What happens with rheumatoid arthritis?

@lovelilies I have those, they are fab! Can I suggest pairing with alpaca socks. The combination is amazingly toasty warm so much that it makes the rest of you feel warmer.

These cashmere wrist warmers from eBay (turtle doves seconds- unnoticeable faults though!) are amazing for wrist pain

According to my rheumatologist (head of department at a huge hospital) - most biologics are very safe for covid as they only target one tiny bit of the immune system. But there are a couple of older ones which are problematic.

I have had rheumatoid arthritis for years. I was put straight on a biologic called Cimzia when I was diagnosed aged 31. I self inject every 3 weeks.

I went from immobile and in agony ( think couldn't lift a cup of tea, couldn't walk really, couldn't raise my arms high enough above my head to put my hair in a ponytail etc) to pain free within weeks. It's the only thing I take.

I've had Covid whilst taking this medication and 6 months pregnant and had a snotty nose for 2 days.

I see a rheumatologist every 3months and have been in remission since I started on the medicine.

Only thing is, I am in Spain where the healthcare is significantly better than in the UK. But maybe if you push for her she might get access to biologic treatment. I cannot overstate how life changing it has been. I couldn't believe it. I had no idea what living without pain was like and I can only describe the feeling as euphoric.

OP if your mil is going dizzy she needs to see a doctor or anp. She may have underlying issues with heart or blood pressure. Going dizzy increases the risk of falls. Many falls result in further complications to health. She may also benefit from a calcium supplement to help protect her bones.

These are two very mild drugs, the step after them not working is methotrexate, and then the biologics. She needs to realise that doing nothing is so much worse, she doesn't have the option of no disease + no drugs.

I'm on both a biologic and methotrexate, before the biologics were available I took methotrexate, sulphasalazine and hydroxiquine - no muscle wastage, well monitored. A few years off to have children and I managed to acquire permanent joint damage. Obviously my kids were worth it but what on earth is she gaining with the martyr act, even having high levels of inflammation can cause heart damage, much worse than the side effects she might not even get, that they'll be looking for.

Can you find her a good nurse practitioner to talk to about it, reassure her. She's clearly too scared of the drugs but not scared enough of the disease.

@Pinkypong seeing insects crawling when not there is something that my mum has had with her dementia.
She doesn't see them all the time but when particularly confused when she had a UTI.

Sympathies @Pinkypong I have RA myself and I’m in my early 30s. I’m on a biologic that wasn’t even available 5 years ago so treatments really are changing all the time.

could you speak to her GP and request a home visit? It sounds like there’s more than just RA going on here.

The DMARDS she's on do not make her particularly more at risk re covid (or anything else). I'm on hydroxychloroquine and work in ED and have had covid twice. At the beginning there was concern that we were immunosuppressed but now it's OK, only really biologics that suppress the immune system enough to make it v risky. Even then- it's a balance. Being hols up for 3 years when already fragile isn't going to do her MH any good at all.

Won't she listen is a dr tells her she's safe to go outside? To meet up with you? Sounds like she needs a professional to tell her the facts so she stops scaremongering herself

@Pinkypong do you mean "specialist nurse", these are common in rheumatology and can be very good.
At my last hospital I had a specialist nurse and rheumatologist. I'm at a smaller hospital now and just have a rheumatologist but can access the specialist nursing team who are really good at answering medication questions or getting me a rheumatologist appointment if there is a problem outside of my general checkups

Hi, I also have RA. Take a look at the NRAS website and as others have said Versus Arthritis. Both may have helplines you can call for advice. They used to have exercise advice too. I find if I don’t move I do seize up when more. She is likely to have joint damage now from the RA too. Her rheumy team should have a helpline you can call. Sometimes you need to make a fuss. If they don’t hear from you they assume you’re ok. A short course of steroids may help and they can give a depo steroid injection too. They could also get a referral to an OT who would check their house and advise on things like a wet room/shower stool/grip rails etc if they haven’t got them.

She shouldn't stop without the advice of a rheumatologist - she risks everything flaring up even worse.

Basically she needs a rheumatology review - options may be limited if she already has permanent damage, plus physio - and to then actually do the exercises.

She needs actual drugs, not turmeric, and if she's not seeing a rheumatologist for years at a time, she's not taking anything.

Nobody should be enabling her to self diagnose Lyme disease as an excuse for not getting treated. She needs to see a doctor asap, this is an inflammatory condition with a wealth of great treatments. The osteo is what happens when you carry on with inflamed joints and bullshit herbalist nonsense. One course of steroids would feel miraculous to her.

It's a tough one.
If she has joint damage, medication isn't going to fix that however she should be able to access pain meds and meds to reduce further damage. She also probably should also try and see an occupational therapist.
They can often suggest equipment and aids that really help with everyday life. Slide sheets and seat swivels can help with beds and cars.
If she can access hydrotherapy that also may give her some pain free time which will help with her moods (it's exhausting being in pain on top of the fatigue that comes with RA.
I've had RA for more than 20yrs and have been through some tough times and better times and I think that there is good care out there and help available but unfortunately you do need to shout to get it. I suspect more so if you are older to avoid it being dismissed as 'old age'
Even with joint damage getting the right orthotics and supports can help with pain and movement. A year ago I had serious foot pain that limited my ability to walk due to damaged toe joints, new orthotics and shoes have greatly reduced that and now I only have intermittent pain and can walk again. The damage is still there but it's now supported correctly.

Hi everyone.I have been having burning pain in my knees and elbows.My gp did a blood test and everything came normal except esr and ra factor.Esr 26 and ra 15.I am having another appointment with him tomorrow to discuss the results.So I have been Google it and I am depressed.Has anyone know anything about increased risk of lymphoma in people with RA?I am really anxious person.Please help