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...

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SusieG 08/08/2018

Hi all - In the last two weeks, I've had several episodes of an INTENSE and IMMEDIATE stabbing pain through my big toe. The first time it happened, it was so severe and quick, I didn't even take the one second it would have taken to look at my foot to see that nothing was there - I actually THREW the full mug of coffee that was in my hand up in the air so I could swat at whatever I thought was stinging (though it felt like a big bad bee sting times 1000) my toe.

The subsequent times that it has happened have been no less severe and have happened both while walking and at rest. At least I'm not taking a coffee bath when it happens now that I know there's nothing attacking me. Unless it is RA attacking from within. Has this happened to anybody else?

nonightshades2 08/09/2018

I have Susie but not the big toe. I don't know if it's the same as yours but when it happened in other toes about the time it all stops I realize the toe has deformed a little. Hope that is not the case for you. If you happen to see a message therapist or a chiropractor ask them to see if you have bone out of alignment that might occasionally pinch a nerve.

My left wrist/hand had been a little irritated so yesterday at the chiro's (regular visit) I mention it after he'd finished the spinal manipulation and he move one bone in the wrist with no problem, the second he moved was more difficult (hurt!) but then it was over and all is good.

Wish you the best.

MarleneJ 08/13/2018

I have had big toe stabbing from a flare. Just your ordinary flare. But, I had gout for a short while, and THAT was the pain from hell. It was so bad, I couldn't even put a sheet on my foot when I went to sleep.

Fortunately it went away on its own. I did check symptoms and causes, and I don't think I had a lot of the food issues, because many of those were meat, and I have been a vegetarian since I was 17. A vegetarian who doesn't eat beans a lot.

So, google it, and if it continues, see your GP or rheumatologist. I hope it just goes away like mine did. But, there are meds, like anyone of us needs to take more. But, if you need it, do it!

SusieG 08/14/2018

It doesn't happen enough (thankfully) to warrant a trip to a Dr. or any meds. It was just weird and I wondered if it happened to anyone else. Besides, it is now overshadowed by notification received yesterday that my new insurance will not cover Humira. Granted, it's not working (yet?), but means I will have to start something else and "give it time to work or not". So, I've not been on any effective treatment since March. Getting so old.

daizy8 08/14/2018

Wow, SusieG, you are having a tough time! I have not been on in ages, but I hear what you are going through. First, regarding your Humira, my doctor set up a patient protection plan (get it free) and no cost. Check with Humira. Second, about the stabbing pain in your toe... and it is a shocking pain, for sure! I have two issues that causes that. I have restless leg syndrome that may be affecting it. I also have neuropathy in my legs, this was caught by my neurologist and he felt it was a direct result of using methotrexate. So no more of that for me. I am sorry you have this going on. Good luck.

SusieG 08/15/2018

Interesting. I do have RLS, but it only bothers me during wintertime for some reason. And I was taken off MTX in March because it angered my liver.

The girls at my doc's office have started the appeals process for me to stay on Humira and are hoping to get me some free samples from their drug rep to carry me through. Bless their hearts! I know it may not work, but I would hate to have wasted 4 months trying and starting that process all over again with a new drug.

MarleneJ 08/15/2018

I hope you can get on the patient program. I know Orencia subsidizes me here in Canada. I have 2 drug plans, but there are gaps at the beginning. So, they pay the difference, or I wouldn't be on it. Too bad biologics are so expensive. I hope Humira works for you. That is my next drug, a trip backwards. But so far, Orencia is working well.

buddhacat 08/25/2018

The discussion wandered a bit from your post, Susie, but another cause of “stabbing” joint pain is pseudo gout. There’s a fancy name (short version is CPPD), but it’s a form of arthritis that leaves deposits of crystals,similar to but NOTthe uric acid crystals from gout.

I have had painful episodes of pseugout in both my great toes (had one fused) and in my pinky toe of my right foot, where I have a tailor’sbunion. But, I have signs (crystals) in a bunch of joints. I don’t know if those are like skeletons from oldattacks, or zombies waiting to pounce.

Look it up. CPPD or Pseudogout.

buddhacat 08/25/2018

PS.

Diet is the ultimate cure for gout but there is a NSAID called Indocin that helps mightily.

Prednisone is very useful for Pseudogout. I was successfully healed on 2 occaisions with 8 day tapers ( 14 x 20 mg) pills.

SusieG 08/30/2018

buddhacat - Skeletons or zombies! Funny. I've not experienced any more stab attacks, so who knows? Right?

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