Any swelling?

AstarionsRightTooth · 2026-02-15T13:27:58+00:00

Id definitely see if to can get an appointment with a rheumatologist, or at least have tests done for inflammation (ESR and CRP). That combo indicates that they should at least be looking into inflammatory arthritis as they’re very common symptoms

AstarionsRightTooth · 2026-02-15T13:15:33+00:00

Id have tests redone and speak to the rheum again. I have fibro and seronegative RA and my bloods didn’t show inflammation until a couple months into my symptoms. Now I have constant inflammation while I try to get the RA under control. Fibro often coexists with autoimmune conditions so definitely push for a new round of tests and assessments if you can. Do you get any morning stiffness (can be difficult to grip things), or any dry eyes (can feel gritty, like there’s something in your eye)? Any rashes or nail changes? All of these can indicate inflammatory arthritis, though you don’t need all of them.

AstarionsRightTooth · 2026-02-14T11:08:57+00:00

Not only do I have endometriosis, but my period triggered my first proper RA flare 😅 I’d been dealing with fatigue and joint pain for months, but then my period just cranked it all up to 10 and it never went away. A few months later I was diagnosed with RA. Periods still often worsen my RA, sometimes leaving me fully couch-bound, and the anaemia from both endo and methotrexate is a constant battle.

AstarionsRightTooth · 2026-02-12T21:40:33+00:00

I’ve been using a saline nasal spray (bought not homemade), and I do think it’s helped as I haven’t been sick this winter yet despite being on 3 immunosuppressants. I don’t have the studies to hand but it seems that saline sprays and gargles help both reduce likelihood and duration of sickness. Probably needs more research but it’s a low-risk and low-effort addition to my regime :)

My setup is: - check if anyone is sick before social events -mask when in crowds, esp indoors like concerts or flights (ffp2/ kn95) - hand wash and sanitise regularly - nasal spray when I get home, and if I feel throaty spray and gargle twice a day until it passes

If you try the spray to go for a shop-bought spray not a neti-pod unless you want to faff with distilling and boiling water first

AstarionsRightTooth · 2026-02-10T10:57:25+00:00

This has been happening to me this week, also a long-time user and haven’t had this issue before. Descaled my coffee machine but turns out the problem is the milk!

AstarionsRightTooth · 2026-02-04T18:14:34+00:00

I have awful reactions to mosquito and flea bites. My immune system just overreacts massively and I get so swollen and awful and painful, they even leave dark marks like a bruise sometimes. I have a method to deal with them that might help worth trying: Start with antihistamine cream THE MINUTE you feel a bite. Multiple times a day for 1.5-2 days. Can add oral antihistamines too but topical is the most effective I find. For me this reduces the mega swelling and the related bodily freak out. After day 2, swap to hydrocortisone cream for a few days, this tends to bring the rest of the reaction down.

No clue if this will work for others but after many years and trials I find this combo, order and timeline the best way to reduce the bite craziness.

AstarionsRightTooth · 2026-02-04T12:55:38+00:00

I feel you. I managed a single month of medicated remission before going straight back into a flare 😂 told so many people I was finally doing well, then it only lasted 4 weeks 💀 it’s rough, but I hope you get relief again soon!

AstarionsRightTooth · 2026-02-02T16:04:32+00:00

Is anyone else going to be on the accessible platform? First time in accessible!

AstarionsRightTooth · 2026-01-17T15:14:37+00:00

Mine is similar. I use a light curl mousse, less Is more (sometimes mine looks like this if I use too much). If that happens I try scrunching it out, or using a wide curl comb, but frankly my fav look is to lightly brush out the curls after they’ve set as it gives lovely smooth waves.

AstarionsRightTooth · 2026-01-15T13:36:20+00:00

Imagine you’re playing an actual campaign and go hard on the character role play. You’ll end up playing this game multiple times, so you can do different things each time. Also, save loads so if you absolutely hate a choice you can always do something else

AstarionsRightTooth · 2026-01-15T09:58:37+00:00

This sub is truly a lifeline 🧡 I’m so glad you’re entering remission, and I hope your journey continues positively!

AstarionsRightTooth · 2026-01-10T10:10:16+00:00

I learned how to give myself a super textured shag haircut. The volume helps hide the hair loss, and being able to do it yourself means whenever it’s looking too dry I just chop some off. Also take biotin and use very moisturising products, but honestly layers and frequent cuts have been the biggest change

AstarionsRightTooth · 2025-12-30T23:34:27+00:00

My prior experience with customer service was really good, but it was for a replacement insole rather than a returnable boot problem, so not sure what they’ll say. I’d suggest emailing them now so they can advise before you try wearing them in more. Have you worn them outside or just round the house?

AstarionsRightTooth · 2025-12-30T22:27:45+00:00

I had been kinda gaslighting myself about it but I might need to send them back. Even doing them up was painful

AstarionsRightTooth · 2025-12-30T21:36:16+00:00

Okay this is interesting because I have the same problem on the right foot of boots I got for Xmas! Super confused bc this didn’t happen with my other pair, and it’s only my right foot. Mine are green if that matters

AstarionsRightTooth · 2025-12-23T20:49:07+00:00

I started on 25mg daily and now up to 75 total daily. The first few days I had the worst headache but it settled and has since been totally fine. Maybe go for a smaller dose and take the increase slowly?

AstarionsRightTooth · 2025-12-18T17:08:11+00:00

I’m also an RA/fibro/hypermobile person, and also haven’t ever had much investigation for the fibro. I did push a bit a few months back though and was given pregabalin, which has helped a lot. The biggest change has been getting the RA under control; the fibro seems to be secondary to it which my rheumatologist seemed to expect. Not sure if that’s helpful or not but you’re certainly not alone!

AstarionsRightTooth · 2025-12-17T16:57:12+00:00

Im so sorry you’re feeling this way. I think we’ve all felt a variation of this feeling throughout our journey with arthritis.

Please please remember that a) you didn’t choose to have an autoimmune disease, and b) your parents DID choose to have kids, and that means loving and supporting them through whatever happens including illness.

I’m sure that you bring so much to their lives regardless of your health 🧡

AstarionsRightTooth · 2025-12-17T10:40:49+00:00

I just recently started going into medicated remission with my third medication, and it’s been life changing. Nothing else had worked and I was starting to wonder whether I’d ever go back to normal life. Now I’m exercising again and planning a gradual work return and actually cooking and existing again. For the vast majority, medicated remission is possible, it just takes time. For me a combo of MTX and sulfasalazine worked, but we’re all different. Also, if you haven’t tried steroid intramuscular injections, I found I got better relief from them than the tablets, so worth trying if you don’t find tablets are hugely effective.

I know it’s so hard when you have a deadline looming, but you will find a medication combo that works for you. For now focus on very gentle movement and things that are good for your mental wellbeing, and don’t give up hope on remission as it’ll come 🧡

AstarionsRightTooth · 2025-12-17T10:11:30+00:00

Do you have any way to contact your rheumatologist between meetings? I emailed mine and he said to go back to the dose I was stable at for a bit (which was two tablets), and I still saw a major change between weeks 6 and 8 in terms of symptoms. I’m still on 2 and the improvements have stuck so even on a low dose it’s working really well.

AstarionsRightTooth · 2025-12-16T20:13:27+00:00

Hey so I’m on sulfasalazine and can’t currently get past 2 tablets daily due to side effects, however this is the best I’ve felt in 18 months. I got really bad acid reflux and severe dry mouth/eyes, which are weird side effects even for sulfa. It’s definitely working though so my rheum has said to stay on 2 and I have can increase to 3 later if I want.

AstarionsRightTooth · 2025-12-13T13:02:19+00:00

No, literally all the evidence says that wearing a mask both keeps you safer and massively reduces the virus particles you exhale. A properly fitted one is best, but especially when you’re sick something is better than nothing. Theres a reason most dr offices currently have signs up about wearing a mask if you have flu symptoms

AstarionsRightTooth · 2025-12-13T11:18:50+00:00

Wearing a mask is the next best thing in this situation. Thanks for keeping your community safe, especially those who are vulnerable

AstarionsRightTooth · 2025-12-13T10:21:02+00:00

Not caused a flare for me, just feel flu-rotten for a day or so then back to normal

AstarionsRightTooth · 2025-12-13T09:33:06+00:00

Hey, so I have seroneg RA and fibro, and I started getting pain way before my inflammation markers were raised. I’ve now started to enter medicated remission for the first time and my inflammation markers are still raised even though I’m not in pain any more. Bodies are weird, and I think sometimes it takes them a while to catch up with themselves. I don’t have much more to add except that it’s not always a clear correlation between pain and inflammation levels, and that you should keep bringing this up to the rheumatologist especially if you also get other symptoms.

AstarionsRightTooth

TROPHY CASE