Updates.....

Well I haven't been on here for a while and so have a few updates.... 

Firstly, anniversary holiday to Spain was lovely. The journey there was uncomfortable and my hips were agony when we arrived but then three days in the sun was just bliss, pain free and lovely to just be able to sit and read in the sun! 

When we arrived home I phoned the hospital, as I was told in January when I saw the consultant that he would see me in three months, well the three months is up and I've heard nothing and was told I'd have to just wait my turn. 

I have withdrawn from the masters (MEd) module I was attempting to do, it's a loss of money which is a pain but I am just not up to it at the moment. I am still suffering badly from fatigue and could quite easily sleep all day some days, so reading anything (least of all education research stuff) just wasn't happening. 

I have returned to work, after 2 months off, and still hate it. I feel like they just want to get rid of me but I am determined not to make it easy for them. I am currently trying to work out what I could do instead, and do have one idea that I am working on - slowly! 

Last week was very painful, I woke on Monday with a sore throat, swollen glands and very stiff neck. It lasted until Wednesday, though one of the glands in my neck is still enlarged. On Thursday evening my shoulder flared, badly. I had an awful nights sleep, waking every time I rolled over but got up, took my NSAID's and hoped they would ease it somewhat during the day. Even driving to work, just having the seatbelt resting on my shoulder was horrible. I battled through the day, unable to use my right arm, carry my bag on my shoulder or open doors. When I got home i phoned the doctors, who called back within 20 minutes and prescribed me painkillers over the phone. At last I have got painkillers too, I knew it would get to this point, and they have been a life saver. I took 2 straight away and the relief was just amazing. I love Co-Codamol!! 

It's still niggling a little tonight (too much typing!) so I will dose myself up before bed and hope for a pain free week! 

Still here and still in pain......

RA is weird, I have come to that conclusion.

Some days I feel great...

'Normal'

And then others, I really struggle.

I have had days when I get up out of bed and then retreat to the sofa, and fall asleep!

My pain, is okay at the moment. Again, there are good days and bad.

The pain in my hips and knees hasn't shown it's face for a while but instead it has migrated to my feet and my hands and wrists.

I was signed off work for two months...... two months of rest and relaxation (if you call looking after a 2 year old R & R!).

Last week moors-daddy and I went off on our adventure to Spain for four days. It was heaven, warm and sunny.  For the time we were there I sat by the pool, reading, I read two books cover to cover, that's more than I've read in the last 6 months!!

On my return home, I have returned to work.

My feet by the end of the day are killing me. The pain today throughout the whole of the base of my foot.

I have deferred my Masters course, as I just can't do it at the moment and struggle to complete anything on it, one weight off my shoulders.

And as for the consultant saying at the end of January that he'd see me in 3 months, well here I am and as of yet I have received no letter so I am assuming the NHS's 3 months is more likely to be 6.  A phone call is required me thinks!!

Still not convinced!

I am still not sure, maybe that's just me being in denial hopeful.

Is this really RA?

My pain seems to have gotten better. My hips and knees haven't hurt for ages. My fatigue is better, though still apparent and some days are definitely better than others.  I get complacent when the pain vanishes for a day or two. I forget to take my NSAID's when I feel no pain, and then a couple of days later Wham - there it is again!

Yesterday (Wednesday) was my first day alone since I've been off work, a day to get on with stuff around the house, a bit of uni work........ but I felt awful, had little energy to do anything and in the end opted for the nap.  When I woke up the pain in my shoulder had returned, I thought the amitriptyline had sorted it out, but no there it was again and more painful than before. I struggle through the evening, in pain as I undressed the little two and then at bedtime, as I lay down next to Worm (2), I could feel heat in my knees and my hips, and pain in some of my fingers.

I drugged up and went to bed, hoping for a decent nights sleep,  but Worm came up to us in the early hours and the pain was still there in my shoulder and knees throughout the night.
This morning I have done the school run and the little two and I have walked the dog. I must have looked like an old lady up on the moors, hobbling along.  And yet in my head I am still telling myself that this isn't RA.

I  have doctors again next Friday, and I should hopefully hear from the consultant again soon.

Video - What RA is like for some!

I had to share this, this is an amazing video that just explains what it is and what it's all about from someone who was diagnosed at the age of 33.  (There are some similarities already!)

Let's hope mine never gets to this!

http://youtu.be/nJ-UoY5ecsQ

This is what Sara, who made the video has to say:

This is only a part of my journey and not everyone with Rheumatoid Arthritis will follow the same path we are all very different and treatment will vary, however please remember that this is not a curable disease, and is not an old persons condition.....Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune condition and can effect all of our vital organs. 

I would like to thank you for taking the time to view this and would love to hear your comments. 

Please note further information can be found at: 
NRAS - www.nras.org.uk 
Arthritis Research Uk - www.arthritisresearchuk.org 
Rheumatoid Arthritis Guy - www.rheumatoidarthritisguy.com 
RAWarrior - www.rawarrior.com 

Donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/mrsjolly... were all proceeds are going to NRAS who offer support and advice for people with RA and their families. 

Thank you. 

Please take a look!

Fish Oil and aspirin - the cure (according to the Daily Mail

Another article from the Daily Mail.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2282980/The-cure-arthritis-Fish-oil-aspirin-according-breakthrough-discovery.html

But for what type of arthritis?

Does anyone take any complimentary medicines to help them?

I know cherry is supposed to be good for gout but what about RA?

Doctors and hospital all in one day!

And I had to take all 3 boys to the doctors with me!!

But it was good,

positive...

I haven't been taking my anti- inflammatories for about 5/6 days due to having some severe stomach cramps.

I have been prescribed Omeprezole as well now,  so can start back on the NSAIDs which is good as I  am beginning to feel the pain everywhere again from not having taken them.

I was honest with the doctor today and told her how I was struggling with work, how I feel my brain doesn't work, how tired I am all the time. She listened and has signed me off for a month. She was going to do two months but that's a bit much so I promised I'd return in a month to reassess the situation.

My right foot has been bad for a while. Last Friday at work I couldn't feel toes 3,4 and 5. It was like they weren't there. I have had to stop, when driving home from work, because it has been so painful and uncomfortable.

This afternoon, I had an ultrasound on my feet. I have had pain in them on and off for three years, but never thought it was RA.
The scans showed no active inflammation but did reveal Bursitis on my right foot between toes 3 and 4.  I don't really know what that means or whether it is even related to RA, but I know it hurts!
Can RA cause it or is it something totally unrelated?

Anyway result will be sent to the consultant and I see him again in a couple of months.

Another scan.

Just a quick update...

I received a letter in the post last week stating that the consultant had asked for ultrasounds of both of my feet to be done. I have an appointment on Tuesday afternoon.
I expect this one will show nothing either just like the ones of my hands!
Hey ho.....onwards and upwards!

The pain hasn't been too bad lately.
I still get pain in my shoulder and if I am working, by the end of the day, I also have pain in my right foot at the base of my toes, on the ball of my foot and sometimes in the in step.
Hips and knees have been okay! *touches wood quickly*
The fatigue is still awful and even though I know I need to rest, it doesn't happen. 3 boys, a husband who works shift, a part time job and an M.Ed.
Rest, what's rest?

Roll on next week, it's half term down here and a week off is needed!