I have RA been off work two weeks because my knees are STILL swollen And sore

Dear Rhonda. I was in hospital for about 5 weeks the first time I moved to a decent area and was treated properly for my RA. I needed to be there although it was difficult to accept. I was started on the right medicine and was able to be discharged and in control.

I was admitted for 3 yrs on the trot but since then my inflammation rates are in control and I am seen in the OPD as an extra patient if my bloods or pain level is uncontrolled. I was a Health Visitor and couldn't do the job so I applied for ill health retirement.

I was fortunate to have paid in to my pension for 34 yrs so financially it was much easier.

Not sure how old you are but that is an option. At least your line manager is syportive.

Have you applied for DLA? That would give you an extra income .

I was without treatment for about 4 yrs until I was found to be seroPositive on a blood test.

I hope they can diagnose you quickly. If there is any more info or help I can give you please get in touch and I will do my best to help.

Best wishes Elspeth xxx

so sorry you are suffering, dont mean to b the bearer of bad news but it could be your symptoms will be ongoing if you cant find medication to control the symptoms, once under control you will find it easier, i had to stop work 3 years ago as the disease is now stronger than any medication i can find, try claiming p i p which is the old dla.  good luch hun x

Hi Rhonda, sorry to hear your having a hard time with your knees. Your situation sounds similar to mine.

I got referred to Rheumatology in December when out of the blue my hands became swollen , stiff and extremely sore. I battled on at work till 1st of February when I had no choice but to go off sick thinking it would only be a week or two to 'give my hands a rest and let things settle down ' . I was off for seven weeks! ! During that time I managed to get an emergency appointment with the nurse specialists and was given Humalog injection which helped a lot ( although it took about 10 days to fully kick in) . Also during this time my bloods were showing I was anti CCP positive confirming my RA diagnosis (previously only RF factor ) so they started me on Methotrexate. .....finally I am getting some relief! !

I fully get your frustration, I was the same. ....several times when I was off i'd phone the boss to say I was feeling better and hoped to be back in a few days. .....unfortunately that never happened as the few good days were always followed by more intense symptoms and not just in my hands either.....I now have it in my ankles, knees, hands, shoulders and even my sternum (chest bone!) .

So, the moral of this story is take your bosses advise and wait till you are fully recovered from this episode before returning.

Sorry if this is sounding very depressing. .....I remember thinking the same "nah, that can't be me, I will fight it and get back to work " ......and happily I am back at work now, the medication has made that possible.

So, please try to be patient and listen to your body......you know you will make things worse if you go back too soon.

Fingers crossed for you that that you get started on the right medication soon and get back to work and normal life resumes asap!

Take care, Karen

My knees are swelling and hurting as a write so I will hopefully get an appointment tomorrow with gp (as my fit note ends then)however not sure if I will joe extra stress coz if these NHS cyber attacks

Honestly thank you so much for sharing your experience I feel so less confused x