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...
I broke my FIRST bone EVER a couple of weeks ago!
Non-impact fracture of a rib. 5th rib at the back on the right side.
I was sitting on the foot of my bed reaching down to open the bottom dresser drawer. Its kinda sticky so I had to reef on it a bit. Sat back up and SNAP/CRACK - audible noise and 30 second of blinding pain.
Then the pain went away and I moved my shoulders and back around and it felt fine. I thought oh well my spine just cricked a bit. The next day under my armpit was a bit sore - thought I just pulled a muscle.
By Friday I couldn't breathe without it hurting. I spent the weekend in a fair bit of pain and when to the doc on Monday. Got Xrays and the next day they tell me YEP you broke a rib.... I'm only just 40 years old and now non-impact fracture...likely due to Osteoporosis. It does run in my mom's side of the family so I new it was a risk and add MTX and Prednisone and BOOM breaking bones!
Earlier this week it was just starting to feel better (I could sleep again) and then I take a bad fall in the driveway. I tripped over a tuff of grass in a crack in the cement and when flying. With the RA I can't catch my balance again like I used to, my left knee just wouldn't hold me up off-kilter like that and BOOM down I went.
IMAPCT fracture this time... ribs again but the left side. I fell against the wooden steps on the front entry and scrapped up my leg pretty bad. There I was sitting on the ground (I live alone) wondering how I was gonna get back up. My neighbor was in his garden so I almost called out for him.... he's in his 80's.
GREAT! Call over the 80 year old guy to help the crippled 40 year old up off the ground."HELP, I've fallen and I can't get up" - having flashbacks to those commercials on TV. LOL - except really not that funny!
I was able to shimmy on my but over to the bottom stair and gingerly scootch up on the bottom stair then the second stair on my butt. Then I was able to get upright from there!
Went to E-merg on Friday night when I realized I'd broken more ribs. I have no doubt I'll get a phone call on Monday confirming the xray.
Now another two weeks of not being able to sleep - can only lay on my back which I never get quality sleep in that position all night.
ONE GOOD THING.... they are now treating the osteoporosis instead of waiting until menopause. I could never get them to take my family history risk seriously before this. I'd been chipping teeth easily this year and brought it up with my GP - he didn't take it seriously.
Well it serious now! They've put me on Didrocal, starting it on Monday.
My Rheumy scoffed and the idea of a bone scan. I thought it would be a good idea to get a baseline scan before I started the meds.... he apparently doesn't believe in them - says their unreliable..... Hmmm?
Bone scan.... should I insist on one now? Any opinions?
Also what kind of scan... are their different kinds?
Non-impact fracture of a rib. 5th rib at the back on the right side.
I was sitting on the foot of my bed reaching down to open the bottom dresser drawer. Its kinda sticky so I had to reef on it a bit. Sat back up and SNAP/CRACK - audible noise and 30 second of blinding pain.
Then the pain went away and I moved my shoulders and back around and it felt fine. I thought oh well my spine just cricked a bit. The next day under my armpit was a bit sore - thought I just pulled a muscle.
By Friday I couldn't breathe without it hurting. I spent the weekend in a fair bit of pain and when to the doc on Monday. Got Xrays and the next day they tell me YEP you broke a rib.... I'm only just 40 years old and now non-impact fracture...likely due to Osteoporosis. It does run in my mom's side of the family so I new it was a risk and add MTX and Prednisone and BOOM breaking bones!
Earlier this week it was just starting to feel better (I could sleep again) and then I take a bad fall in the driveway. I tripped over a tuff of grass in a crack in the cement and when flying. With the RA I can't catch my balance again like I used to, my left knee just wouldn't hold me up off-kilter like that and BOOM down I went.
IMAPCT fracture this time... ribs again but the left side. I fell against the wooden steps on the front entry and scrapped up my leg pretty bad. There I was sitting on the ground (I live alone) wondering how I was gonna get back up. My neighbor was in his garden so I almost called out for him.... he's in his 80's.
GREAT! Call over the 80 year old guy to help the crippled 40 year old up off the ground."HELP, I've fallen and I can't get up" - having flashbacks to those commercials on TV. LOL - except really not that funny!
I was able to shimmy on my but over to the bottom stair and gingerly scootch up on the bottom stair then the second stair on my butt. Then I was able to get upright from there!
Went to E-merg on Friday night when I realized I'd broken more ribs. I have no doubt I'll get a phone call on Monday confirming the xray.
Now another two weeks of not being able to sleep - can only lay on my back which I never get quality sleep in that position all night.
ONE GOOD THING.... they are now treating the osteoporosis instead of waiting until menopause. I could never get them to take my family history risk seriously before this. I'd been chipping teeth easily this year and brought it up with my GP - he didn't take it seriously.
Well it serious now! They've put me on Didrocal, starting it on Monday.
My Rheumy scoffed and the idea of a bone scan. I thought it would be a good idea to get a baseline scan before I started the meds.... he apparently doesn't believe in them - says their unreliable..... Hmmm?
Bone scan.... should I insist on one now? Any opinions?
Also what kind of scan... are their different kinds?
Peace and a fall free day
Bluedogs2
My Mom has Osteoporosis and OA and is not doing well. I'm headed in the same direction.
You should get a Bone Density Scan. I had one about 4 years ago and found that I had Osteopenia in my left hip. I will be asking for another at my Rheumy appt. this week. I know he'll say yes. I hate to see the results. My teeth are still okay.
You need some new Drs. to go with your Bone Density Scan.
Much luck to you with both.
I had broken ribs, they take forever to heal. So sorry about all this.
I'd definitely insist on some sort of bone density test. If your rheumy thinks the scan is unreliable, he should recommend another test, not just ignore the whole issue.
I thought the bone density scan was routine. You should definitely advocate for that. I hope you feel better very soon.
Apparently Didrocal is not the most effective med but the only one MSP will pay for here until you can prove it doesn't work for you or had bad side effects.
I'll have to clarify my Rheumy's position on scans... apparently a "bone scan" and a "bone density scan" are not the same thing... we were taking about broken ribs due to non-impact fracture.... so I assume my Rheumy knew I meant a "density" scan.
Maybe I shouldn't assume! He was paying more attention to his Student working with him that day than he was to me!
Thanks everyone for your messages.
I agree with those suggesting you get bone scans - so glad you are insisting on one.
I hope you get excellent care and fast relief ASAP!
p.s. I had a good "LOL" moment with the "HELP I've fallen and I can't get up" flashback -- when I fall down, which is much more often now with the RA -- I always think of that commercial and I tend to start laughing which does not help my situation....b/c I end up sprawled out on the floor laughing like a crazy person! ; )