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Is it possible??

Here is my story. In December 2012 I had ACL surgery on my left knee. Recovery was great. However 2-3 weeks...

Posted by Tmkowal

Here is my story. In December 2012 I had ACL surgery on my left knee. Recovery was great. However 2-3 weeks into my physical my right foot started swelling and my hands became painful, numb and tingling. After a week or so, I could no longer make a fist. My ortho doc stated that it was something systemic and referred me to my primary. She thought it was carpal tunnell due to my hypothyroid, even though my levels were just a little low. After upping my medication without relief, she stated that I had carpal tunnel and referred me to a neurologist and also even though my rf factor was negative to see a rheumotologist. The neurologist gave me a nerve conduction study and stated that I had carpal tunnel and needed surgery right away. When I asked about the inflammation in my hands, feet (feet are now swollen like sausages 24/7 - several bumps on my hands) he told me that didn't matter, still need surgery. In the meantime I was seeing the Rheumatologist who tested me and everything came back negative. Put me on gabapentin for the numbness in the hands, prescription for splints (which were a god send for the pain) sent me for hand x rays. All tests were negative, xrays were fine, but since I was still complaining of pain, put me on a NSaid, Nambumetone. The splints were the best in relieving the hand pain, the nambumetone helped a little allowing me to finally close my left hand, but far from pain free. Went to see a hand surgeon who stated that i needed surgery but will not operate until the inflammation in my hands has been treated - he also took xrays and noticed a cyst and some calcification on my left wrist. Went back to my RA doc who previously had stated that we might try an RA drug just to be sure, but when I went back stated that no he doesn't want to do that yet and felt that the Nambumetone was helping, prescribed a higher dose and a six day dose of prednisone (not to take together, the prednisone first then after the 6 days back on the Nambumetone). Well, I wasn't convinced, but figured I would try. The Prednisone was like a miracle after the first day almost all of the pain went away, by the second day I was pain free and all of the numbness was gone!!! Life was beautiful again, I couldn't stop smiling. Then I finished my last dose of the prednisone on Wednesday. Woke up at in the middle of the night with incredible knee pain, hands are numb, beginning to swell, feet are already swelling, but now added to the mix is hip and shoulder pain!! Called and they put me on low dose prednisone 7.5 per day, that did nothing, knee continued to get worse until I could barely walk even with a cane, finally got in to the physician again. This time he gave me another 6 day pack and put me on Leflunomide. Once I ended the 6 pack, the swelling started coming back but not as quickly. Saw a new Rheumatologist, he gave me prednisone again to take as needed. Currently taking 10mg per day, hoping to take every other day once the majority of pain and swelling is gone. So my big question is... could I have received RA (tests are still negative) or whatever this is from the cadaver graft I recieved during my ACL surgery? Every doctor I have asked this question to tells me that it is unlikely, however, I cannot find any research online or information. Does anyone know how I can find out about this??View Thread

Posted by Tmkowal

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Is it possible?? Here is my story. In December 2012 I had ACL surgery on my left knee. Recovery was great. However 2-3 weeks...

bad days...worse days

Gone are the good days and bad days. They have been replaced with a series of bad days and worse days. Worse...

Posted by sfonseca7

3 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:bad days...worse days Gone are the good days and bad days. They have been replaced with a series of bad days and worse days. Worse...

bad days...worse days

Gone are the good days and bad days. They have been replaced with a series of bad days and worse days. Worse...

Posted by sfonseca7

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:bad days...worse days Gone are the good days and bad days. They have been replaced with a series of bad days and worse days. Worse...

Swelling of joints,especially feet

Hello everyone! This is my first post...I am 47 years old, and was diagnosed with multiple conditions, 19...

Posted by Seventeen16

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Swelling of joints,especially feet Hello everyone! This is my first post...I am 47 years old, and was diagnosed with multiple conditions, 19...

RA and Pregnancy

I am 25 years old and just had my third kid September of last year. Was diagnosed with RA in March of 2013....

Posted by Brwngyrldai

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:RA and Pregnancy I am 25 years old and just had my third kid September of last year. Was diagnosed with RA in March of 2013....

rituximab

My daughter has had a rituximab infusion 10 days ago, since then she has come off her previous biologic...

Posted by carolerobson

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:rituximab My daughter has had a rituximab infusion 10 days ago, since then she has come off her previous biologic...

Includes Expert Content

rituximab

My daughter has had a rituximab infusion 10 days ago, since then she has come off her previous biologic...

Posted by carolerobson

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:rituximab My daughter has had a rituximab infusion 10 days ago, since then she has come off her previous biologic...

Includes Expert Content

Plaquenil

I started taking plaquenil about 5 days ago. I have been experiencing extreme pain in shoulders, neck and...

Posted by An_251953

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Plaquenil I started taking plaquenil about 5 days ago. I have been experiencing extreme pain in shoulders, neck and...

Support for Rheumatoid arthritis

Hello, I am a Phd student who is carrying out research on the topic of 'Online social support for people with...

Posted by NabeelaS

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Support for Rheumatoid arthritis Hello, I am a Phd student who is carrying out research on the topic of 'Online social support for people with...

Rheumatoid Arthritis Suffers-Paid Phone/Web Interv...

Advanced Focus, a national market research company is looking for patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis to...

Posted by An_251919

Take the Poll

What type of medication do you take?

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Rheumatoid Arthritis Suffers-Paid Phone/Web Interview Advanced Focus, a national market research company is looking for patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis to...

is it possible to loose weight on prednisone

anyone who has taken prednisone is it possible to loose weight on high doses of prednisone? I am trying to...

Posted by bettyboop71

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:is it possible to loose weight on prednisone anyone who has taken prednisone is it possible to loose weight on high doses of prednisone? I am trying to...

Biologics Stop Working?

Hi, Just looking to see if anyone has had the experience of their biologic stop working. I've been on Simponi...

Posted by LCover

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Biologics Stop Working? Hi, Just looking to see if anyone has had the experience of their biologic stop working. I've been on Simponi...

Scared/Frustrated/Lots More Questions

I went to the Rheumatologist yesterday for the first time, a little disappointed, and just filled with alot more...

Posted by Tami46

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Scared/Frustrated/Lots More Questions I went to the Rheumatologist yesterday for the first time, a little disappointed, and just filled with alot more...

Middle of the night flares?

Hi, I was diagnosed with RA three years ago and I have been taking monthly injections of Simponi for about 2...

Posted by LCover

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Middle of the night flares? Hi, I was diagnosed with RA three years ago and I have been taking monthly injections of Simponi for about 2...

Question on Aches vs Pain

Hi everyone. I have been diagnosed with RA for a year now and take Methotrexate and folic acid which usually...

Posted by michel708

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Question on Aches vs Pain Hi everyone. I have been diagnosed with RA for a year now and take Methotrexate and folic acid which usually...

Enbrel

I have had severe Poly Rheumatoid Arthritis since I was 17, and I am going to be 55 this year, and have...

Posted by diablo53901

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Enbrel I have had severe Poly Rheumatoid Arthritis since I was 17, and I am going to be 55 this year, and have...

RA pain in feet & purple tinted nail beds in hands

I don't know if a pediatrist should be seen for my foot pain. I've mentioned a couple of times to the rheum dr...

Posted by couponer

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:RA pain in feet & purple tinted nail beds in hands I don't know if a pediatrist should be seen for my foot pain. I've mentioned a couple of times to the rheum dr...

Includes Expert Content

Foggy headed

Does anyone know if being "foggy headed" is a symptom of RA? Is anyone else having that experience?

Posted by An_250520

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Foggy headed Does anyone know if being "foggy headed" is a symptom of RA? Is anyone else having that experience?

drug interaction

can I take melatonin with prednisone?

Posted by bornagain16

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:drug interaction can I take melatonin with prednisone?

Includes Expert Content

RA/muscles

Just wondering if there is any correlation with RA and my thigh muscles aching. When I sit down, and get up,...

Posted by MomMom1958

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:RA/muscles Just wondering if there is any correlation with RA and my thigh muscles aching. When I sit down, and get up,...

My Story

Here is my story. In December 2012 I had ACL surgery on my left knee. Recovery was great. However 2-3 weeks...

Posted by Tmkowal

Here is my story. In December 2012 I had ACL surgery on my left knee. Recovery was great. However 2-3 weeks into my physical my right foot started swelling and my hands became painful, numb and tingling. After a week or so, I could no longer make a fist. My ortho doc stated that it was something systemic and referred me to my primary. She thought it was carpal tunnell due to my hypothyroid, even though my levels were just a little low. After upping my medication without relief, she stated that I had carpal tunnel and referred me to a neurologist and also even though my rf factor was negative to see a rheumotologist. The neurologist gave me a nerve conduction study and stated that I had carpal tunnel and needed surgery right away. When I asked about the inflammation in my hands, feet (feet are now swollen like sausages 24/7 - several bumps on my hands) he told me that didn't matter, still need surgery. In the meantime I was seeing the Rheumatologist who tested me and everything came back negative. Put me on gabapentin for the numbness in the hands, prescription for splints (which were a god send for the pain) sent me for hand x rays. All tests were negative, xrays were fine, but since I was still complaining of pain, put me on a NSaid, Nambumetone. The splints were the best in relieving the hand pain, the nambumetone helped a little allowing me to finally close my left hand, but far from pain free. Went to see a hand surgeon who stated that i needed surgery but will not operate until the inflammation in my hands has been treated - he also took xrays and noticed a cyst and some calcification on my left wrist. Went back to my RA doc who previously had stated that we might try an RA drug just to be sure, but when I went back stated that no he doesn't want to do that yet and felt that the Nambumetone was helping, prescribed a higher dose and a six day dose of prednisone (not to take together, the prednisone first then after the 6 days back on the Nambumetone). Well, I wasn't convinced, but figured I would try. The Prednisone was like a miracle after the first day almost all of the pain went away, by the second day I was pain free and all of the numbness was gone!!! Life was beautiful again, I couldn't stop smiling. Which brings me to today, I finished my last dose of the prednisone on Wednesday. Woke up at 2:30am with incredible knee pain, hands are numb, beginning to swell, feet are already swelling, but now added to the mix is hip and shoulder pain!! Can anyone help??? I will be contacting the doctor in the morning! But is this RA?? If not any ideas????View Thread

Posted by Tmkowal

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:My Story Here is my story. In December 2012 I had ACL surgery on my left knee. Recovery was great. However 2-3 weeks...

Huge price increase for methotrexate

My wife has RA. In the last three months the price of her oral methotrexate has increased by a factor of ten!...

Posted by steve73

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Huge price increase for methotrexate My wife has RA. In the last three months the price of her oral methotrexate has increased by a factor of ten!...

viginal discharge

I have been on Methotrexate for 8 years now and have just developed virginal discharge, I am 68 years of age...

Posted by An_251682

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:viginal discharge I have been on Methotrexate for 8 years now and have just developed virginal discharge, I am 68 years of age...

viginal discharge

I have been on Methotrexate for 8 years now and have just developed virginal discharge, I am 68 years of age...

Posted by An_251682

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:viginal discharge I have been on Methotrexate for 8 years now and have just developed virginal discharge, I am 68 years of age...

dmards and the shingles vaccine

I take plaqenil for ra. I am 60 yoa and need to know if it is safe to get the shingles vaccine? I am other...

Posted by ersewell

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:dmards and the shingles vaccine I take plaqenil for ra. I am 60 yoa and need to know if it is safe to get the shingles vaccine? I am other...

Fine to OMG Severe RA

Hi there, new to this and looking for answers/help. Not yet two months have gone by since I went to my GP...

Posted by retired9207

3 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Fine to OMG Severe RA Hi there, new to this and looking for answers/help. Not yet two months have gone by since I went to my GP...

how to know if my RA is getting worse?

for those of you that have been diagnoses for a while how do you know when your RA is getting worse? i am...

Posted by bettyboop71

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:how to know if my RA is getting worse? for those of you that have been diagnoses for a while how do you know when your RA is getting worse? i am...

Fatigue, Malaise and Children

Hi everyone! Let me start by saying this is a great group and I appreciate everyone and their openness to...

Posted by Steffi_Feffi

Hi everyone! Let me start by saying this is a great group and I appreciate everyone and their openness to share. I am a 36 year old mother of two my son is 11 and my daughter is 3. About a year and a half ago I started getting achy. I dismissed it to a bad mattress, stress, depression after losing my job and left over aches from a fall I had taken. Fast forward to about four months ago when I start getting these random low grade fevers and aches and pains like the flu was coming on but never showed. Now finally about 3 weeks ago I make an appointment with my PCP and find out I have rheumatoid in my blood. Although I haven't been "officially" been diagnosed by a Rheumatologist (apt pending mid-June) my Dr. along with the blood work, symptoms and family history is confident that it's true.
My symptoms have become worse and worse; fatigue, malaise, aching in my shoulders, ankles, calves, shines, wrists, neck and elbows. The worst is the fatigue and I'm thinking depression. Yesterday and today I woke up in pain whereas before it was aching and all I want to do is sleep. I've had to resort to putting a gate up in front of my daughter's door so I can have an extra few minutes to get myself going and I'm safe in the knowledge she's contained in her room. She asked that we read and I could not even hold the book my wrists hurt so badly. She wants to go outside and play and I'm sitting here trying to get the energy to shower let alone chance after a 3 year old. I feel like the worst mother ever. Does anyone have any good tips on raising kids with these symtoms?
I've read and understand these are all basically normal side effects of RA but my question is what do I do to manage until I can see my Rheumatologist and get the right medications etc. My husband although a great man and father just doesn't understand he has read that exercise is key and I'm not disputing that because when I do get up and moving I feel better but I crash so hard after. I tried to tell him I need to conserve my energy for things like housework and playing with the kids and doing my homework (I'm a full time online student). How do I get him to understand that as well? Or is he right do I just shake it off and push through the pain and fatigue?
View Thread

Posted by Steffi_Feffi

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Fatigue, Malaise and Children Hi everyone! Let me start by saying this is a great group and I appreciate everyone and their openness to...

Looking for some guidance

Hi all, I feel terrible for my husband. He's had joint pain for two months now, which came on suddenly....

Posted by KandP1998

6 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Looking for some guidance Hi all, I feel terrible for my husband. He's had joint pain for two months now, which came on suddenly....

Outlook/prognoisis for newly diagnoised people?

Maybe e moderator can comment on this one. What is the outlook / prognois for newly diagnoised...

Posted by Mommyfor2

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This Discussion Report This | Share this:Outlook/prognoisis for newly diagnoised people? Maybe e moderator can comment on this one. What is the outlook / prognois for newly diagnoised...

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