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Date: 09.11.2011
From: Mike

Subject: Rhematoid Arthritis and Damp living Conditions

Hi
I have had RA for about 4 years now. I suffer with my knees, wrists, hands, fingers and elbows in particular. I live in a council flat which has a lot of damp and moud if always feels cold in there and things like bedding often feel damp. I was wondering if this would make my symptoms worse. The damp gets worse this time of year and my knees are really bad at the moment. I wanted some advice before I speak to the council who seem to think the damp is not a problem.
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Date: 09.11.2011
From: rhona

Subject: Re: Rhematoid Arthritis and Damp living Conditions

Hi Mike, i also have R/A and i feel the dampness makes my condition worse, they say people with R/A that live in damp climates have more pain. i would speak to your doctor and ask him for letter to give to your council explaining your condition, try and keep your joints warm and moving where possible to help stiffness. good luck.
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Date: 09.11.2011
From: Mike

Subject: Re: Rhematoid Arthritis and Damp living Conditions

Hi Rhona, Thanks for the reply I'll give my doctors a ring I think or maybe the consultant I see at the hospital mind you he's very dificult to get hold of! I did try to speak to one of the doctors at my surgery a year a go but was told there is no evidence to support the damp has any effect on your joints. I don't think he was actually interested in helping to be honest. Thanks again this is my first time on here and from some of the posts it seems like there is a lot of nice people about.
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Date: 09.11.2011
From: Beth

Subject: Re: Rhematoid Arthritis and Damp living Conditions

In chinese medicine ra is linked to damp cold & wind. So yes even though it is an autoimmune disease I believe there is a link especially if your flat is damp & your bedding. Nobody should be living with damp & cold, speak to the council or maybe citizins advice might help. I know of some one wno has ra & lives in Africa, as soon as she comes to England her symptoms flare up. Aside from anything heat & sun make us feel better & if we have aches we are not as tense trying to keep warm. Hope you get some help.
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Date: 09.11.2011
From: bsk

Subject: Re: Rhematoid Arthritis and Damp living Conditions

It is very difficult as, if you are a council tenant, you can't go to environmental health which is run by the council, at least in my borough. It wouldn't stop me contacting them though and asking their view. Mould is well documented to cause health problems. How to remove it can be found on the web.

On a more positive note, often damp can be caused by condensation which can be treated with increased ventilation by opening/installing air vents and windows, keep on the heating and circulation of air. My father got rid of the mould in his bedroom by turning the heating up and leaving a fan on all day or opening the window. He wasn't heating it during the day to save money.

Hope this helps.
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Date: 09.11.2011
From: marlene

Subject: Re: Rhematoid Arthritis and Damp living Conditions

Hi there, being a council tenant should not make a difference as to the enviromental health. rules are set out for everyone including the council. Damp is not good for anyone. My GP thinks warm climate would be better for me so Drs do seem to conflict on this one. The mould is a huge health issue as the spors can become air born and are especially harmful to people with any kind of lung problems. Bleach is usually a good remedy, ventilation is important. As BSK advised make sure the heating is turned up enough. When you tackle your council for advice make sure you look up on the internet all about the effects of mould so you are ready to state your case. Hope you get sorted soon good luck.
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Date: 09.11.2011
From: bsk

Subject: Re: Rhematoid Arthritis and Damp living Conditions

Hi Marlene, I was told by a an environmental health officer they couldn't serve a notice on the council if the complainant was a council tenant. Don't know if it is the case anywhere else but seems wrong to me.
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Date: 10.11.2011
From: Dilizjo

Subject: Re: Rhematoid Arthritis and Damp living Conditions

Hi Mike, I agree with what has been put in the previous posts but I think there is one vital issue that seems to be missing and that is the Council has a duty of care to you being their tenant, if the damp problem has been reported to them they should be coming out to find the root of it. Your rent will include a service charge which should cover regular inspection visits to check for defects. So I would get in touch with them and ask for your estates manager to visit you. As for your GP, well does he know that RA can affect organs?????? the lungs being an organ I would have thought it would be important to make sure your living environment was safe for your condition. I would personally get on the phone to the surgery and ask to speak to him or get an appt and tell him you want a letter, you may have to pay a fee but it will be worth it.
take care xx
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Date: 10.11.2011
From: kirst

Subject: Re: Rhematoid Arthritis and Damp living Conditions

sorry if im about to repeat what anyone else has said but havnt got the energy to read all the posts.

I was rehoused into a council house on medical grounds because my previors house had damp and was freezing therfore agrivating my RA and Fibro.
I got in touch with the GP who wrote a letter for me to hand into the council when i handed in an application to move, she simply had to state that moving into a warmer home WOULD (this is the magic word) improve my condition. It wont work if the doc puts MAY improve your condition.

Anyway, if i were you take the precautions to get rid of/ reduce the mould using bleach to wash it away, keep your place as warm as pos and open windows a little to keep the air flowing.
Then get onto the council and put forward your case. You dont get unless you ask!

x
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Date: 10.11.2011
From: Mike

Subject: Re: Rhematoid Arthritis and Damp living Conditions

Hi guys thanks for all the replys I've made a telephone consultation appointment today with my docs to test the groud. I've been doing most the sugestions people are putting down I have even had a device fitted by the council which pumps clean air in to the flat and completely recycles all the air in the place at least once a day its mainly for people with asthma but my moaning got one last year. However despite this and a dehumidifyer (not sure thats spelt right) The damp is still persistant. I have the council due to come out in the next 3 weeks (as to them its not urgent) to look at the flat again but am not holding my breath. They seem to think its at an exceptable level! Thanks again for all your replys its really nice to speak to people who know what I'm going through. I wish I'd found this site 4 years ago!
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Date: 10.11.2011
From: marlene

Subject: Re: Rhematoid Arthritis and Damp living Conditions

Mike, wishing you luck with getting this terrible situation dealt with.
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Date: 11.11.2011
From: louloubelle

Subject: Re: Rhematoid Arthritis and Damp living Conditions

Hi Mike

Until last year I worked as a lettings agent and managed the rental of loads of properties.

Damp is an unacceptable living condition whether you have RA or not! It can increase the risk of ill health, particularly chest problems. Are you on any immuno-suppresive drugs such as mtx or anti-tnf. If you are, I would argue that you are at an even greater risk of developing a serious chest infection.

I would advise to wash the mould with boiling hot soapy water to kill the spores and treat with a mould specific spray (you can get these from places like Wilkinsons). Make sure you wash your bed linen regularly at a high temperature and dry thoroughly before putting on your bed.

Keep the property well ventilated with the heating up high (which, with gas and electricity the price it is is not great but is necessary).

Avoid drying clothes indoors (I used to do three or four loads of washing in a row and then stick it all in a tumble dryer at the laundrette 'cos they were big enough to dry all of that washing at once).

Have a window open (or switch an extractor on) when showering/bathing or cooking.

If, after doing all of this, you are still suffering with damp then ask the council to provide you with a de-humidifier (and not a cheap one - you want a good one with a large capacity).

As your landlord, they have a responsibility to make sure your living conditions are reasonably comfortable. However, they may argue that the way in which you live in the property (i.e. not having windows open or airing your clothes indoors) creates or exacerbates the problem then they won't do anything - unfair, I know but landlords (esp. the council) are unlikely to want to pay to improve the living conditions if they can get away with it.

Good luck
Lou xxx
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