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...
Sorry y'all but I just have so many questions. I don't have an official DX but I have two doctors that believe I do and have some labs/pathology reports that would support that DX. However...I'm not convinced. Maybe it's denial or wishful thinking. Either way I do have more questions. Thank you to everyone here...y'all have been VERY helpful and supportive on this journey.
Now for my questions. Opening jars/bottles/bags/etc. has become quite challenging from time to time. Some days are easier than others. I've learned to use a knife to open bags (though I've dropped the knife more than once near my foot) but I've yet to find something to help with items that need to be turned. Suggestions?
Also...I've learned that actions, such as knocking on a door, will cause swelling and pain in my knuckles. Even just hitting it walking past a door will cause pain. This that something y'all experience too?
Lastly....do any of you have Dupuytren's?
Now for my questions. Opening jars/bottles/bags/etc. has become quite challenging from time to time. Some days are easier than others. I've learned to use a knife to open bags (though I've dropped the knife more than once near my foot) but I've yet to find something to help with items that need to be turned. Suggestions?
Also...I've learned that actions, such as knocking on a door, will cause swelling and pain in my knuckles. Even just hitting it walking past a door will cause pain. This that something y'all experience too?
Lastly....do any of you have Dupuytren's?
Cassie
I had what should have been very minor hand surgery two years ago. I ended up with a large amount of swelling, stiffness, and pain, not that anyone here knows anything about that trio! In about two months I had a palm full of nodules and a 40-degree contraction of one finger. Classic Dupuytren's, except I was told I had developed 20 years of disease in two months. I had a fasciectomy a few months later, have had the needle procedure since, and it's all come back. The good hand doctor I see (there was a bad one in there) is stumped. It looks like classic Dupuytren's, but the last time I saw him he said the regrowth I have had in less than a year would take 7 - 8 years in someone with highly aggressive disease. Something I have been on, probably the MTX? maybe the prednisone? has caused the nodule to shrink, but done nothing for the contracture.
As to your second question, yes. Joints in my hands I didn't know were inflamed hurt like crazy if bumped.
To help with question 1, teenaged sons. Don't know what I'll do when they're gone.
Alto...I'm so sorry about your Dupuytren's. Most people haven't even heard of it. I discovered a knot on the palm of my hand, between pink and ring fingers...and then another one on my foot. My hand one I've had for a few months but, thankfully, no contracture. The foot one I just discovered this week, sigh. My boys (twins) are in college and my daughter has graduated college and moved out. The hubby travels every week, so I'm mostly at home alone...just me and the dog. Maybe I can train him to help...LOL. Though he and I sometimes fight over the heating pad. I'll have it on my chair and as soon as I get up he'll jump on it! Silly boy!
I've heard that the radiation therapy in Canada has been helpful to many...but going to Canada for treatment is probably out of the question. LOL