him, he just gets a bit stiff. Due to that I think its hard to understand that I am not so lucky with my treatment. Its getting harder to use the stairs and get up and down on the floor for the little ones. Maybe I should just call it quits, but dont want to give up just yet.