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...
OK , first alittle insight into my past. I was diagnosed 9 years ago with Fibromyalgea, then RA, at a clinic. Was treated in a research for RA for 2 years where I was put on methotrexate. I have since finally landed a Rheumatologist that seems to be thorough and I really like. He seems to feel more like its Psoriatic arthritis. I have psoriasis so that would make sense. He had me on Humira and methotrexate which would treat either one. Everything had been going as good as it could until about a month and half ago. I had convinced myself I only had fibromyalgea and was on these strong meds for nothing then .... Long story short every joint in my body hates me right now. I have very painfull knots in the balls of my feet and what rhuemy said was a nodule at base of thumb. I also have sores a ll over my tongue. My bones and joints feel so bruised to the touch. Fatigue feels crippling tired! He says I'm in a flare up! He put me on a quick short dose of prednisone along with taking me off methotrexate.
My questions are, when the flare up is over will the knots on the pads of my feet go away? I just love how drs just assume because you are diagnosed and have symptoms then you automatically have knowledge on what to expect. I told the Dr I was afraid joints were starting to deform. He said oh no that takes time. I cannot believe they do not tell us what to expect. Any insight on what to expect would be awesome. I'm a 53 year old grandma that still has so much living to do and so afraid. I have so many house plants and slowly letting them die just because I cannot water them anymore! I know it can be so different for one person verses another but its really scary not having a clue on what to watch for. Any feedback will help me so much. Hugs and thank yous being sent!
My questions are, when the flare up is over will the knots on the pads of my feet go away? I just love how drs just assume because you are diagnosed and have symptoms then you automatically have knowledge on what to expect. I told the Dr I was afraid joints were starting to deform. He said oh no that takes time. I cannot believe they do not tell us what to expect. Any insight on what to expect would be awesome. I'm a 53 year old grandma that still has so much living to do and so afraid. I have so many house plants and slowly letting them die just because I cannot water them anymore! I know it can be so different for one person verses another but its really scary not having a clue on what to watch for. Any feedback will help me so much. Hugs and thank yous being sent!
The prednisone will help with the worst of the pain and swelling, but it might take some time to get off the prednisone.
I am still in the process of finding something that helps with the fatique, pain, flares. I was finally diagnosed in May with RA. I still have Fibro too according to my rheumy. From what I have seen on my ankles and wrists the weird nodules haven't gone away.
I am taking MTX and Humira. The Rheumy keeps telling me it could take up to 6 months to see results with Humira. I started it the end of November.
The sores in your mouth are most likely from the Methotrexate. My rheumy told me she always prescribes Folic acid along with methotrexate because of those mouth sores.
As for those knots. I myself noticed more of those knots after I started taking my prescribed meds. Mostly because my over all swelling went down considerably, and I never noticed them before. Keep in mind also that the anti-inflammatory drugs are not site specific, so you will also notice places them where your body has already compensated. Crazy how our body works. Mine have never gone away.
Also, next time you see your rheumy, push the issue of the nodules. Ask what kind the are. Whether they are on bone, on a tendon, or are they just deposits from fluid build up in the fascia. Some do go away, but it takes time. Some can be removed if they are too serious.
Now as for those poor house plants....I am a big fan of auto watering systems. Whether that be partial or full hydroponic, or a single source with a pump similar to the ones you find in fountains and small ponds. I set up a few that I run that way and just run a small hose, similar to the ones used to aerate fish tanks, and daisy chain them with a timer, and then let them self water. That way I only have to refill the reservoir once or twice a week. You may even be able to use a fish tank, and add some cool fish to hang out with. The internet and your local green thumber may have some great idea to make things easier on you. Take solace in the things you like and love to do. You will come about with some really good "cheats" that help you along. Speaking from experience, Keep your head up.
Vegsto, I loved the ideas of in house watering. I was in landscaping before all of the health issues got in my way. I drowned my love into my own house plants and have just recently started having troubles tending to them.
Thank you both for your ideas and concerns. Hugs, Terri
My rheumy allows me to raise my MTX when I suspect I am starting to flare so as to try to stop it....but I'e been doing this for over 10 years and you are fairly new at this. Time will come when you recognize early symptoms and can ask about raising meds. Many here have scripts for pred at their pharmacies so they can just go and fill it as needed...takes time to build that trust with the rheumy on that too.
It becomes a juggling act....how do you feel, how much pain, how much swelling, do you need more MTX, do you need pred...............it goes on and on. Mouth sores can be from MTX so you may need to take extra folic acid or even a cut off drug like leucovorin that stops the action of MTX after a certain number of hours. We learn to juggle that too.
Each case, whether it be RA or PsA or AS or another, we all need to find the right drug combo and the right dosages and when to titrate upward or downward when a flare recedes. We become experts in our own disorder.
Sounds scary but if you knew how many people have chronic disorders and do the same thing we do, you'd be surprised.
Hang in there.
gentle hugs................Jen
I'm hoping once I'm over this flare the Humira will be enough for a while. I guess that's what my Rhuemy is counting on as well. But I can see him giving me an open rx of mtx. I see him about every 3 mths for blood work.
Hugs, Terri
I'm walking on the part under the toes but the actual toes do not touch the floor. I'm awful at explaining these things.
Same here I started with so many house plants. Many I had for years & now I'm down to a few. Picked up aloe Vera & thinking cactus type so watering is cut down. Already lost one. My green thumb has turned red & swollen, LOL. Have to laugh so I don't mourn the lose of my beautiful plants.
I'll go through those days I hurt head to toe, on or off treatment.
RA, these types of disease have minds of their own...very unpredictable. Just had some great days & then it started. Now I'm moving slow & getting cranky. Hard to plan anything.
Hang in there surely there are better days a head.
Sammy
If I have to put my wait on the pads of my feet at the base of my toes, I'm in trouble. I'm still hoping the knots will go away but reality is telling me they're here to stay. My worst problem as far as toes go is at the base of big toe. Others bother me but not like the big one. Same way with fingers. I also have a problem with toenails thickening. Now a couple of toes are red and tender due to nail I believe.
I've decided the weather is the cause of the bulk of my current pain and spring is just around the corner! We will all feel better then! I just pray for no damage in the mean time. If I'm right then if prednisone works then inflammation was there and that's scares me.
One day/hour at a time
Tender hugs, Terri
I used to feel the same. Now, I'm beginning to think that ignorance is bliss.