Guest guest Posted October 26, 2001 Report Share Posted October 26, 2001 Thanks Joanne Right now the RA isn't too bad. I was diagnosed in August. The rheumy is pretty sure it's RA, but also tested for lupus, lyme disease, fifth's disease and who knows what else. I'm sorry my posts are so long. I will try to explain my story. After the hand surgery, I had aches and pains occasionaly, but nothing major and I really didn't give it any thought. The next major attack of pain started about 5 years ago, and the way it started was a little strange. I can remember it very clearly. I went to bed feeling just fine, but woke up the next morning with pain in my big toe joint on my right foot. My first thought was that I must have banged my foot on something the day before and just forgot about it, or I must have kicked the wall in my sleep. The pain was like a bad bruise. I kept waiting for it to go away. I held out for 3 months before going to the doc. They did x-rays, but said there was nothing wrong, I felt like they thought I was imagining the pain or something. I went home feeling a little down, because it seemed like the doc didn't believe me. This continued on for about 3 more months, and finally I got a refferal to a podiatrist. I thought finally someone would be able to help. I had several appts, and several injections of cortizone (spelling??), but the pain kept moving around my foot and had also started in the other one. I thought the other foot hurt because I was putting more stress on it by favoring the other one. This continued and finally I was referred to a different podiatrist. He said I probably had a fracture and it just wasn't showing up on x-ray. So he put me in a cast. When I came out of the cast, I had only minor pain once in a while. Eventually all the pain came back. I started with the appts again, but the docs just kept looking at me like I was crazy or something because they didn't know why I was having pain. I had decided that I was just going to pretend like it didn't hurt and if it did, then I would just have to live with it. About 2 years ago I started having bouts of what docs said was bursitis in my shoulders, couldn't lift my arms at all. A year ago my health insurance changed and the pain in my feet had gotten so much worse, so I thought I would give the docs another try. Prev I was in an HMO, but this time a PPO so I was able to choose my own doc. I went in not with high hopes, but was surprised when the doc had a good idea what my prob was and sent me to an ortho doc to confirm. Ortho doc confirmed that i had a " Morton's Neuroma " . It's a begnign tumor that attaches to the nerves, pinches and causes pain. They scheduled surgery and in Feb of this year. I was so happy. I was in a post-op shoe for a month. Thants went everything started really going wrong and so fast. Both of my feet started aching terribly about 2 weeks after I got out of the post op shoe. I just continually got worse and very painful. My husband had lost his job and with it our health ins, and we couldn't afford cobra. I didn't have ins through my job, so I tried to deal with it. Couldn't take it any more, and asked my boss to get a group health plan, (there are only 2 emp's her, grp). Within a week we had ins, and I had an appt 2 days later. Doc did blood test, suspected RA. I test showed elevated sed and positive ra factor. She put me on prednisone taper. When I went in to see her, I could barely walk. The pain had spread to my knees and wrists. She started me at 60mg daily and said I could keep taking the ibuprofen until I saw the rheumy. Almost all of the pain left within 2 days. Now taking hydroxychloroquine 800mg day to kick start for 2 months after that I drop to 400mg day and still on pred 7.5mg day. FINALLY, MY QUESTION. How long have I really had ra, were all of my other probs simply ra all along? I am very sorry this is so long. Thank you sooo much for listening. Martha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 26, 2001 Report Share Posted October 26, 2001 Martha: I am so sorry to hear you had to go through this for such a long time. I wish I could help you out more. I am sort of new to the group. Since like Aug. I have RA but it hasn't gotten too bad yet. Only flares...alot more lately because of stress and stuff. I haven't had any major problems but I am sure someone from this group can help you because they are all so knowledgable.. Even if they don't know, they look it up and get back to you. That is what is so great about everyone here. Sometimes I am able to help a little more because I learn about all of this in Nursing school. Good luck And welcome to the group Colleen Check out my website at: http://www.geocities.com/callyanne21/ >From: " MARTHA " <martha@...> >Reply- >< > >Subject: RE: [ ] Re:toes dislocating >Date: Fri, 26 Oct 2001 11:29:43 -0700 > >Thanks Joanne > >Right now the RA isn't too bad. I was diagnosed in August. The rheumy is >pretty sure it's RA, but also tested for lupus, lyme disease, fifth's >disease and who knows what else. I'm sorry my posts are so long. I will >try to explain my story. After the hand surgery, I had aches and pains >occasionaly, but nothing major and I really didn't give it any thought. >The >next major attack of pain started about 5 years ago, and the way it started >was a little strange. I can remember it very clearly. I went to bed >feeling just fine, but woke up the next morning with pain in my big toe >joint on my right foot. My first thought was that I must have banged my >foot on something the day before and just forgot about it, or I must have >kicked the wall in my sleep. The pain was like a bad bruise. I kept >waiting for it to go away. I held out for 3 months before going to the >doc. >They did x-rays, but said there was nothing wrong, I felt like they thought >I was imagining the pain or something. I went home feeling a little down, >because it seemed like the doc didn't believe me. This continued on for >about 3 more months, and finally I got a refferal to a podiatrist. I >thought finally someone would be able to help. I had several appts, and >several injections of cortizone (spelling??), but the pain kept moving >around my foot and had also started in the other one. I thought the other >foot hurt because I was putting more stress on it by favoring the other >one. >This continued and finally I was referred to a different podiatrist. He >said I probably had a fracture and it just wasn't showing up on x-ray. So >he put me in a cast. When I came out of the cast, I had only minor pain >once in a while. Eventually all the pain came back. I started with the >appts again, but the docs just kept looking at me like I was crazy or >something because they didn't know why I was having pain. >I had decided that I was just going to pretend like it didn't hurt and if >it >did, then I would just have to live with it. About 2 years ago I started >having bouts of what docs said was bursitis in my shoulders, couldn't lift >my arms at all. A year ago my health insurance changed and the pain in my >feet had gotten so much worse, so I thought I would give the docs another >try. Prev I was in an HMO, but this time a PPO so I was able to choose my >own doc. I went in not with high hopes, but was surprised when the doc had >a good idea what my prob was and sent me to an ortho doc to confirm. Ortho >doc confirmed that i had a " Morton's Neuroma " . It's a begnign tumor that >attaches to the nerves, pinches and causes pain. They scheduled surgery >and >in Feb of this year. I was so happy. I was in a post-op shoe for a month. >Thants went everything started really going wrong and so fast. Both of my >feet started aching terribly about 2 weeks after I got out of the post op >shoe. I just continually got worse and very painful. My husband had lost >his job and with it our health ins, and we couldn't afford cobra. I didn't >have ins through my job, so I tried to deal with it. Couldn't take it any >more, and asked my boss to get a group health plan, (there are only 2 emp's >her, grp). Within a week we had ins, and I had an appt 2 days later. Doc >did blood test, suspected RA. I test showed elevated sed and positive ra >factor. She put me on prednisone taper. When I went in to see her, I >could >barely walk. The pain had spread to my knees and wrists. She started me >at >60mg daily and said I could keep taking the ibuprofen until I saw the >rheumy. Almost all of the pain left within 2 days. Now taking >hydroxychloroquine 800mg day to kick start for 2 months after that I drop >to >400mg day and still on pred 7.5mg day. FINALLY, MY QUESTION. How long >have >I really had ra, were all of my other probs simply ra all along? I am very >sorry this is so long. >Thank you sooo much for listening. > >Martha > > > _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 27, 2001 Report Share Posted October 27, 2001 Hi Martha Sorry it has taken awhile to get back to you but I am down in bed again with my monthly sinus infection..YES indeed it could have been RA years ago!!!!It took rheumatologists 6 yrs to diagnose my RA...they had me diagnosed with Lupus, RA, multiple sclerosis..you name it. And I al had a Morton's neuroma!!interesting !!And many times my shoulders with be so terribly painful from bursitis/tendonitis, I couldn't liftthem. I have also had the same thing in my groin. Refresh my memory. Is the med you are taking Plaguinil?Just watch the e Martha. It is a miracle drub but with many serious side effects. I take 5 mg a day to keep going (along with pain med) but I try never to go higher..it can cause osteoporosis, cataracts..just to name a few...Hope this info it helps Joanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 27, 2001 Report Share Posted October 27, 2001 Joanne, My " monthly sinus infections " have stopped since I have been on METHOTREXATE. Don't know why...concidence? And also, one of the " side effects " of the Methotrexate was suppose to be with Lungs. Well, my LUNGS have cleared, and I can now breathe without being heard in the next room! But my gums started bleeding tonight. Never done this before. Am wondering if it is the MTX. Susie boop wrote: > Hi Martha > Sorry it has taken awhile to get back to you but I am down in bed > again with > my monthly sinus infection..YES indeed it could have been RA years > ago!!!!It > took rheumatologists 6 yrs to diagnose my RA...they had me diagnosed > with > Lupus, RA, multiple sclerosis..you name it. > And I al had a Morton's neuroma!!interesting !!And many times my > shoulders > with be so terribly painful from bursitis/tendonitis, I couldn't > liftthem. I > have also had the same thing in my groin. > Refresh my memory. Is the med you are taking Plaguinil?Just watch the > e > Martha. It is a miracle drub but with many serious side effects. I > take 5 > mg a day to keep going (along with pain med) but I try never to go > higher..it can cause osteoporosis, cataracts..just to name a > few...Hope this > info it helps > > Joanne > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 27, 2001 Report Share Posted October 27, 2001 Hi So you suffer sinus infections also? Between RA and constant sinus infections, I am sick of being sick. How rotten they make you feel and too often they are occurring. If I take methotrexate, I will get a sinus infection within 10 days.... The only thing I know methotrexate does to the mouth is cause mouth sores either around the inside or the tongue but I never heard of bleeding. Do you have any history of gum disease because that will do it? Joanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 27, 2001 Report Share Posted October 27, 2001 I've never had gum disease. My ENAMEL is thinning the dentist says. But he can't explain why, or the reason my teeth are getting so many cavities now. I get them cleaned now every couple months. My mouth is " dry " , and he thinks that may be reason teeth getting cavities. I have always taken care of my teeth, never had problems with cavities until a couple years ago. NEVER have I had trouble with gums or bleeding though. That is why I thought it may be the Methotrexate. I get die-in-the-rear (diarrhea) (sp?) the day I get the injection, and it lasts a couple days then goes away. (sorry ya'll...couldn't resist the pun! One of them nights, don't ya know!) Susie boop wrote: > Hi > So you suffer sinus infections also? Between RA and constant sinus > infections, I am sick of being sick. How rotten they make you feel and > too > often they are occurring. If I take methotrexate, I will get a sinus > infection within 10 days.... > > The only thing I know methotrexate does to the mouth is cause mouth > sores > either around the inside or the tongue but I never heard of bleeding. > Do you > have any history of gum disease because that will do it? > Joanne > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 27, 2001 Report Share Posted October 27, 2001 Susie, Saliva is the body's way of cleaning our teeth and neutralizes acids. When we have a decrease in saliva, which is common with RA, we get more plaque buildup and cavities, gum disease and bad breath. Sometimes it can be caused by the medicines we take. Love the pun LOL! but sorry your rear dies for a few days. What dose mtx are you on? a Re: [ ] Re:toes dislocating I've never had gum disease. My ENAMEL is thinning the dentist says. But he can't explain why, or the reason my teeth are getting so many cavities now. I get them cleaned now every couple months. My mouth is " dry " , and he thinks that may be reason teeth getting cavities. I have always taken care of my teeth, never had problems with cavities until a couple years ago. NEVER have I had trouble with gums or bleeding though. That is why I thought it may be the Methotrexate. I get die-in-the-rear (diarrhea) (sp?) the day I get the injection, and it lasts a couple days then goes away. (sorry ya'll...couldn't resist the pun! One of them nights, don't ya know!) Susie boop wrote: > Hi > So you suffer sinus infections also? Between RA and constant sinus > infections, I am sick of being sick. How rotten they make you feel and > too > often they are occurring. If I take methotrexate, I will get a sinus > infection within 10 days.... > > The only thing I know methotrexate does to the mouth is cause mouth > sores > either around the inside or the tongue but I never heard of bleeding. > Do you > have any history of gum disease because that will do it? > Joanne > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 27, 2001 Report Share Posted October 27, 2001 I just looked at the vial. It says " 0.5 cc " . Is that about right? He was afraid to give me too much, as I react to EVERYTHING! I think I scare him. Is this alot, or not enough? Susie a wrote: > Susie, > Saliva is the body's way of cleaning our teeth and > neutralizes acids. When we have > a decrease in saliva, which is common with RA, we get more > plaque buildup > and cavities, gum disease and bad breath. Sometimes it can > be caused by the > medicines we take. > Love the pun LOL! but sorry your rear dies for a few days. > What dose mtx are you on? > a > > > Re: [ ] Re:toes dislocating > > > I've never had gum disease. My ENAMEL is thinning the > dentist says. But > he can't explain why, or the reason my teeth are getting > so many > cavities now. I get them cleaned now every couple months. > My mouth is > " dry " , and he thinks that may be reason teeth getting > cavities. > I have always taken care of my teeth, never had problems > with cavities > until a couple years ago. > NEVER have I had trouble with gums or bleeding though. > That is why I > thought it may be the Methotrexate. I get die-in-the-rear > (diarrhea) > (sp?) the day I get the injection, and it lasts a couple > days then goes > away. (sorry ya'll...couldn't resist the pun! One of them > nights, don't > ya know!) > Susie > > boop wrote: > > > Hi > > So you suffer sinus infections also? Between RA and > constant sinus > > infections, I am sick of being sick. How rotten they > make you feel and > > too > > often they are occurring. If I take methotrexate, I will > get a sinus > > infection within 10 days.... > > > > The only thing I know methotrexate does to the mouth is > cause mouth > > sores > > either around the inside or the tongue but I never heard > of bleeding. > > Do you > > have any history of gum disease because that will do it? > > Joanne > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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