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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/14/2010
Posts: 9
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I feel a bit silly asking this because I know many of you are in continual pain, had joint replacements etc.
I was diagnosed about 7 years ago and I have to say on the whole I have been incredibly lucky in comparison to many of other RA sufferers. I live with discomfort all the time as in stiffness, anaemia, fatigue etc but just accept it and get on with it. Some days are better than others. I teach young special needs children, so my job is physically and mentally challenging. I am on limited reserves towards the end of a half term, in fact in the last week of the last term I wanted to cry at the thought of having to drag myself out of my bed. I then use the weekends and holidays to recover. I tend to suffer from stiffness rather than pain hence the reason I say I am lucky. However for the past 5 weeks I have had continual pain and stiffness in my ankles, one in particular and at the end of the day it is very swollen and sore. I had hoped it would settle down in the holidays but it hasn’t. As soon as I spend any time on it up it balloons and I limp around. I am not sure how easy I will manage feeling like this at the beginning of the term. I am on sulphasalazine, plaquinel and diclofenic. I take ibuprofen and use the ibuprofen gels etc. I see my consultant every 6-12 months but I have never been given any information as to how to get advice in between or do I go to my GP?
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009
Posts: 302
Location: Rainham Kent
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It sounds as though you need to get a review of your treatment. You could go to your G.P. or ring the consultants secretary on Tuesday.
Either way get advice as you are in a responsible job with children who won't understanding your problems (let alone your colleages) Take responsibilty for yourself first. I say this from similar experience in a similar job. Talk to HR if necessary, your health is as important as anyone else's and to your family even more so. don't be a martyr.
Sorry if I sound harsh but have been there and got the tee shirt. They soon replaced me when I called it a day and once your year group have moved on life will be different. Anne
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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/14/2010
Posts: 9
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Hi Anne thanks for your comments. I do think I am pretty balanced and totally agree that my health comes first. However for financial reasons I need to work for as long as I possibly can. I guess my problem is I have forgotten or don't know how I am supposed to feel so hence I soldier on not really knowing if I can feel better than this or is this it? My consultant always seems quite dismissive because don't have joint damage other than normal age and wear. I did voice some concerns to HR at Xmas and I didn't find them supportive at all.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,110 Location: London
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Hi its really odd reading this post, as I am having the same problems myself, and as you have, I continued to carry on as normal. I am on mtx and hydroxychloroquine, with tramadol and paracetemol. I see my consultant in two weeks time. I also used to work with special needs children in a special school as a sentior support assistant. As you say its very physical, and so I asked for part time work, but was informed that it would be bad for continuity for the pupils. I definitiely agree with Anne, go and see the gp, and maybe even ask for an earlier appt at the clinic. I hope you get some help, and feel better soon, take care  BARBARA
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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/14/2010
Posts: 9
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Thank you Barbara. I love my job but I am beginning to worry it will get too much. The thing is, in special schools its true the children do need continuity, more so than in mainstream. Unfortunately I saw my rheumatology nurse a few weeks ago just at the onset and I'm not due back until Oct. Its always the way isn't it? I never seem to be too bad when I see them.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 714
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The first thing I would do is get yourself some decent pain killers on prescription. If you are in pain then this will drag you down both mentally and physically. I always just took Paracetemol and had to admit to defeat in the end and moved onto Tramadol a morphine based pain killer. It did take me a while to get used to but I have found it has helped me enormously in trying to get through a full time job. My RA is very bad and I have just had a knee replacement but like you for financial reasons I need to keep on working.
It also sounds as if you need your treatment re-assessed and if you can get hold of your RA department that would be good otherwise speak to your GP.
You say your Consultant says you do not have much joint damage. They thought this with me. The x-ray of my knee indicated that my knee joint was worn but the Consultant said he was shocked when he operated at how worn it was and how much inflammation I had. He says that RA does eat from the inside out so joint damage is not always evident from an xray.
I also get really bad ankle pain. It is like horrendous tooth ache. The one thing that really helps me and also the swelling is ice packs. Get a bag of ice and wrap it in a damp tea towel and try that for about ten minutes on either side of the ankle. I find it is really good in reducing the pain and swelling.
I hope you get something sorted soon.
Take care
Jackie
xx
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 2,127
Location: Thornton Cleveleys
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Hi  As others have already said at the first opportunity you need to speak with rheumatology for a review of medication. The symptoms you describe, continual pain and inflammation, are signs of active RA and suggest that current meds are no longer working effectively. As you have a rheumatology nurse she would be your first port of call and then perhaps she will refer you for an earlier appointment to the consultant. It may only take a few minor adjustments here and there but do please seek their advice. More appropriate/effective pain relief will help temporarily but don't rely on it long term as you could be leaving yourself open to long term damage. Hope things improve for you soon, Lyn x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 312
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Hello,
Just read your post and felt a lot of sympathy as my left ankle has been swelling up
by the end of the day if I do very much walking on it and feels painful and stiff at times too!
I am Fiona and have had R.A for about 16 years or so.
I am now 54.
I am on Plaquenil.
Generally, I just hope to God that symptoms will eventually settle down - but I don't work
and my kids are all grown up and left home.
Rest can help an awfull lot - but with working it gets more difficult.
I hope your ankles get better again soon.
Best wishes,
Fiona
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,689 Location: Durham
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I had very painful ankles, which used to swell up and give me real problems walking.Having proper orthotic insoles helped to alleviate the problem - my ankles are still not great, but better than they were.My rheumy also told me to wear a very supportive shoe, or better still, ankle boots. OK for winter, but in summer I want my sandals!!!!!! Kathleen C x
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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/14/2010
Posts: 9
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Thank you for all your comments. .....so i'm not alone in the ankle pain. I think if I was at home I could bear it but being in a job I rarely get chance top sit down in it does get me down. I have a good threshold for pain but the description of horrendous toothache was a good description. I've rested most of the weekend but back to work on Tuesday ugh!!!
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