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Advice please from RA patients

Posted , 15 users are following.

kaz51163
kaz51163

Hi there, I had my RA confirmed just last week. At the same appointment I was given a steroid injection to help ease my current debilitating symptoms. Three days later and I find my symptoms have improved but not completely disappeared, yet. I was given information leaflets on Sulphasalazine and Methotrexate. When I return in 3 weeks I will be started on which ever one I decide on.

I have been off work now for 7 weeks and am due to return next week. However, I find although I am desperate to get back to work and normality, I am worried that my symptoms will return and I would then have to go off on sick again which would count as another sick episode, something which HR don't take kindly to.

I am a nurse and work 12 and a half hour night shifts. Prior to this period of sick leave I was finding that half way through the shift my hands became inflamed and sore. .....this would lead to poor sleep the next day and then struggling (badly ) through the next nights shift. Got to the point I had to go off sick and now understand I have been having a bad flare. My bloods showed RF and CCP positive.

My question is, will the steroid injection keep me symptom free till I get started on the meds?

Any advice would be much appreciated. Thank you for listening!

0 likes, 66 replies

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  • allison95613
    allison95613 kaz51163

    Posted

    Hi i also suffer same as you mostly hands and feet I too started with steroid injection and methotrexate . Now i am on 20mg methotrexate once a week and 200mg sulfasalazine everyday i hate to say this but i am not finding it very good i am still suffering with lots of flare ups i to work in care for social services however my shifts are not long like yours but i to have just gone back to work after having 8 weeks off and i do worry and struggle at times. My doctor will no longer give me the steroid injection which i found to be amazing . I've got to wait another month or two to see my consultant but I'm hoping she will let me try something else. X good luck

    • kaz51163
      kaz51163 allison95613

      Posted

      Hi Allison, sorry to hear your struggling 😐 I hope your consultant is sympathetic and finds out what works for you. Have you recently started on these meds? You dont say how long you've been taking them. I could be wrong , but I understand it can take some time to get it right?

      I am hoping I will be one of the lucky ones and get a good response from the Methotrexate.

      I wish you well Allison and hope you get some relief soon, take care

    • allison95613
      allison95613

      Posted

      I have been on methotrexate now for 20 months taken off tablets to injection then back to tablets as i didn't find the injection any good at all i have been on the other tablets now for 3 months still not having much joy tbh so hoping that my consultant appointment is pretty soon . I hope you are doing well x

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