Pls help me, my dr thinks I have RA following a high Rheumatoid factor reading, symptoms including swollen hand joints and awful foot pain in both feet causing limping, an urgent rheumatology referral has been made.. But over the last week only one of my shoulders has started to hurt, then today it's like my shoulder symptoms exploded! Suddenly I cannot lift my arm above my waist, majorly restricted movement. My prescribed codeine isn't touching the pain... Is this RA, can it really hit that quickly? I haven't injured my shoulder at all. Thanks
Hi
thats exactly how mine was. The shoulder was in agony could not put my bra on. Came overnight then a knee swelled. Voltrol suppository was the only think that gave me a bit of mobility before i saw a consultant RA now on steroids and pain free. Do hope you see someone soon
Yes, hayleymac, it can come on that quickly. I had a shoulder flare up this weekend myself. My Norco doesn't touch it. I finally did what my doctor recommended and took 2 of my 10mg Oxycodone's and within 45 minutes 60% of the pain was gone. It was a miracle. I've never found any medication that helps a bad flare; especially the shoulders. Now I know it's the amount of medication.
My RA hit out of nowhere starting with my hand, then my feet. The shoulders came next, then the knees and hips. But looking back, what I remember most was my general feeling of exhaustion and malaise for a good year. I thought I was dying it freaked me out. Come to find out I have RA.
Sorry you're in so much pain. I have had to work with different pain meds to see what works best. And the flares come on, even when you're taking RA medication. It's unfortunate. Good luck to you! Hope you feel better soon!
I've had rheumatoid arthritis since I was 26 I'm now 46 I can't say how it is in other people but for me it came on very quickly, almost over night, one day I was fine the next I would wake up in the morning and I wouldn't be able to walk on my feet and it just got progressively worse from there pretty quick, I really hope that helps if you have any further questions I would be glad to help
Good you ve got an urgent referral .
At my first appt they gave me corticosteroid shot in backside which helped tremendously with pain. hopefully you ll get that .
My onset was like yours- very painful shoulder for 3 months followed by very painful base of thumb one morning and then a fast increase in number of joints affected over the couple of weeks waiting for my appointment( knees and shoulders particularly bad which made moving arms and walking very difficult) It s a big thing to take in- so if you can, take someone with you to the appointment .
So sorry you have this pain- it s really horrible. Hang on in there as there are meds that help, but it takes a bit of time to find out what works for each of us, so the first few months are often difficult. Hope you get some help soon.
Thank you so much for your prompt responses, it really has helped greatly. I am 34 and I feel like this is the strangest illness. One minute I have a niggle and the next minute I am completely incapacitated by pain! But with my finger joints it goes as quickly as it comes!
I feel so frightened by it... Because it is forever! I can't live with this sort of pain forever! I know when I get meds that will help... But I have 2 little boys and I don't want to be thinking about this!! Big sigh!
I was just diagnosed as well. My symptoms started mid-March. Let me say I immediately went on AIP diet and my inflammatory markers came down to normal by last week. Could just be coincidence, but I already felt much better by the time I saw the Rheumatologist. She started me on plaquenil, although I have read some Docs use multiple drugs in hopes of remission in the "window of opportunity". Everyone is different, but do inform yourself on fish oil, vitamin D, diet as well as treatment. I'm 43 with 2 young girls. I know how you are feeling. We are all here for each other.
I was just diagnosed as well . My symptons came in early Mar. The pain started on my both knees , then my ankle , then my elbow and then my shoulder. The shoulder pain is the worst. My doc puts me on MTX immediately. I changed my diet by cutting down meat mostly. Eliminated coffee too. My last CRP reading in May dropped. I don't if the diet helps or its the strong medicine that I'm taking. But the pain came back again. We have to live with this terrible illness forever. I pray for all of you hoping therewill be cure for us someday..,.
I have the same symptons as yours and among all my shoulder pain was my worst nightmare. I was just diagnosed and put on strong medicine immediately. I felt much better on somedays... But the pain will appear again. It can happen anytime and any joints. I feel tired too late bing with this horrible life long sickness. You are not alone . Just get treated early and everything will be under control ... Take care and stay positive .
Dear Buffy
Sad to hear you have it for 20 years... How are you coping with it... I was just diagonised with RA . I have been reading a lot of info about it and it is rly scary... I Hv pain here and there from time to time . I just hope it won't progess with medication . I pray for all of us.
Sia34716,
Was just dx as well. My doc started me on plaquenil. What did you start on? I'm wondering if I should ask for MTX as well as what I have read recommends hitting hard and fast with multiple drugs.
And thank you for thoughts and prayers. Prayers go a long way. I pray for all of us as well!
I started on 7.5mg of MTX... Taking it along with folic acid to reduce the side effects. Doc says that is the lowest dosage. I hope I could give you more advice... We will share our journey and fight together with this life long disease..
Pretty well overnigh, at least it did with me. One day I was fine the next I woke up with sore forearms. Over the next eight months the RA spread to fingers, thumb, forearms, elbows, upper arms, shoulders, neck, back and now lungs. Depends on the RA's aggressiveness and whether or not you stumble on the meds that work for you. Very little is known about RA, it's causes and/or treatments. Each sufferer is differenent as is each individuals response to treatments..
So I have had 2 hrs sleep and the psi is no better... Could I go to the hospital?
I don't know when I will see the rheumatologist, they only made the urgent referral last Wednesday. Will A&E be able to help with the pain? Or will the send me home to wait? Does anyone know???
Thank you for all your advice and support
Not psi meant to say Pain
Before I was referred to the Rhumatologist, the GP gave me painkillers to ease my pain. Even my Rhumatologist told me panadol could help. Sometimes I tried applying some essential oil for pain relief too. Do not stay in a position for too long, I find excercise or by just slowly moving around will temporarily help the pain. It prevents stiffness too.
I was in severe pain for 3 months and pain killers were barely helping. My rheumatologist said I have severe RA and must be treated aggressively because of the pain and off the chart high inflamation markers. My joints, feet and muscles hurt all the time. I am still in shock that I can be okay and 3 months later I'm severely sick and on high risk medicine. But I'm told it's the norm for RA and life will go back to normal once the doctor gets the best balance for me.
Yes, I'm afraid it can. And shoulders are common starting points. It was for me too. You are lucky your GP has recognised the need for an urgent rheumatologist referral.
Hope your pain eases soon, my sister has RA, has had it 2 years...recently read about VITD which she had never been tested for, not even by Rheumie at hospital, doctor did it, she was severly low on VITD, tablets have helped a bit with pain, but they have really helped a lot with the fatigue....make sure you`re tested! Good luck....