Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...
Hello there,
I've been lurking here quite a while, and have learned so much from you all. I thought it was finally time to stop hiding behind my computer and jump into the conversation.
I'm a single woman in my early fifties who was recently diagnosed with Inflammatory Arthritis. My Rheumatologist is leaning towards RA, but my bloodworm doesn't support it yet.
How do I put the last six months into a nutshell? My problems started this summer, with the sudden onset of swelling in my feet and knees. I couldn't figure out what I had done to cause it. (Maybe that long walk with the dog?) My symptoms got worse, and moved to a couple other joints. I was so tired, I was lucky if I could manage to clean up from dinner before crawling into bed.
It took a few trips to my PCP to convince him to test me for Rheumatoid Arthritis. That was the only thing I could imagine it was, after looking up my symptoms. The bloodworm showed a low positive rheumatoid factor.
It took almost three months to get into the rheumatologist's, and he found the same thing. My Anti-CCP test was negative, and the x-rays showed no damage. He put me on a Prednisone bridge and 200 mg of Plaquenil. I had a few side effects with the Plaquenil, but they've diminished
I'm still trying to get used to the "new me" with the aches, pains, and varying levels of exhaustion. The Prednisone had me feeling pretty good for a while, and I think I was in denial. Now that I'm down to 5 mg every other day, my symptoms have returned. The swelling doesn't seem as bad, but it seems to be progressing to new places. I've had aching in my hips and shoulders the last few days, which I never had before.
It's so scary and frustrating waiting to see if the Plaquenil will work, and wondering what med will be next. I have trouble with my liver (possible mild Autoimmune Hepatitis), so there are a lot of meds I won't be able to take. Does anyone else have liver problems? If so, what medications do you take?
I'm really impressed with how supportive and friendly this group is, and I'm really looking forward to being a part of it.
I've been lurking here quite a while, and have learned so much from you all. I thought it was finally time to stop hiding behind my computer and jump into the conversation.
I'm a single woman in my early fifties who was recently diagnosed with Inflammatory Arthritis. My Rheumatologist is leaning towards RA, but my bloodworm doesn't support it yet.
How do I put the last six months into a nutshell? My problems started this summer, with the sudden onset of swelling in my feet and knees. I couldn't figure out what I had done to cause it. (Maybe that long walk with the dog?) My symptoms got worse, and moved to a couple other joints. I was so tired, I was lucky if I could manage to clean up from dinner before crawling into bed.
It took a few trips to my PCP to convince him to test me for Rheumatoid Arthritis. That was the only thing I could imagine it was, after looking up my symptoms. The bloodworm showed a low positive rheumatoid factor.
It took almost three months to get into the rheumatologist's, and he found the same thing. My Anti-CCP test was negative, and the x-rays showed no damage. He put me on a Prednisone bridge and 200 mg of Plaquenil. I had a few side effects with the Plaquenil, but they've diminished
I'm still trying to get used to the "new me" with the aches, pains, and varying levels of exhaustion. The Prednisone had me feeling pretty good for a while, and I think I was in denial. Now that I'm down to 5 mg every other day, my symptoms have returned. The swelling doesn't seem as bad, but it seems to be progressing to new places. I've had aching in my hips and shoulders the last few days, which I never had before.
It's so scary and frustrating waiting to see if the Plaquenil will work, and wondering what med will be next. I have trouble with my liver (possible mild Autoimmune Hepatitis), so there are a lot of meds I won't be able to take. Does anyone else have liver problems? If so, what medications do you take?
I'm really impressed with how supportive and friendly this group is, and I'm really looking forward to being a part of it.
I wouldn't worry about the blood work, either. I was sero-negative for the first 4 years, and even when my meds completely failed and I was bed ridden, my numbers still weren't that high. 30% of all people with RA are sero-negative.
I just got off steroid last week and am now having another flare with neck and shoulders. The Humira is not helping yet. I have been taking it since Nov and my rheumy says it could take up to 6 months....in the meantime we spend a lot of time in pain and waiting to find something that does help.
Please let us know how you are doing and if the treatments help. You are not alone and we really do care.
I agree keep track of changes & how your feeling.
I've read about others with liver problems.
Hopefully someone who has more knowledge chimes in here.
Some meds are tougher then others on that liver.
I believe Orencia may be one.
Enbrel never bother my liver enzymes but others have had some complaints.
Good question for your doctor. I'm sure they would keep a close eye on it.
Glad you came a board & keep us updated.
Sammy
It's like looking outside, the suns shining bright, not a cloud in the sky & very warm but the TV says, "It's raining & 50 degree's out"?
Best of luck to you on your journey!
Hopefully, you will find relief soon
I'll get out the notebook I used to track my symptoms before the Pred worked its magic. It will help when I return to the doctor in March. For now, the Naproxen I've started taking daily is bringing the swelling and discomfort down a manageable level.
As an aside, I just noticed I wrote "bloodworm" instead of "blood work" in my original post. lol Oops! Darn autocorrect!