Relive pain at home.
Hi I’m waiting on my diagnosis from specialist but doctor is saying he’s confident it’s rheumatoid arthritis that I have I’m 34 and how it started hurt my wrist so had time off then woke one morning to my other wrist in absolute agony could not move it would not bend it was swollen my fingers were like sausages as the day went on it was ok then a few days later my ankle went the same which lasted a few days thought I slept funny brushed it off and it’s been on and off for months now so went to doctors and they requested bloods which showed high level off inflammation of the joints currently waiting for my first hospital appointment with specialist I work in a school kitchen which is a very physical job constantly on the move it’s a manual job and I’ve noticed at the end off everyday since been back at work this month the pain in my wrists and feet are getting a lot more frequent and a lot more painful to the the point off crying and vomiting and found myself waking up in random places off the night in my home the medication the doctor gave me does nothing and they won’t do any more I have to wait for specialist so my question is what can I do to relive this pain currently writing this now at 12.16am in very bad pain and feeling very sad with some frozen peas on my wrist as I read cold helps any help tips would be very appreciated.
Thanks Michelle
Hi Michelle (
). Your distress is certainly understandable. It is good that you are going to see a specialist (I'm assuming a rheumatologist)? Do you have an appointment date? I know that some community members have had success getting seen earlier by asking to be put on a cancellation list - when appointments open they may call you in. Mind if I ask what treatment you are currently on? Handling the pain prior to regular treatment can be difficult and plenty of people here understand. Our patient leader Amanda wrote here about some over-the-counter items to help manage RA: https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/pain-management-tools. Hopefully others will chime in here with what has helped them. Please feel free, if you like, to keep us posted on how you are doing and to ask additional questions. Hope you get some answers and relief soon. Best, Richard (Team Member) thank you and yes a rheumatologist my referral letter says I will hear something by the 12th off February currently taking naproxen which the doctor prescribed and cosine but don’t seem to help this is all very new to me and last night I was at my wits end with pain I’d had enough it was to much.
Thank MichelleHi
. I know that naproxen is anti-inflammatory, but simply may not be enough to help with your symptoms. I'm not familiar with cosine. Could your spellcheck have substituted a word? Given that the over-the-counter meds are not helping, is there any chance your GP would prescribe something until you see the rheumatologist? Or could the rheumatologist prescribe something until the appointment? I can't say that it would be right for your situation, but many in the community get relief from steroids, such as prednisone. Best, Richard (Team Member)
