Adult services/support PSA

[HavingAMinute]

Hi everyone.

I'm in a bit of a pickle and looking for some advice.

Backstory:

Recently saw Rheum due to swelling, stiffness and pain in joints, plus fatigue. Had a big flare, off work and unable to drive or function.

They suspected inflammatory arthritis (psoriatic likely)

I had an IM steroid injection and started sulfasalazine due to not being ideal for Methotrexate as I'd hoped to try to conceive soon.

Steroid was amazing but I reacted to the Sulfasalazine so that was stopped.

Seeing them again in 3 weeks to try the next medication and have another steroid.

The previous steroid has now stopped working and I am in agony. I take naproxen twice a day and codeine too. But with my wrists, knee, fingers etc all being so stiff and swollen and painful I can't manage to do anything. I have a 3 year old who I am the sole parent of and get support from family. I couldn't chop a bloody vegetable if I tried (which to be honest my three year old feels fine about) but more so I can't turn on the tap, pull my jeans up or get a bra on.

I'm 31 and part of me is furious that I am in this position when last year I was fine. But the other larger part of me needs to get some stuff in place to manage our lives better and let me be the parent I want to be.

I couldn't lift the kettle for a cup of tea today and let's be honest.. tea is required for functioning!

So, anyone with any inflammatory arthritis or similar conditions..

What help is out there? What can I do for myself to function in less pain (or at all really).

Any services or aids you've found invaluable?

I have heard of wrist splints etc being helpful for driving etc but wouldn't know where to start in getting some.

Thank-you!

Hi
I noticed you had not got any replies. I have had inflammatory arthritis for 18 months and yet to get the flipping thing under control, Have you tried calling 'Versus Arthritis' which is a good source of advice.
Hope you feel better soon.
I feel for you at such a young age and with parenting responsibilities.
All the very best

Hi! Thank you, and sorry to hear you're also struggling to get things under control. I am now 5 weeks into Methotrexate injections. Managing the side effects okay and I've had a couple of good days. Though this may have been a coincidence because today's been pretty bad as things go.
I did manage to get the occupational therapy team out to assess who gave lots of support and put some aids in place.
It all felt very odd but honestly they've definitely helped so I'll take what I can get.
It still feels like a bit of a roller coaster but I'm hopeful that things can go up from here.
I hope you manage to get everything under control soon. It's tough trying to manage it all, let alone when things aren't helping.
All the best.