Any advice welcome 🙏
Recently referred to a specialist so waiting on that appointment. I have high Rheumatoid factor but everything else OK. Extreme stiffness in my legs, back, arms & shoulders. Knees & hips giving out on me. Snapping sensation back of my knee when walking & a small lump I can feel inside back of knee. Extreme fatigue. I've had to reduce my hrs at work as I am a restaurant manager now I can't do more than 4 hrs on my feet. Work have agreed to let me do hybrid role of 4 hrs restaurant & reception so I'm sitting. I've cut out sugar & gluten & eating a clean diet don't drink often. Any advice would be welcome. Some days after work I can barley get in my car.
Also just forgetting how to do things at work.
You know, after thirty years of rheumatoid arthritis myself I can say that I totally understand how you are feeling. Unfortunately, it’s almost impossible to say that what works for one person with RA is going to work for another. It sounds like you are doing all the things that you should, though, trying different remedies and coming to terms mentally with what might be happening. Please let us know how it turns out and just know, you are not alone. Keep on keepin’ on, DPM
I'm so glad that you reached out,
, and found our community here. It sounds like you are really going through a lot and hopefully the specialist can help you get some answers as well as a pathway to some relief! You have already done so much, it sounds like, between the work changes and the dietary changes - good for you!
I'm not sure if the specialist you're seeing is a rheumatologist, although it seems like it might be, so I wanted to share this article from one of our health leaders about what to expect at the first rheumatology appointment, https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/what-to-expect-at-your-first-rheumatologist-appointment
Unfortunately, as Daniel pointed out, what works for one person won't necessarily work for another, so we can't say for sure what would be helpful for you personally. That being said, it's always nice to get feedback and hear what's working for other people, just in case something resonates and you want to give it a try yourself. You mention a lot of pain/stiffness/etc, so I also thought you might appreciate this article with some of our health leader, Janeil's, pain relief therapies she can't live without, https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/pain-relief-therapies.
Hopefully these two articles can give you a starting point. Please, if you're comfortable, keep us posted with how you're doing and what you find out. And, of course, reach out here any time with any questions or if you need some support.
-- Warmly, Christine (Team Member)
