Rheumatism- Struggling with so many everyday things any tips?

[Afteebaiv]

a silly question I guess it’s just that I seem to take a few steps forward then flare up[s] set me back for days on and off and sometimes I’m too down to start catching up before it all starts again. After reduced going out in lockdown I struggled to get back out there. I’m trying to look forward to warmer days for walks and gardening but fearing I may end up with another year passing me by. How do you manage, anyone been there?

I feel this, been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis 6 months, such a severe onset that I've been put onto biologic drugs as well as hydroxychloroquine and currently prednisolone whilst we wait to see if biologics work. Been 5 weeks so far and Nada. I have a 2 year old too, so I have to ask for help a lot, I can't use my hands or wrists before lunch time so she has to stay in her pj's until then, and my partner has to make us breakfast etc. Ready before he leaves for work.
I've bought aids to cope, jar openers, electric can opener, hot water dispenser vs. Kettle and can't lift a kettle. I also have an electric blanket and a heat pad I use often, but I take naproxen & codiene multiple time daily to be able to function.

Have you been able to work out your flare triggers? Mine are alcohol, tiredness, any sort of illness and stress. So basically constantly flaring here lol 😆

My nurse has said to me that there is so many meds available now that something should work for everyone, do you maybe need a medication review?

Sending hugs though, I spent many hours growing fruit veg and flowers in my garden last year, only for it to look awful come autumn when I couldn't even use secateurs! 🙈

nelliepig sorry only just replying after you took the time to reply, I am going through a bad flare up which started yesterday (the reason I thought to start the thread before it became a memory again). At the start it was very severe but the meds help for so long but it’s been too long since my consultant appointments due to covid then them catching up I think. I’ve been on methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine for nearly four years now (peri what’s it and steroid injections before that). It’s the uncertainty and the continual coping that I think has dragged me down. When the children needed me more (ours are older) it was sometimes impossible not to seek help but now I can rest and get down at the mountain of things not being finished so I want to try again bu5 then another flare up means I go backwards faster than forwards.

You need a biologic. As well as minimising the pain, it will stop the disease permanently damaging your joints. I'm on Benepali and it's been working well for years.