Arthritis

[CattyBrown]

I am really really suffering at the minute with sudden onset inflammatory arthritis.

Within 12 weeks I've developed it in;
Jaw
Wrists
Fingers
Thumb
1 x hip
1 x knee
Both ankles
Both feet

My wrists & feet are the worst. The pain NEVER stops. The only pain relief I can take is Co Co-Codamol which does nothing.

It's making my depression worse as I can't do anything without being in pain, the only respite I get is when I'm asleep & struggling to even do that I'm grumpy and tired and nothing is getting done in the house fire you DH working & not doing much on his days off as he's tired.

I've got to wait at least 6 week for occupational therapy and physio appts.

Feel soooooo bloody fed up

Mine (psoriatic arthritis) appeared almost overnight last year, and has gotten worse and worse since.

And I was also depressed before it, referred to cmh and they basically said, its cause youre ill. Helpful.

Have you been referred to a rheumatologist?

Hey. Yes I've been referred, my next appointment is 16th Jan. I've had a. steroid injection but it has only helped my hip.

My consultant said it's very difficult to diagnose whether I have PA or RA so Sudden onset inflammatory is her diagnosis.

My anti-depressants have been increased to their maximum dose 2 weeks ago

Does anyone who is a long time sufferer have any tips. I'm so so grumpy with the kids, even though they know what's wrong, but, I feel so damned guilty and always on the verge of years

I'm grumpy and I cry a lot and feel awful for my kids too :(

My only tip would be, don't try to do too much, accept that you need to do a lot less than you are used to. And make the most of it on good days.

Not sure I'm the best to be giving advice though, I just threw my hoover downstairs in a strop because I hurt myself.

Not nearly as bad as anything either of you have to deal with, but I have an arthritic hip and neck/shoulder pain issues from having mild scoliosis and bad posture.
Alexander Technique has helped me a lot; I was envisioning using a stick when I was diagnosed 2 years ago, but the hip just niggles me now and I'm hoping the shoulder will ease off soon.
A bit of info here.
And here.

catty, you need a strong anti inflammatory (and stomach protecting med).you need to take every day for cumulative effect.on top of this I swear by max dose paracetamol daily topped up with codeine (the single med no paracetamol) as needed. gentle movement daily, even a short shuffle about is better than nothing.

the main thing is to keep on top of the pain and try not let it build up and wear you down.with the kids tell them you are sore, maybe allow more screentime etc. It's very very difficult, you are allowed to be annoyed and angry and Pissed off. be kind to yourself and just do your best. that's the motto I live by these days. I have psoriatic arthritis, never quite under control.

hopefully Rheumatology will help you get it under control soon.

I have had done improvement on dmards, sulfasalazine and methotrexate. main problem is now my spine and I'm too have another mri and potentially anti tnf. is this all googledegook or did the Rheumatology people mention dmards? , you are at least in the system, that's the first hurdle over

Ask about oral steroids or a steroid pulse. Phone advice line and ask for help.

I found anti inflammatories plus co codamol very helpful for psoriatic arthritis! But the rheumatologist suggested a lot of the other drugs mentioned above which are supposed to be very effective!. I didn't find physio great as they just gave me exercises which were too painful to do !

At least you're on the right track and have an appointment sorted ! It gets so tiring / frustrating and I completely empathise . Good luck at the rheumatologist :) sending my sympathy!

Oh I meant to say ice packs work for me sometimes for some temporary relief !