New here

[Guest guest]

Hi All,

My name is Jodie, my friends call me Jods & I am new here.I'm 35 and from

Australia.

My doctor thinks I have arthritis in both my hands. I get the blood results back

on Friday and hopefully I will know more then. He has given me some mobic, and I

have been taking them for a week and a half, however the pain relief doesn't

seem to last anymore than a few hours and I've had a few side effects, well at

least I think I have, but I'm not sure because it hasn't happened everyday. I

haven't worked out the best time to take it yet either.

I am starting to find basic everyday things difficult to do, like opening my

purse & getting money out, opening jars, turning off taps,typing on the

computer, anything that involves gripping and fine motor skills really makes

thing hurt.

I enjoy sewing and patchwork quilting, but am now finding that difficult. I have

trouble picking up and putting the pieces together and sewing them on the

machine hard and it doesn't take long before my hands are hurting.

I am a chef and work mostly on my own. I am waiting for the day when I drop a

heavy pot or tray of food because even though I may be gripping hard, it doesn't

feel like I am holding on tight. Does that make sense? I am starting to find

things difficult at work too and I'm not sure if I should cut back my hours. I

have just been offered a promotion and am not sure if I should take it as I

don't know how my hands will hold up.

I have been taking glucosamine and using the stress ball to exercise my hands, I

have even started playing the piano again to try & keep things moving.

At the moment I am searching for some support and information because I feel a

little lost right now and am not sure what to do or what sorts of questions to

ask my doctor when I go back.

I hope you guys can help me.

Thanks for reading.

Jods