Hi All,
Seems ages since I wrote anything but the past six months have been really very difficult.
I have now changed consultant as I was really getting no treatment. even my GP had sent them a strong letter, which I might add they
responded to within four days - and two of those were weekend! The upshot of that visit was - 'it's not active, there's no need to change medication and there's
no need to bring your appointment forward!'

So I changed with the blessing of my GP. I went to see the new doctor and my DAS28 score was 5.85, indicative of active RA. I nearly wept with relief when she confirmed
my belief that I wasn't being appropriately treated. I was almost at a standstill.
My joints were so hot and swollen I could hardly move my hands, my feet were the same as were my shoulders. I couldn't get any shoes on because my feet were so swollen and painful.
However I did end up looking 'trendy' as I had to buy a pair of 'Vans' canvas pumps!!

First thing a got was a systemic steroid injection, that has brought amazing relief and soon I am to start on Leflunamide but this has to be done via the consultant
as the GP is unable (due to their shared care protocol) to support me with this for six months.

I would be grateful for any background experience anyone has had with this drug. Also it's a month since I had the
injection and I'm beginning to get some sore joints again - from your personal experience, how long do these injections
last?

Hi Gogs,

I`m pleased you have changed consultants and are now getting appropriate treatment. I, too, changed hospitals and therefore consultants in an effort to get the best treatment - like you this was with my GP`s blessing : indeed it was his suggestion.


Having had several steroid injections, I have found they do bring almost instant relief, but their longevity does seem to vary - sometimes they have given me a "top up" dose, but generally they don`t like to repeat them in smaller gaps than about 3 months. I had two in close succession in August, but still have pain and inflammation, so this time clearly they haven`t been terribly successful. If your RA has been rampant, it will take time to calm down. Are you taking any NSAIDs, such as Naproxen, Diclofenac? These may help.

I`m probably not the best one to ask about Leflunomide - it didn`t work for me, and I had to stop it after a few months as it began to play havoc with my liver. That`s not to say you will be the same - plenty of people do very well on it, and I hope it will be of benefit to you. You should be having your bloods monitored every two weeks at the start, so they can gauge progress.

Take care, and let us know how you get on,

Kathleen x

Thanks so much for your input - all knowledge is valuable!

This last steroid injection seems to be lasting a very short time - 3+ weeks. Admittedly my joints are not as painful but
I am still a bit rough until early afternoon. That said at least I can move about!

I had a letter from the previous hospital I was at (I'm keeping my respiratory consultant as he seemed OK) yesterday it
informed me that my next appointment (due mid November) had been postponed until next March!!
I was furious - the last time I saw him was February, and in May I saw a trainee. That would have meant no consultant review
in fourteen months. Fired up I immediately got on the phone (soon as the fire had died down I'd have done nothing), spoke to one of the secretaries
and got it put back to the 25th November - so what was that all about!! Ah well alls well that ends well