Arthritis Foundation Forum / Just Diagnosed / Health and Arthritis Research News

Seronegative Arthritis

Carla Gordon-Cotter — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:41:09 GMT

Hi all my name is Carla and im 28 years old and 7 weeks ago i was diagonsed with Seronegative ArthritisIt all stated from a heel spur and tendionitis. I have had to stop working as I find it hard to walk with out my walking stick and the pain killers im taking i am unable to drive. I have started treatment with Sulfasalazine, which appers to not be working after my 4 week blood test showed my inflammtory markes higher again then what they were before.My first blood test reveled that they were triple to what they should of been. I have another blood test on the 26 /10/09 which will be 8 weeks i have been on treatment for and judging on how im feeling and the swelling of my feet, ankles and knees and back im guessing the last 4 weeks of treatment is not working also. Im going insane not being able to work, and i am unable to get any government assistance either and the medications are quite expensive. Im hoping the next treatment will work .

Allergic Reaction from Enbrel

CharVA — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 14:09:36 GMT

Has anyone had an allergic reaction to Enbrel. I was on it for almost 3 months when all heck broke loose. I got hives everywhere. We weren't sure it was the Enbrel so I stopped all RA drug. I've itched for 3 weeks now! Yea! I look like I have the chicken pox with all the scratching. Help!

osteoarthritis flare up

Jane Hobbs — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 10:59:27 GMT

I was recently diagnosed with osteoarthritis. It first showed up in my hands and knees. However, this past weekend I had what I think is a flare up. I had some short nights of sleep (5-6 hours) and by Friday I wasn't feeling well at all, and every joint in my body, especially my back, was aching terribly. No fever or other symptoms, just aching. Is this what's considered a "flare up"? I took anti-inflammatories over the weekend off and on, and by Monday I was feeling much better. Anyone else have this happen? Thanks, Jane

I've just been diagnosed with OA and I'm only 39 years old

Pamela Oakley — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 10:11:22 GMT

Hello there, I can't get used to the idea that I've also got OA in my spine as well as my left hip. My consultant recommended that I have steroid injections again before I see him next August. I told my partner about what was said at my appointment he tries to make me feel better in myself by making me laugh. I would like to get in touch with other sufferers with the condition.

MIXED CONNECTIVE DISEASE

primalSCREAM — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 07:45:02 GMT

Hi all....I was just diagnosed with mixed connective tissue disease (overlap syndrome) ...Having a very bad day today....severe muscle weakness , joint pain and fatigue....just need to vent...I feel so helpless. The Rheumy wants me to go on major immune supressing drugs...I don't want to...especially with that swine flu out there...I've never felt so sick like this before....UGH...I'd love to hear from anyone out there who feels like this......Thanks

good news

pat bernard — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 20:01:30 GMT

I found this pharmacy online best service and prices you should try them the lady was extremely helpful. http://www.247expressmeds.com/

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrom and Arthritis

Athena I. — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:41:26 GMT

I have found the cause for my wide spread pain and mysterious Athritis, it's Ehrlers-Danlos Syndrom. It's a rare genetic disorder that effects joints and soft tissue. I am pleased to find an answer to my pain, only I guess I was hoping for something that had a cure! I haven't seen a rheumy because my Doc seems to think it's irrelivent, since I have EDS. I understand that EDS is the likely culprit, but what if I have more than just that? I have Fibromyalgia too, so wouldn't it make sense to do more tests and make sure my blood levals are fine?

I feel pretty alone in this. Even though my condition is genetic, I seem to be the only one in my family that has it. Others in my family are flexible and have elastic skin, but not to the extent that they would be clasified as having this condition. They also don't put credit in any diagnosed dissorder (which they tell me is spiritual and physical weakness) they think its all in my head. I do have others in my life who support me completly, which makes a world of difference.

Are there any other people on here that have Arthritis from rare conditions? Even though I have a "freak show" syndrom (said with "freak pride") I would like to know if there are other oddities out there.

physical therapy for osteoarthritis?

Tava Edwards — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 22:46:30 GMT

Has anyone here tried physical therapy for arthritis of the hip? I don't know if my dr.will authorize it as he claims it doesn't do much, but it just seems to me that a good pt could at least help with range of motion and strengthening exercises. I am just wanting to try any alternatives to surgery! Thanks maddie grace

Help!!

Tava Edwards — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:55:58 GMT

I am so glad to have found this forum. I was recently diagnosed with OA in my hip. This was a shock to me as I had no pain there at all before I accidentally pulled something in my hip while exercising and an x-ray showed a loss of cartilige and I got the bad news that I was probably looking at hip replacement surgery in the future. Meanwhile, I have had lots of pain that doesn't seem to get better which I guess goes with OA. I started on naproxen about two weeks ago. I couldn't tell that it helped much. Last week I had to have blood work done for my annual physical and was informed my billirubin level was abnormally high, the lab said it had to do with the naproxin and I needed another test to be sure. Well,the problem is what can I take for pain? I am afraid to take Tylenol with all the publicity about liver damage from it. I will call my dr., however it will probably be two to three days before I hear from him and I can,t imaging this weekend with no pain killlers at all. Does anyone have any experience like this and have any advice. Thanks so much, Maddie Grace

Any info on Methotrexate???

Barb Andrews — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 12:00:52 GMT

I was just diagnosed and my drug treatment is methotrexate. I am really worried about taking this med. Just wondering what side effects I could have from it, and just not sure if I want to take it or not. Hoping someone that has taken it can tell me alittle bit more about it.

High Sed Rate and joint pain?

Kelly Jurceka — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 21:51:26 GMT

Hi there. Last December I had a really awful intestinal/vomiting/fever type viral infection. Day 2 of it and every joint in my body was in severe pain. I've been to two rheumys and they did blood work and said they thought for sure it'd come back as RA but when all the labs were totally normal and I had no swelling in/around the joints then they acted like I WAS NUTS. I finally got to see a professor of rheumatology and he, too acted like maybe it was all in my head as he saw my records from before showing normal labs and he too saw that I had no swelling. Well he went ahead and had more labs drawn and most aren't back yet but I got a call from him the other night. He said my sed rate was pretty high and that now we're "going to have to keep an eye on you." He said he's not sure what I have yet and that this is a confusing case due to lack of swelling or redness in/around the joints. He's hoping when the other blood work comes back that'll give him more info. In the mean time- have you heard of the sed rate going up and then other things come after? What does a high sed rate USUALLY mean? I have loads of pain and stiffness in my ankles, shoulders, wrists and fingers (at times-the fingers) Some days are better than others but there is no pain free day. Thanks for any info you have!

Getting Diagnosed

Amanda From the North — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:53:57 GMT

This is my first post here. I definitely have some kind of arthritis, I have an appointment with my rheumy tomorrow and I will hopefully get a definitive diagnosis and can start treatment. I am reasonably sure that it is RA, although my symptoms are relativley mild so far. I have had it for less than a year, and I am glad to have gotten a quick diagnosis. Still, finding out that you have a chronic illness that can be quite serious is scary, to say the least.

Newly diagnosed with OA in hands and have questions

Jane Hobbs — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 12:27:09 GMT

I was just diagnosed with OA in my hands and I have a few questions I hope someone can help me with.

I'm 43 and I do clerical work for a living (I'm a secretary). I've been having pain and swelling in my left hand which started with my little finger, and then progressed to the ring and middle finger, only it was mostly the outer joints which swelled and were very painful. I've since figured out (and confirm by doctor) that they were Heberden's nodes. (note, I'm right-handed but use my computer mouse with my left-hand--I switch off because I get shoulder pain eventually if I don't.)

I went to my family clinic and saw the first staff doctor available, who diagnosed it a OA--"plain old wear-and-tear arthritis". He didn't seem too terribly concerned. I have a regular physical scheduled next month with my regular doctor, and I will follow up with her more.

My questions right now are: Is 43 a bit young for OA? I've had a lot of joints cracking and popping in the last several months, but put it down to just not being active enough (I'm guilty of not exercising regularly).

Also, does OA like this come on rather suddenly, like in a few months? I would think this would be something that would occur over a long time. Should I be concerned?

Thanks! Jane

I'm 36 and was diagnosed with OA, but why in so MANY joints, and so fast??

JustJen — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 08:24:48 GMT

Hi everyone, I"m new to this forum and have only been browsing for a few days.

I'm 36 and was diagnosed by a rheumatologist with OA a few months ago, but I wonder if it's RA... I would be so grateful if you would read my story and give me feedback, since I am alone in this diagnosis as far as my friends and family go.

When I was first referred to my rheumatologist last winter, I saw my rheumy's assistant for my initial visit. The assistant ordered bloodwork for a range of autoimmune disorders which all came back normal, aside from a slightly raised white blood count (precisely the same as they had come back a year previous when I was in spine clinic for my lower back "going out" inexplicably following a month of my spine feeling like it was radiating heat out of it, as I described it to my husband, GP, and anyone who would listen).

I saw my rheumy himself for the first time this spring and he spent a couple of minutes feeling the bump on my knuckle and the one at the base of my right big toe (one reason my GP sent me to the rheumy) then said its OA, that it never gets better and always gets worse, and said to take Advil for the pain and call him if it stops being enough. Then he made a follow up appointment for me in October and said to have a nice day (the appointment was all of five minutes in length).

Since my appointment with him 12 weeks ago, my lone knuckle bump has turned into 7 fingers with bumps or marked "fatness" of the knuckles (noticeable enough that my GP took one look at my hands from several feet away after not seeing me for a few months and immediately asked me what my rheumy is doing about it).

Also since my appointment 12 weeks ago my right big toe's bunion has grown in size and pain dramatically (my GP checked it out a few weeks ago and said he'll refer me to a foot surgeon "when" it gets bad enough), and my right shoulder has developed grinding and clunking, weakness and pain, which my GP said is "instability" but the xray he sent me for didn't show anything.

These issues are all coming on the heels of my lower back "going out" in 2006 and being diagnosed with facet arthrosis later, my neck having "complete reversal of cervical lordosis" since at least 2006, and my right hip causing me so much pain and trouble walking that I had to do months of physical therapy (my PT said there was "joint inflammation" in both hips, and that my left hip just stops like there's bone where it shouldn't be when he's trying to rotate/move it).

When in physical therapy for my hip last winter (before finally being referred to my rheumy) I woke up one day with my collarbone swollen and painful. My GP game me a prednisolone taper pack and by the time I was a few days into it, my entire body felt better than it had in years. And my knees didn't look all puffy! Here I thought I was gaining extra weight in my knees for a year!

Shortly after that my daughter was ill so we were back in my GP's office and he noticed that my hands were red. I told him that they'd been red and hot and feeling like fat little sausages for a few days now, and that I kept dropping things, and he said "I'm sending you to a rheumatologist". When the redness went away a week or so later, the knuckle bump remained... and now we've come full circle to the beginning of my story.

So... does this sound like osteoarthritis to anyone? Does it sound like rheumatoid arthritis? Or does it just sound like arthritis, and should I go on with my life without taking any medicine and hope for the best?

My parents are both dead and I truly am alone in this... I have all brothers and none are affected, just the women in my family I guess (mom and her mom's hands were knobby like mine are getting, that's all I know about it).

Thank you so much for reading, I'm sorry it's so long...

confused

Ashley Mullins — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 01:03:27 GMT

I just turn 24 4 days ago. Yeah!!

I have been diagnosed with osteoartritis. But I am confused/wooried if there might be something more. I have through my entire spine and wrists but this is all I have had x rays on. Most days my back hips and neck hurt and on rainy days my knees will flare up.But now my shoulders and wrists have been really hurting and after reading that that is uncommon I wonder is someone may be going or gone through something similar. My Mom has psoratic arthritis, RA and OA.

RA, jaw pain, and TMJ

Gary62 — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 18:08:08 GMT

I've recently had quite a bit of pain in my jaw and I was would love to know about anyone else's experiences with something similar. I have been diagnosed with RA and I'm having an MRI next week at the suggestion of my dr., though I'm already on methotrexate, plaquenil and folic acid. Do cortisone injections in the jaw work? How else might this be treated? Is it TMJ masquerading as RA, or vice versa? Any insights would be really appreciated.

New to Ra, and new symptoms

Abbey Baker — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 18:29:31 GMT

I was diagnoised a few months ago with Ra, I was starting to manage my symptoms and meds, but noticed new things. I have a Remotologist appoint coming up, but I want to know if anyone else has experience this?

Besides the usual joint pain, morning stiffness, and all around fatigue, in the past week I have had bruising around the joints of my fingers and toes as well as mouth sores.

Any ideas? They never ruled out lupus, so I was wondering if these symptoms more align with that?

Newbie with OA has some questions

CJ Scruggs — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 19:20:01 GMT

Hi, I'm new to this forum and have been diagnosed with OA ... it started with bursitis in one hip that I fought with for 4 years ... then one day I just woke up and all my joints hurt and my shoulder was "frozen" ... my internist thought it odd that I would get OA in all my joints all at once, so he sent me to a rheumatologist... he thought I had PMR, but when I went to my second appointment, he said he didn't think it was PMR, but wasn't sure what it was ... in the meantime, my hip was getting much worse, so went back to my orthopedic surgeon ... he was shocked that my hip went bad in just two years ... he showed me my x-rays from 2 years before and it was fine ... now the hip is bone on bone ... so at some point will have to get a hip replacement :( He was worried that it was something other than OA, so wanted me to go to a rheumatologist to get a firm diagnosis ... found a new rheumatologist and she believes it is OA .. she seems to think all my pain will go away when I get the hip replacement done ... surgeon said its a 50/50 chance that the pain in the other joints will remain ... right now I'm on Mobic, Amrix and Tramadol ... most days it makes the pain tolerable, but now that "monsoon" season is here and it's much more humid, I am in agony ...[b] does anyone else get more painful when it's humid ? [/b]Funny thing is, it's not the bad hip joint that is giving me the most pain -- my knees throb like toothaches ... laying down is not my friend right now ... which brings me to my other question -- [b]has anyone found any type of mattress that makes them more comfortable ?[/b]

San Diego Support Group for Fibromyalgia

Sharon Female — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:33:36 GMT

San Diego, CA (Mission Hills)
New Support Group in San Diego for Fibromyalgia:
www.meetup.com/San-Diego-Fibromyalgia-Support

Watsu/Aquatic Bodywork Sessions,
Water Therapy Classes for Pain Relief and Gentle Exercise/Movement.
www.AqOasis.com
www.WaterChiTherapy.com
www.SharonPlache.com

Private Warm Salt Water Pool.

Come join us.
Blessings,
Sharon

Seeking employment advice

Aric Peterson — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:32:20 GMT

I've been a truck driver (off and on) for about a decade. I've recently been diagnosed with a degenerative arthritic condition in my knees and the doctor told me I should find a new line of work (been delivering for FedEx as a temp). I don't believe I have much in the line of marketable skills for an office environment besides some self-taught rudimentary computer skills. I'm looking for any advice I can get.

Natural relief ....... that actually works!!!!

Lynne Costelloe — Fri, 22 May 2009 06:25:04 GMT

As a 12-year sufferer of RA, I have to share with you my amazing discovery that has eradicated my joint swelling, restored my mobility and energy, and most importantly eliminated my pain.

On a holiday to Singapore I came across a herbal remedy promoted to provide relief for joint and arthritis pain within 48 hours!! Sceptical but in my 10th year of suffering on a daily diet of ibuprofen that only takes the edge off the pain, I decided to give it a go and bought my first 10 pills. Recommendation was 4 the first day as a “starter boost” and then 2 a day after that.

I did my boost day (4 pills) on the Sunday; 2 pills on Monday; on Tuesday morning I found I could get out of bed without that delayed "stand" while my knees decided if they could bend or not. Wednesday morning I still had no pain getting out of bed, but tucked the ibuprofens in my bag (just in case). Throughout the day I realised that my wrists were flexing when I took change from a cashier. Thursday I walked and stood for 8 hours of the day at the Australian Grand Prix and was still able to get up from the dinner table without using the table as a crutch. My scepticism was starting to fade - but Thursday night I took the last pill of my "trial" pack. Friday and Saturday continued to be pain and ibuprofen-free days – could this stuff be real?? Then, just when I was getting used to my new quality-of-life, Sunday morning I woke up with throbbing wrists, and knees that didn’t want to bend when I finally got out of bed!

So it was back on the ibuprofen for Sunday and Monday, until I headed back to Singapore and stocked up on the full 30-tablet packs, and the details of the company distributing them in the UK and Europe. AND for those of you still suffering …. there is a no-risk money-back guarantee from the UK guys.

So that’s my story and I wanted to share it with every arthritis sufferer - as I know how life-consuming that “pain & drain” can be. You have absolutely nothing to loose by trying these capsules – totally natural, safe for children from the age of 5, and if they don’t work for you in the first 4 days … you can get your money back.

Don’t take my word for it --- try them for yourself:

www.belinecapsules.co.uk

p.s. my 74 year old mother tried them, after seeing the difference in me, and is now free of the pain of bursitis for the first time in 15 years.

Frustrated with Rheumatologist

Cat White — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 12:56:23 GMT

Hi. I work in medical publishing, and I am pretty familiar with the progression of various diseases. A few months ago, I developed pain in a joint on my right index finger, quickly followed by pain in a parallel joint of my left index finger. Shortly after, I developed a hard, red bump on my knuckles. I also started to experience regular pain in my left wrist, occasional pain in my right wrist, general achiness in my hands, pain in my elbows but only when carrying heavy things or when I bend them in my sleep, and pain in my right knee (where I've had a prior injury). I also find that my jaws get really tired and sore while trying to eat some things.

Long before my finger pain, I had episodes where my shoulders would get so tired, stiff, and sore, almost like I'd been lifting weights, and these would last a few days.

Additionally, I've had a few weird instances with my muscles. In one case, I was typing and suddenly I had a searing pain under my arm that spread to my right rib cage. I felt like my ribs were on fire. I had a similar instance in my left arm while reaching to get something I dropped and last night one of my abdominal muscles after bending over.

I also have been waking up occasionally feeling like someone has jabbed a knife in my calf muscle, which is quickly relieved with a hot shower.

(I apologize if all this sounds weird.) After the bilateral presentation in my fingers, I figured it sounded like arthritis. My primary care physician agreed but because I only have a partial stomach did not want to give me any strong medications. I decided to see a rheumatologist.

My sediment rate was elevated, but my c-reactive was normal (3.3), and he said this made no sense and the sed rate was probably lab error (however, I am moderately anemic, which can apparently cause a high sed rate and is also apparently associated with RA). All my other tests were normal (Rheumatoid factor, 3.9) except the parvovirus B IgG test, which was 6.1.

For my CBC, my white blood cell count is elevated as are my neutrophils, which I've read can be associated with RA.

My hand xrays were pretty normal, except for slight thickening of the bone where the two index fingers have the nodules.

I also do not wake up stiff and my joints don't get "hot." It is hard to tell with my fingers and wrist because they are just always stiff and sore. I do notice if I keep any of my joints in a bent position for a long time, they hurt more.

So he told me I do not have rheumatoid arthritis and instead I have motion injury and need to see a physical therapist for hand therapy. I don't know why both fingers would be affected at the same time and develop the same bumps. I use my left index finger a lot on the mouse, but I don't use my right index finger excessively for anything.

I am very frustrated, because I have read that treating this early can stave off permanent joint damage. I've also read that people can have RA even with negative blood tests and x-rays, which is more likely in the early stages of disease.

I am going to get a second opinion, but I am worried it will be the same as the first, and I will end up like my great-grandmother, who had these very shriveled, gnarled arthritic hands at age 60. My father also started developing arthritis in his hands in his late 30s (my age), and it just seems likely to me that this is my problem.

jia

jackie nolan — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 06:25:30 GMT

my daughters just been told got jia a joint desease wat effects the hips and knees shes just had op in march to be drained and steriods put in

if anyone else suffers from it love to ere from :)

Just found out have OA

Lesley Tubbs — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 03:27:20 GMT

Hi,
I'm Lesley and 46 a picture of health. I run my own cleaning services, work out everyday at least once. My ankles had been hurting so I went to my chiropractor who is also a sports doc and realized I had more joints than my ankles that hurt and he said it was OA. Do I need more of a diagnosed and where do I start my family doc? Also what can I take naturally. I don't and can't stop working cleaning is how my husband and me support our family. I run 1/2 marathons and don't plan on giving that up any time soon. Thanks for all the help.
Lesley

confusion

Ingrid Not Specified — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 11:42:44 GMT

I just got the diagnoses of Arthritis. At the same time, I received a Cortisone injection and feel so much better. I have tons of energy and barely any pain. My Arthritis is in my knees, hips, rib cage and neck and suddenly I can walk and move again.
I do have a lot of questions though.

Does anybody feel pain from pants? My hips are hurting while I am wearing jeans that are a little more tight then sweats. This didn't go away after the injection.

The other question is, for years I had joint pains everywhere. Especially when the weather was changing. I also had a very low energy level. Could this all be from the arthritis? Since the injection, I feel almost human again and I am very surprised about the impact.

My last question for now is, does Glucosamine really help? I hear lots of confusing stories about this supplement.

Thanks for all your time and I hope to get some answers. I am trying to learn as much as possible as fast as possible.
:)

Hello ALL.....My introduction

Pamela Turner — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 20:22:00 GMT

Hi all ! My name is Pamela Turner. I live in Michigan.I am 39 years old, and was officially diagnosed Jan 5 th 09 with RA. I have had suspicions for a few years but finally went to rheumy and got conformed.The doctor ordered blood work ...my R Factor was a whooping 157.00 and he did x rays of hands and feet. Both of my little toes have permanent bone damage.( Bone Erosion).I also had a rheumatoid nodule taken off my index finger a few months ago. I didn't know what it was until after the surgery the biopsy of it came back positive for Rheumatoid.But I have not had any aches or pains to speak of for a few years.The rheumy thinks its in a remission state but wants to see me in 6 months, or sooner, if I have any problems.Today I went to a new family doctor for this awful cold I caught.I had to check yes to the arthritis box on the health history questionnaire.I was really hard to do but I did it.So it looks like I am actually starting to accept this diagnosis!I am still scared about it.But its getting easier, I guess.Thank You all for being such wonderful people to talk to! Pam

Newbie here! Finally a DX that puts it all together!

Liz M — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 22:16:05 GMT

Hi all! I'm new and still figuring my way around this diagnosis and around this site. I appreciate any advice and directions to the best resources!

I have had many dx over the last 10 years (Psoriasis, IBS, Chronic Dry Eye - just to name a few). My most recent dx is undifferintiated inflammatory arthritis. I do have Psoriasis (and the above dx's would suggest to me that I have a form of Psoriatic Arthritis), but I am also positive for RF and I thought the Rheumy mentioned something about a Lupus marker, as well. My first Rheumy last year said that I could be one of the lucky ones who has both PsA and RA. Oh joy!

Well, after of years of issues, I finally had enough of the back and neck pain and made my way to the orthopedic to get a referral to the Rheumy. I had a friend who was dx with Ankylosing Spondylitis and her symptoms were just so similar to mine that I thought it was worth a trip. He wanted to put me on MTX last year, but at that point I didn't really have much other joint involvement and no known damage and I was nursing my son. 4 months ago I had a flare up like I have never had before (the whole deal - extreme fatigue, sever joint pain, etc). The wrist pain never went away (especially the right - I can't put weight bearing pressure on either wrist without a great deal of pain - I have also noticed some atrophy in my lower arm muscles). At first, my new Rheumy said the episode was a fluke, but she finally did an u/s that showed signs of chronic inflammation and some flattening of some bones in my hand normally only seen in the elderly). She said some of the other test results and symptoms over the next couple of years should narrow down the type/types.

It has been a long road to a dx! I have felt like I was going crazy for 10 years! Every year brought a new dx. My mother was never supportive, acting like I was just a hypochondriac, while I was feeling like an 80 year old woman in a young woman's body. My husband has attempted to be supportive, but I know he has been sick of talking about my ailments and dealing with the complaints. A couple of years ago I knew that something big was coming - I was very close and possibly right on. I feel somewhat vindicated after years of feeling a lack of support from family and being treated either like a hypochondriac by doctors or peice meal (doctors are so specialized these days that no one treats the whole person and all of their symptoms - I NEVER would have gotten this dx without being my own advocate as a patient and looking for answers on my own)!

Okay, sorry to vent a bit, but I wanted to introduce myself and be open about it. That's the skinny!

Liz

Hello all

Bekah M — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 06:49:59 GMT

[size=3]Hi, I'm Rebekah, or Bekah if you prefer.........I live in Southwest Louisiana, the smack down middle of hurricanes the past three or four years. I've got RA and possibly Lupus, for seven months now, and I've had Fibromyalgia for about 7 years really. I have a family doctor who is great with working with my Rheumy on helping me because down here men work in the refineries, as does my husband and it's contracted help that has no insurance available. Because it's "Maintenance shut downs" he works, or sometimes it's a few months before there is work again. The money is good, but not enough stability to keep up a heavy monthly payment for healthcare insurance. It's very expensive for me.

I am 50 and he is 38, we've been married 11 very happy years. We have no children. The age difference never made a difference both in appearance and commonality, until now. and even so, he's an angel. He cries when I cry and sometimes when I don't, he gets me started by crying about not being able to do better by me. Breaks my heart! It's the classic American story really...........Nothing is ever wrong until Dis-Ease creeps into one's life and it changes so many things, but not the LOVE.........We still have that and it's seemingly deeper.

On to my problems physically. Fibromyalgia and seering Migraines left me no stranger to pain. I worked my whole life in some kind of agony, but my attitude and my love of people, got me through all things and made many intolerable realities much more tolerable. I have a lot of tenacity and a high strung spiritual personality. Then we go through all these hurricanes, deaths, many things changed including my health. Something triggered this all at once.

I went into the ER with flaming red eyes, flaming temperature, what felt like shards of glass in every joint of my body, barely walking, I was a very sick woman. They found a mass on my inner thigh and drained it. It was a part of an e coli infection from my kidneys. The doctor then noticed the swelling in the hands and feet and the nodules he felt. He told me, "Those hands are Rheumatoid and the feet, the rest you'll need to see a rheumatologists for tests."

I got bloodwork done and it turned out that I had uveitis in my eyes, E coli in my kidneys, Human Parvo Virus gram negative..........RA factor was very high, and I was positive for ANA.......EEK!

I immediately checked into the hospital, where every test lead them to the question is it RA or Lupus or both?........Seven months later, lot's of pain, walking with a cane when I can get up, I am still waiting for a permanent diagnosis so that I can at least start the long process of state health care benefits. My tests for DSDNA and Anti Histones will be in this week and it will give my rheumy a diagnosis of one or both..........

In this short seven months, because I cannot tolerate steroids, and have so many drug allergies which is common with fibromyalgia, we are on what's on my signature line for now. After this diagnosis I am thinking he will try the mtx.........

You guys are all so sweet and wonderful and I feel I will find answers, support, friendship, and a fine family in this forum. Pain is something none of realized what it took to live with until we had it. I mean, the FIbro was awful, but this is a nightmare. The Effexor XR is a double uptake inhibitor, both serotonin and norepinephrine for anxiety. I couldn't tolerate Cymbalta. The Effexor is working well.............

Thanks for hearing some of my story. I am really exhausted so I'll end here.......GOD bless each of you and bring healing and love to your lives...............[/size]

Scared about taking Prednisone

Torie Peters — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 17:59:37 GMT

Hi, I hope someone can give me encouragement/advice. I was diagnosed with RA less than a month ago. They caught it really early, with less than a year of symptoms. I have a little bit of discomfort in my feet, no pain elsewhere, and no joint damage yet. But the rheumy still wants to put me on a 7.5mg/day course of Prednisone for 2 years. I suppose it's a preventative measure? I kind of think this seems extreme at this point though, and I'm TERRIFIED of the side effects of Pred, especially the weight gain that seems inevitable. Can anyone give me advice about Pred? Thanks for any help, I feel as if there is no one to talk to about it all.

RA or Lupus?

kathleen sheerin — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 15:36:58 GMT

I have been experiencing joint and bone pain associated with swelling and burning in my feet and hands; severe muscle cramps in my calves; mouth sores; raised, itchy, painful rash on my torso, problems with concentration; forgetfullness; vertigo; pluerisy; unexplained bruising on my hands and fingers; headaches; extremely dry skin; blurred vision and dry hair . Also had some type of seizure on 12/31 resulting in total loss front end accident. Have no recollection of events.

Bloodwork shows normal sed rate and ana; high ra factor. Blood work done on 12/26/08. Brain MRI normal and Brain EEG also normal. Xray shows arthritis in spine.

Am trying to get an appointment with a rheumatoid doctor.........

No meds prescribed.

Any guidance greatly appreciated.

hip pain

Ingrid Not Specified — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 12:54:48 GMT

I am getting used to the fact that I have arthritis. Not too bad, my cortisone injection did a great job.
My question is about my hips. I am in a lot of pain. After resting, I can barely walk. Both sides are hurting. How do I know if this is also arthritis? The pain is on the outside and pelvic area. Moving my legs side ways hurt even more.
It feels like the whole pelvic, hip and lower back area is hurting.
Any body recognize this as arthritis pain?

Thanks for any info. I don't want to keep on bugging my physician with complains. Maybe it's time for a rheumy?

Methotrexate delayed nausea

Charity Walton — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 13:05:35 GMT

Hi, I was just diagnosed with RA last week and started on Methotrexate Friday evening at a dosage of 12.5 mg. I took the dosage on Friday hoping that if I had a negative reaction it wouldn't be during the work week, but the only reaction I seemed to have this weekend was feeling even more tired. Otherwise I was fine both Saturday and Sunday. Monday I started getting some GERD symptoms and that evening started getting stomach pain during and after supper. I took a couple Tums before bed and it seemed to be okay over night. Then during the night I started with a headache in the back of my head and neck, and now today have extreme nausea and stomach cramps to the point where I want absolutely nothing to eat or drink for fear of not keeping it down.

I'm just curious if others have experienced a delayed response to Methotrexate like this, or if this might be something else. I also had a steroid injection but that was last Wednesday, basically a week ago. I did call in to the doc and am waiting for a call back and was hoping for some feedback from others with RA as I wait for an answer from the doc. Any encouragement or information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Charity

zymosine

danny traylor — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 10:09:22 GMT

recently diganosed with ra. currently on methotraxet. has anyone tried zymosine for ra or other arthritis.? if so, what results occured? thanks

danny traylor

Methotrexate ?

Deborah Nealer — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:46:00 GMT

Hi, I just joined the group today. I did not know it existed until today. I am reading everything as I can find the time to do it. But I have a quick question. I started my methotrexate, tomorrow makes my 6th shot of 8cc. I do not think it is working yet.(at least I don't feel a huge difference yet). I also just had to lower my predisone from 20 to 10 the last few days due to the dr thinking it may be making my feet have problems? 20 mg really helped me and made a difference. I do not like being on it though.

Anyway. I am not sure but I think I have noticed that the last 2 weeks that the day before and the day of my shot, I don't feel well. I just don't feel like myself, achy and wierded out kind of..not sure how to explain. I noticed for sure last week after I took the shot the wierdness went away and I felt more like myself. I see that alot of people are having side effects for example tiredness the next day, etc, but the only side effect I feel so far are cold sores on my mouth. I am prone to these and they may not be coming from the meth..other then that. none.

Has anyone ever felt like this before taking their shot? like you take your shot and all of a sudden your feeling better? (not painfree but a little better) This does not make sense to me since it has to be in your system for awhile and it may not even be working for me yet. and 2nd ? If you up your predisone how fast does it go into effect? It seemed like it took a while on me to go into effect...

I am starting to have more pain again today and my feet are swelled and they hurt really bad... I am thinking the body pain is worse due to reducing the predisone but the dr said the feet may be swelling because of the predisone. My feet have been swelled back and forth for the last couple of weeks. Due to my pain I never do this but I have to volunteer on a field trip at my daughters school tomorrow. I am considering taking my shot a day earlier. I am afraid I am going to wake up having that pain and wierdness like last week. After reading some info on methotrexate, I see alot of people are having side effects the next day. I have way more to read but I have not come across anyone saying anything like my question. Maybe the side effects just did not hit me yet...it would be my luck...if I take it tonight I will wake up worse starting tomorrow...

I guess I am getting paranoid here...because I know I have to go somewhere tomorrow and do not want to feel horrible.. I wandered if anyone else ever felt like this and maybe it's not a consequence that I am not feeling well the day the shot is due. Does Meth stay in your system or if you missed a shot, you would feel it.that week...Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks Debbie

New to site, but suffering for 9 years

Melanie Green — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 16:58:55 GMT

Hi, New to all this and pretty much all online sites...

I've been thinking I was totally insane for 9 years now, ever since I had my son @ 19. That's when I started having migratory 'arthritis flares', but never knew exactly what it was... Dr finally gave a DX of palindromic rheumatism last week, but she thinks it is progressing into full RA (MORE TESTS TO COME). Hopng to learn more about all this and how to ease some of the severe pain and disabling swelling....

Thanks

Melanie

New here

Teresa Rogers — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 23:02:10 GMT

I'm thirty now and I've had vague pain in my joints since I was nine. It was always growing pains, until I went to a rheumatologist for the first time at twenty and was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia.

I haven't had any symptoms for 5 years, but about three months ago, it crept back up on me. The fatigue, and the pain. But this time the pain was in my joints, and a lot of them. I have my blood work done at my own office, so I asked my boss, an orthopod, to run just a rheumatoid factor in addition to the CBC and whatever. The Rh came back at 70. Am I finally pointed at my diagnosis? Can you get a false positive that high? Will a 70 warrant medication if it is RA? I know that there are a lot more tests to run, but I can't help but think ahead.

I'm scared!

adrienne0 — Sat, 14 Oct 2006 15:26:52 GMT

I'm new here and I was diagnosed yesterday with RA. The side-effects I'm reading about here are freaking me out. I guess I'm looking for some comforting words. Anybody?? Thanks so much in advance.

Hit by car while bicycling--> bad knee damage--> sudden OA

Peter Emerson — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 13:46:47 GMT

Hello everyone,

Perhaps someone here can offer me info or matters to consider or things to ask when I show up for my next orthopedics appt. set for mid-Dec.

I've been an avid bicyclist since 1972. [Yes, I'm an older guy but have been active for many decades.] In May 2008, while I was riding my bicycle, a careless, inattentive, inexperienced driver hit me on my left side. My left knee was very badly damaged. [I had no pain or problems with my knees before the accident, certainly none when riding my bicycle up hills or into stiff headwinds.]

Due to the fact that I had no guidance or direction from the hospital I was taken to by ambulance, I kept my left leg in a leg immobilizer for 7 weeks. 20 days after the accident an MRI was done of my left knee. The radiologist who read the scan wrote that I had this left knee damage from the accident: MCL Grade 3 tear, LCL Grade 1 tear, a partial tear in both the ACL & PCL, both menisci torn, and bone bruising on the femur and on the tibia.

Before I started p. t. in early August, I didn't have much ROM (range of motion) in my left knee and that worried me. A problem began during the p. t. I think some of the exercises I was told to do either caused or brought out the pain I now have under my left kneecap, pain that hits when I do certain things such as ascending and sometimes descending stairs, when getting into or out of a chair, or when I tried only 1 time for a few minutes nearly 1 month ago to ride my bicycle up a hill. [I'm sure the same under-kneecap pain would strike if I tried to ride my bicycle into a headwind.] [The only bicycle I've been mainly riding since p. t. started is a stationary Schwinn Evolution Comp aerodyne bicycle. I only tested my bicycle outside once nearly 1 month ago and knew from that very brief test ride that I couldn't ride as I once did.]

When I told an orthopedist I had seen about the new under-kneecap pain I have, he said I now have arthritis which I suppose is osteoarthritis. [The p. t. exercises and the Schwinn stationary bicycle both greatly helped with my ROM. I started going to a warm water pool in Sept. and I'll probably soon join the Y so I can go to a pool more often than I can in the arthritis program in the warm water pool. I suspect the pool exercises have probably helped me too.]

I can walk pain-free. I wear a Donjoy "4titude" knee brace which is hinged, is made of aluminum and has 6 velcro straps that hold the brace on my left leg. I do have continued stiffness when the left leg is idle for even a short time, but once I walk around the leg's much better in functioning.

I retain the slimmest hope that with leg/knee exercises and swim pool work, I *might* still improve my left knee more and beef up my left leg muscles but I realize I might never again be able to ride a bicycle as I did before the accident. [I wasn't a bicycle racer before the accident but did ride rather rapidly during my very frequent trips about town and during my separate riding-for-fitness.]

I've had no surgeries ever on my left knee, and no arthroscopy.

Since I want to remain active, I figure it's too soon for me to retire from bicycling (but again, I know I might be forced to abandon it--> I'll be brokenhearted if I have to leave it forever).

Do any of you know if there's some very special kind of knee brace that would let me ride a bicycle up a hill or into a headwind? [I only tested my Donjoy knee brace the other day while on my indoor bicycle trainer. I pushed a bit while on the trainer and it seems the Donjoy would not be a good brace for outside riding up hills, etc.]

What other things should I keep in mind and also ask when I see the orthopedist in mid-December?

Am I just being too anxious to be better? Does healing or improving from damage such as mine simply take maybe 1 year from the time of the accident?

Thanks

Not actually new just returning

LaShawnJohnson — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 13:26:50 GMT

I'm not really newly dxs but I did'nt know where to start so I jus came here. My story is a long one but I will try to give the short version. I was dx w/Fibro in the late 90s after spending most of my teen years in pain and not knowin y (also have received the crazy dx and its all n ur head). I always felt like I mite have sumthin else besides Fibro but it wasnt until 2003 that I saw a doc who thought I culd have RA after I told her about my joint pain & she did blood work. Unfortunately she was preg at the time and left after that apt. Fast fwd to 2005 win I was workn & had insurance I was referred to a rheumy who knew what she was doin. Altho my blood work was normal she did a bone scan and said it showed the inflammation in my joints, she also said the bones in my joints were eroding(go figure!!!)Well I quit that job so culd work closer to home, big mistake and ended up havin 2 leave that one cuz I was hospitilized (another long story). So now Im waitin to c if my disability will come thru but in the meantime I have no ins. and the last idiot Rheumy I was referred 2 insisted he did not c where I had RA even after I had my medical records sent over from the Rheumy who dx me. So now Im w/o meds and in this God awful pain suffern silently so my fam won't get worried. Don't know where 2 go from this point and needed sum1 2 vent with. I have bin an AF member for a while but just haven't been on the boards 4 sum time. Well that's my sob story. Hope every1 is havin a good day 2day.

Shawn

Finally diagnosed after two miserable years!

KnockoutKatie — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 13:18:57 GMT

Hey I'm Katie On RA connect section of the board, I ghave a brief history of my past, how everyone said fibromyalgia. Yesterday I went to UCLA for my appointment with a pediatric rhematologist.]First off I was so impressed with this doctor. She examined me for a very long time, longer than any doctor I had been too. She was shocked at the amount of swelling in my fingers, wrists, knees, ankles, and toes. This was the first rhematologist who said that my RA factor does help confirm the diagnosis but it's not the end all be all.

She is almost sure that I have polyarticular JRA. I was actually suprised because I thought I may have systemic JRA. She wanted me to take a blood test, (which I did ASAP after I left her office) She is cchecking my RA factor again, doing a lupus panel, and wants to make sure I'm healthy enough to start on Methotrexate!

I'm so excited to try this because naproxen isn't cutting the pain enough, or stopping the diease. She thinks I will respond well to medication and she was suprised that it took so long for someone to diagnose me. She explain how my mucles are contracting around the joints and why they were soooo sore in the beginning. She was intrested in the rash but we will have another appointment on October 15th to go more in depth.

She will calling us on friday when the tests come back and hopefully start treatment.

When I left her office I just cried. I was sooo happy that a doctor didn't think I was CRAZY!!!!!

I have a famly friend in her early 70's and has suffered from RA for 20 years and her hands are disfigured, but recently a doctor finally put her on humira and it works wonders for her. She is able to move her hands! She was talking to my parents and she said, I can't even tell you how much pain she has been in these past two years. I broke down!!! I had always understood her pain and she understood mine and it just felt like such a relief that I wasn't insane or I was a cry baby, or I complained too much.

My mother was so happy because she knows this will work, we have so much hope for the future. My dad seems a little sad about the diagnosis of JRA.

I had so much anger inside of me when people kept telling me I wasn't really sick which St. Judes told me. They said my brain was firing off pain and I was the one who could stop it. The same rhematologists who treated me so horribly before said to me (I will never forget this) "It's fibromyalgia, and yes your're in pain but we are all in pain. Like my shoulder hurts today." she turned to her nurse and her nurse said "Oh yea we all have pain." Well doctor I think you were wrong.

I'm not angry at myself anymore most of my anger just vanished. The only anger I have is for the rhemtologists who turned me away because my Ra factor, and didn't examine me more than a minute. The last rhemtologist I went to, my hands were like claws and hurt so bad and she said they didn't look arthritic. I wish ONE doctor took the time to examine me in the beginning and try just a little bit harder just a little bit so I wouldn't have to suffer like this.

To not be able to attend school full time has put such a ruined so many friendships. I'm not like any of the teenagers at my school. I want to to be able to do what i used to love. Rockclimbing. Hopefully some day I can go out and not be afraid of the pian. I'm striving to be 100% better but I wll stettle for any pain relief. I know that it's a long process, and side effects are going to be nasty, but I just want SOME pain relief.

Oh in the summer I walked 3miles a day but now I walk 1.5 during the week because of school and 3 on the weekends so I have cut back recently.

I feel so valiadated, I'm just so overwhelmed. Call me crazy but I have so much hope and I'm so optimistic about things now.

I always recorded on my DVR mystery diagnosis, diagnosis X, and I always thought when will my mystery be solved and yesterday it was.