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 All:)
I recently switched to a different rheumatologist. I had actually seen this Dr back in 2003, when my symptoms began. I had a really bad habit of "quitting" on my Dr, cancelling appointments..at the time, work was way more important..pretty dumb, I know! :p
Fast forward to February, 2013...I began seeing a rheumatologist here in my town..She quickly diagnosed me with seronegative RA..(ct scans showed bone erosion, labs, ect )...I began treament on DMARDS with no relief...Then in July 2013, I was on Enbrel for 6 weeks, with some relief in the 3rd week, but then a decline...So, she discontinued that ( I thought I had another 6 weeks to see what it would do ), and wants me to try Humira..WELL, I told her my concerns with the Humira ( more infections ), and asked her if she could recommend some natural supplements that I could add to my treatment...She told me I would have to discuss that with my family Dr..Huh?? I would think she could help me with that...Well, thats when I started thinking about a 2nd opinion..So I contacted the Dr I saw back in 2003 :)
So, I just had my appointment last week, and this Dr has diagnosed me as "Inflammatory, erosive arthritis and enthesitis syndrome", he isn't ruling out RA...He also said that Enbrel should really be given a good 3-4 months to show what it can really do..He also has me taking vitamin D (which according to my labs this past year have been super low(!), and my rheumatologist never addressed it with me), Fish Oil, Tumeric, and a few others I can add later if tolerated. He also is starting me on Enbrel again...I feel really comfortable with this treatment, and should begin the Enbrel next week.
So, I'm just wondering if anyone is familiar with the "enthesitis"? Its my understanding that it has to do with the ligaments being inflammed at the point where they enter the joint....Any info will be appreciated!!
Thank You..Kristen
I recently switched to a different rheumatologist. I had actually seen this Dr back in 2003, when my symptoms began. I had a really bad habit of "quitting" on my Dr, cancelling appointments..at the time, work was way more important..pretty dumb, I know! :p
Fast forward to February, 2013...I began seeing a rheumatologist here in my town..She quickly diagnosed me with seronegative RA..(ct scans showed bone erosion, labs, ect )...I began treament on DMARDS with no relief...Then in July 2013, I was on Enbrel for 6 weeks, with some relief in the 3rd week, but then a decline...So, she discontinued that ( I thought I had another 6 weeks to see what it would do ), and wants me to try Humira..WELL, I told her my concerns with the Humira ( more infections ), and asked her if she could recommend some natural supplements that I could add to my treatment...She told me I would have to discuss that with my family Dr..Huh?? I would think she could help me with that...Well, thats when I started thinking about a 2nd opinion..So I contacted the Dr I saw back in 2003 :)
So, I just had my appointment last week, and this Dr has diagnosed me as "Inflammatory, erosive arthritis and enthesitis syndrome", he isn't ruling out RA...He also said that Enbrel should really be given a good 3-4 months to show what it can really do..He also has me taking vitamin D (which according to my labs this past year have been super low(!), and my rheumatologist never addressed it with me), Fish Oil, Tumeric, and a few others I can add later if tolerated. He also is starting me on Enbrel again...I feel really comfortable with this treatment, and should begin the Enbrel next week.
So, I'm just wondering if anyone is familiar with the "enthesitis"? Its my understanding that it has to do with the ligaments being inflammed at the point where they enter the joint....Any info will be appreciated!!
Thank You..Kristen
Altoclef, is that what yours is saying too?
Thanks to you as well, trish:)
Thanks to you as well, trish:)
And also to Jen :)
I'm not sure where the line is between PsA and AS. My current doctor says I have one with a side dish of the other, but I'm not sure which she thinks is most prominent. My SI joints are pretty trashed, but so are a bunch of others.
While most people have psoriasis of the skin first, others develop it after joint problems, and a few never show it. Involvement of fingernails or toenails is quite common, too- ridges, pitting, nails lifting away from the nail bed. Negative lab results are actually one of the diagnostic criteria for PsA..Here's a link to several different sets for PsA. CASPAR seems to be the current favorite.
http://www.medicalcriteria.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=256%3Areupsa&catid=79%3Arheumatology&Itemid=80&lang=en
I have to wonder how many seronegative RA-ers may actually have PsA. Treatments are pretty much the same, though, so as long as you are getting some sort of treatment, you're getting help, with or without a good diagnosis.