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Date: 18.06.2013
From: Samantha

Subject: Arthritis?

Hi everyone. I'm waiting for an appt with Rheum. Dept but in the meantime thought I'd join this forum. I haven't been officially diagnosed yet but I'm guessing I've got RA. My symptoms started earlier this year with a little finger which became useless overnight it seemed. Now I have pain and stiffness in my left shoulder and my feet are swollen and achy. I would describe walking some days as stepping across a stoney beach barefoot. Can anyone relate to this? I also have swelling in one of my ankles. I take ibuprofen 3 times a day and use the gel also.

Interestingly, I was diagnosed with psoriasis last year, not something I'd had before. I'm 52 and female.

Do my symptoms sound familiar to you guys? Thanks for any replies.
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Date: 18.06.2013
From: Colin W

Subject: Re: Arthritis?

Hi Samantha , look up psoriatic arthritis , its very similar to RA & treated with the same drugs , there is several on this forum with it

hope the rheumatolgy department can sort out your condition , most people with RA have rheumatiod factor show up in a blood test but not all but the chances are its related to the psoriasis
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Date: 22.06.2013
From: Emma R

Subject: Re: Arthritis?

Hi Samantha, I would say this sounds like psoriatic arthritis. I have it and your symptoms sound very similar to mine.
Do you get swollen toes?
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Date: 24.06.2013
From: Samantha

Subject: Re: Arthritis?

Thanks for replies Yes toes swell and really feet are constantly swollen with my ankles. As I said sometimes its like trying to walk barefoot across a stony beach!

Can anyone tell me what I can expect from my first hospital appointment?
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Date: 24.06.2013
From: bsk

Subject: Re: Arthritis?

Blood tests, x-rays or scan (though you will have to go back for that) and examination. They might prescribe drugs for you but that depends on your blood results. I got a steroid injection straight away and was admitted to hospital but I was rather bad.
Best of luck with your appt.
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Date: 26.06.2013
From: Samantha

Subject: Re: Arthritis?

Had my first appointment with the consultant yesterday and one of the results was he prescribed me Naproxen plus another drug to take with for lining the stomach.

I've been taking two ibruprofen three times a day previously and that worked fine once they kick in. I took the first Naproxen yesterday evening . This morning I woke up in my usual agony, stiff and couldn't move and realised that I couldn't just gobble down my ibruprofen but had to take two drugs and eat something too! Like everyone else I've got to be able to function first thing so I grabbed the ibruprofen as usual.

Sorry for the ramble !
My questions are does Naproxen take time to work?

If so, Is it infinitely better than ibruprofen so I should be patient?

Must you eat at the same time as taking or later? I'm never hungry first thing just need a cuppa!

The consultant diagnosed PA by the way.
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Date: 26.06.2013
From: Linda

Subject: Re: Arthritis?

I was taking Naproxen for a long time Samantha. They are anti inflammatory like ibuprofen, but stronger. When I was on them, I was taking one in the morning and another one in the evening to see me through the night.

I would imagine they're meant to work the same as ibuprofen, shortly after you've taken them. I always took them just after a meal.
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