Well it has been 13 weeks now since I had to stop taking Methotrexate (due to reoccurrence of chest infections) and oh have I noticed lately I am not on any medication.

Fatigue and stiffness in the hands and feet has been the biggest notice. I have been finding that my hands and feed are getting a lot stiffer and sore quicker, which is leading to some days being unable to move completely.

For instance – Thursday just gone I had nerves along my shoulder blades locked and muscle spasms down my spine. Which in turn resulted in both my hands clasping shut which made it difficult to eat a meal or hold a drink.

This disease is horrible and takes away you advantages of a normal life as you never know when the next flare will occur, how long it will last and how it will affect to do the simple things we take for granted.

When I am feeling good – I do try and put my mind and soul in to something to keep me occupied. My usual type of therapy to keep me going is to bake – which with the help of aids within the kitchen I am able to. I find it is my way of coping with daily stresses with this disease and something to keep me active along with brightening up a gloomy day.

Looking back on previous posts I cannot believe it has been nearly 18months since my last post, I really need to get more organised with posts now things are different.

Since my last post a lot has changed living with this illness. Since the beginning of December 2018 until April 2019, I have unfortunately suffered with 9 chest infections! I know I hear you thinking one chest infection is enough, but 9 is way too much. Each time going off Methotrexate for a few weeks to the antibiotics kick in, then back on Methotrexate then again back in to the vicious circle of coming off medication for the body to recoup and heal, constant GP visits each time.

It took until my final chest infection and following on from a chest x-ray (which showed no damage to my lungs) that the GP thought it was possibly Methotrexate causing my chest infections.

Fast Forward to today……….

I have been 11 weeks off Methotrexate and Oh My Gosh!! I have never felt so much pain and unable to do much because of this illness. Every day chores are a challenge!! I am trying my best not to be reliant on pain killers to ease the pain just try and ensure I don’t over do things and rest when needed to ( my body has its way of telling me)

Due to being off Methotrexate, it does mean that I am back on the waiting list to see my Rheumatologist to look at other medication that can be taken to help with this horrible illness. So the aches, pains, stiffness and everything else that comes with Rheumatoid Psoriatic Arthritis is back with a vengeance. Hands are the worse as the cuticle skin is constantly trying to shred and bleed.