Hi,
I feel like I am really struggling at the moment with my RA. I am in terrible pain with my feet and hips. My hips feel as if the bones are just grating together and the pain is relentless. I was off work on the sick before Christmas, and went back on 4th of January but struggled and my head teacher said I was not fit for work. I went back to the doctor who signed me off for another two weeks and prescribed me some tramadol for the pain. At the moment I take Enbrel and Leflunomide, as well as meloxicam on a morning and amitriptyline on a night. I feel so fed up because I want to get back to work. I dont see the consultant till the 7th February but my RA nurse says I am not having a flare up according to my blood results. I am starting to feel like a fraud. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Louise

Hi Louise,

It sounds like you are having a really rough time - and I really feel for you :(.

Make sure that ask about steriod injections, even just as a temporary measure. I used to have them when I had a flare up, and they were a god send. If you dont mind me asking how old you are? Just I am new to this forum, and had terrible hip pain when I was first diagnosed in my teens, and I was unaware that young women are prone to hip damage as a result of RA.

I hope that you start to improve soon, keep at it, it will get better, try and be positive (I know its hard)

Francesca x

Hi Louise

I don't know whether it's the wintry weather or January 'blues' but a lot of us seem to be having a tough time at the moment! I went to collect my blood results today and was aghast to find that I am actually improving when I feel I am heading in the other direction! Unfortunately, being sero-negative, my bloods cannot be relied upon as they don't accurately reflect disease activity. Perhaps this is the case for others?

Like you I am on Enbrel, Leflunomide and Amitriptyline (along with naproxen, prednisolone, co-dydramol during the day and dihydrocodeine at night!) but my feet, ankles and knees are very uncomfortable as is my right hand. I don't consider myself to be in a 'flare' but certainly experiencing symptoms I can well do without! The pain is controlled except when I wake up in the middle of the night, stiff, sore and unable to move!!

One of the first noticeable symptoms of a flare is lethargy, tiredness, and difficulty sleeping. This then moves into a phase of generally feeling unwell perhaps with a temperature and non specific aches and pains. Then comes the acute pain in the joints, swelling, stiffness, the emotional roller coaster and fatigue. Sometimes it is only when we look back at the progression we realise we are in a flare. Occasionally a flare can hit dramatically with no build up and will often require intervention to bring it under control. One day everything is apparently fine, the next it is a struggle just to function!

I think if you are still in pain (even with the tramadol) you could perhaps do with something more suitable to manage it. Your GP should be able to organise this for you. It is important that you address the pain so that you are emotionally better able to deal with the ongoing RA. Sometimes it is necessary to stand back from the situation to see the way ahead more clearly. You will not be able to do your job if the RA doesn't improve so that should be your priority. Forget work for now and give yourself some time to get better without pressures from elsewhere.

We all experience the ups and downs of life with RA. Find things you can do that don't require physical exertion, reading, doing a jigsaw, making a photo album, anything you enjoy will improve your mood. Above all try to stay positive!

Hope you feel better soon,

Lyn x

P.S. Jackie's advice below is good. Do ask for X-Rays if this hasn't already been done recently. I have severe joint damage to both knees which only became apparent through MRI scans and then surgery. Worth checking, because if picked up early remedial work can be done to prolong the life of the joint. x

Thanks everyone for your support. I, like you Lyn are sero-negative so I guess my bloods cant be relied on either. I had a depo injection a month and a half ago and the effects are wearing off now so maybe that is why I am so sore. I will ask for x rays when I see the consultant in February. In the mean time I am taking the tramadol along with all the other drugs and just sitting tight and hoping for some improvement. Got major decisions to make about whether to take early retirement on the grounds of ill health from my job( i am a teacher and am 50 in October) or whether to go part time, or whether or not just to hang in there for the next couple of years. Not really sure what to do at the moment but am aware that to be off too long is very hard on my students who need me to pass their exams. Its a bit of a dilemma really and not helped by the fact that the head has promised to refer me to the authorities occupational health people and has failed to do so three times. Still hoping to feel better tomorrow.

Louise

Just want to say I have everything crossed for you on Friday Jackie. You will notice the benefit almost immediately! xxx