Just a complaint | Arthritis Information

Because I don't want to lay it on my husband too much...

I just started on injectible MTX but nothing so far.

In fact, I am now having trouble straightening my right elbow. And my right shoulder is now painful in new and different ways. At least it's only half of me! Above the waist, it's the right. Below, the left. My left ankle flared for about a month and actually went away--that and my hips are the only joints that have flared then gotten better. Elbow and shoulder just getting worse and worse. My left foot is flaring and I can only hope it will go away. Not sure what to do about the treadmill. By the end of the day it hurts but is tolerable and I want to stay in shape, but I feel like my ankle got better b/c I rested it from high impact stuff (it flared the day after I tried to do aerobics and took a couple of months to heal)

Anyway I am trying to straighten my elbow as much as possible so it doesn't end up like my wrist

Sigh

You must be very frustrated! Sorry you are not feeling better yet. Hope it happens for you soon!Oh so sorry KatieG. I hope you get feeling better soon. I stay on here and whin alot so I don't burden my husband too much as well. Big hugs t you

Thanks for the suggestion! I did try swimming for a while, but I did the breaststroke and I had a huge flare with my hips after. But then I swam a month later and was okay. I have tried to do the treadmill thus far, but if my feet keep acting up, I may go with swimming again. It's always the way I lose weight too! :) I was just about to cancel my Y membership though (we have a treadmill at home)

Wow, 15 surgeries! Any on your wrist? I bet! I may be headed that way, in time.

Good luck with your pregnancy--that is exciting! I may try for a third child in time but at least a few years from now...

I like to put on a floatation belt and just walk/jog in the deep end at my own pace. When I'm feeling well I have also joined a deep water aerobics class...the shallow water class bothered my ankles too much.

I can't do treadmill or stairmaster due to my ankles and hips, but water was much better. Haven't swum for some time now though, as I moved from Vancouver, Canada to Long Beach, CA and haven't found as nice a pool as my old one.

Yep - have had the ulnar head removed in both wrists, and several synovectomies (1 left hand, 3 right hand). They do help, I have to say, with pain.

How were your two pregnancies - did you experience a remission?
Hi Katie, I don't know when you starte MXT but it may take as much as 6 months to start working. Usually an RD will give it 3 months, discuss upping the dose. Have you had dosage increases, how long have you been on it, what dose are you taking? Lindy [QUOTE=TamaraKom]I like to put on a floatation belt
[/QUOTE]

Where would I get a floatation belt? I've never heard of this.
Katie,

Does your Y have a warm water pool and arthritis exercise classes? There are exercises that can be done in water that are low impact and put less stress on your joints and help with mobility. The breast stroke is a hard stroke to do. I could barely do that before RA. Even trying to swim is too much for my shoulders.

i can't take mtx due to swelling i get when i try. I will balloon up everywhere. Elbow won't bend out all the way, shoulder swells etc. It gets bad.

Dr.s don't know what causes it, but i can't take some drugs like that and celebrex.

I just use one of the floatation belts at the pool - they have a pile of them for their deep water classes. The problem is they are hard to do up and take off, with the clasp...but I usually tighten or loosen the belt to step in and out of it. I would check your local sports equipment store... Let's see...I haven't been on it 6 months yet. Started at 4 pills, then 6, then 8 (for 2 months). Now I am on .8 injectable. Is that the same as 8 pills (20 mg)? Very confusing. Anyway, I have had 2 shots now. In all I have been on it for 5.5 months, but I guess RD thinks my body may not have been absorbing it or whatever with the pills. So the clock may reset with the shots. Ugh.Hope you feel better soon, Katie!

MUch hugs!