Struggling a bit today

Beanie71

Hi All
Struggling a bit today  

6 weeks in to taking Methotrexate and week 4 of Steroids, pain has eased somewhat but at the moment I'm struggling with a lot of aching in my hips and ankles and overall fatigue, feel I have no energy for anything and when i do try it totally knocks me the following day, am i expecting to much to soon ?  

I've another consultant appointment this week and was wondering if i need anything else adding xx

vikingqueen

      Methotrexate can take up to 12 weeks before you see a difference so try and bear with it, the fatigue is another kettle of fish. I still struggle some days and i am 3 years in taking methotrexate, it affects people in different ways. 
       Let your consultant know everything you have written on here plus anything else  you have worries over, that is what they are there for. Try speaking to your doctor as well, you may need painkillers in addition to the steroids. 

woodbine

Hi @Beanie71 sorry you are struggling hope the meds eventually kick in and do the job 

Beanie71

Thank you @vikingqueen @woodbine
I will have a chat with my GP & Consultant 

vikingqueen

     Hope you are feeling better soon

Beanie71

Thank you x

Ross_Scope

Good luck with the upcoming appointment @Beanie71. 

janer1967

Hi @Beanie71 Sorry to hear you are struggling and hope the meds soon kick in, hopefully you can get some advice at your appointment good luck fingers crossed for you

Beanie71

@janer1967 Thank you x

Chloe_Scope

Hi @Beanie71, just wanted to check in to see how you were doing.

Beanie71

Hi @Chloe_Scope

Thank you for your message, feel a bit brighter this morning 
Hope your keeping well xx

Chloe_Scope

Glad to hear that @Beanie71! Wishing you a lovely day.

vikingqueen

      Good morning @Beanie71, did you get to see, or speak to your consultant this week? I hope you are feeling better than you did x

Beanie71

Hi @vikingqueen
I spoke to a consultant on Thursday, unfortunately it wasn't my usual Lady, I waited an hour and half before he called and he didn't even apologise which I thought was rather rude, but hey.......  No change with the Meds, 20mg Methotrexate once a week and the usual anti-inflammatory med and pain killers, still suffering with the aching hips and ankles which is draining.
Some days can be a real struggle but we have to put a brave face on don't we.
How are you doing x

vikingqueen

      I'm doing ok thank you, i have a brilliant rheumy team who i can call anytime, not sure i would tolerate my consultant being rude, i would have to say something..
      If you are still struggling with pain speak to your doctor, you might need different pain killers, it took a while to get mine right but touch wood all is good for now.
      learn to rest when you need to, your body will tell you when it's had enough, nothing wrong with an afternoon nap if you can

Beanie71

Thank you @vikingqueen
I've a great relationship with my GP so she is giving me a lot of support thank goodness.

xx

Tori_Scope

It's really great that you have such a good relationship with your GP @Beanie71 How are you getting on now? Any change? 

Beanie71

Hi @Tori_Scope

Hips and feet still aching a lot, cannot do a great deal without them aching afterwards, fatigue too but still going 
How are you doing ? x

Tori_Scope

I'm sorry to hear that @Beanie71 Do you think there's anything else your health team could do to help you manage the pain? 

I'm fine, thank you for asking Busy day!

Beanie71

Im going to give them a call tomorrow and see.
Thank you x

Tori_Scope

I hope the call goes well today @Beanie71  

Chloe_Scope

I hope that goes okay today @Beanie71.

Beanie71

Aww thank you x
Just an update I've been told to keep up with the painkillers for now and hopefully the Methotrexate will kick in soon x

Tori_Scope

Thanks for letting us know @Beanie71 Fingers crossed it will. 

Chloe_Scope

Hi @Beanie71, how are you feeling today?

Beanie71

Morning @Chloe_Scope

Not had the best week, I called the nurse again at the Rheumatology department and they have upped my prednisolone again for at least another 3 weeks, so fingers crossed it keeps me going till the Methotrexate kicks in.

Hope your doing well and thank you for your message this morning xx

Tori_Scope

I'm sorry to hear you haven't had a good week @Beanie71. Hopefully it will kick in soon, and you'll feel a bit better.

Chloe_Scope

Hi @Beanie71, sorry things have been tough. I hope the medication has kicked in this weekend.

Beanie71

Hi @Chloe_Scope @Tori_Scope

Hope your both doing well
Still not doing to good, I thought I would have had some relief from the steroids but they haven't done a great deal yet....... my right ankle especially is playing up today, x

Tori_Scope

I'm well thank you @Beanie71. I'm sorry you're still in pain. I hope you've taken it easy today. Did they give any indication of why the medication might not be working as planned when you called them? Or did they just tell you to sit tight and give it time? 

Beanie71

Glad your well @Tori_Scope
They just said sit tight until I've been on the methotrexate for at least 12 weeks which will be in a couple of weeks.
Occy Health have stated all being well I should be back on phased return after the 3 weeks but I just cant see this happening, trying to be positive but not convinced at all

Tori_Scope

I'm sure it's difficult to stay positive at the moment @Beanie71, but keep trying Have you got anything you can distract yourself with? 

Hmm. Do you think they're likely to extend that if you're still in pain? 

Chloe_Scope

Hi @Beanie71, sounds like things have been really tough! How was your weekend?