RA Plaquenil, plantar fasciitis

[Guest guest]

I'm glad there is a support group like this. I was just diagnosed

with RA a few weeks ago. I'm a male in my 30's. I just feel that my

future has suddenly changed.

I have pain in about 10 different joints. I have pain on the side,

top, and bottom of my foot when walking sometimes and have plantar

fasciitis. Can this be caused by RA?

Also, I was placed on Plaquenil. I've read reports that it may not

stop joint damage. What is the currently recommended medication for

early stages of RA? Should I be trying something else?

Mike

[Guest guest]

Welcome, Mike! Sorry about your recent RA diagnosis.

Which DMARD to choose is a tough call. On the one hand, you want to stop

or slow any damage, but, on the other, you have to be mindful of

toxicity. Plaquenil is a relatively safe DMARD, but, you're right, it's

not the most effective at controlling the disease.

Do you have a very high RF, sed rate, and/or CRP? Any erosions anywhere

already? If you don't appear to have very active, severe disease, that

may be one reason Plaquenil was chosen.

Early on, some rheumatologists also want to make sure the diagnosis is

correct before starting the more toxic but more powerful medications

(like methotrexate).

Yes, plantar fasciitis has an association with RA.

" Patient Guide to Plantar Fasciitis " from s Hopkins:

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/orthopedicsurgery/sports/plantar.html

" A Patient's Guide to Plantar Fasciitis (Heel Pain) " from

MedicalMultimediaGroup.com:

http://www.medicalmultimediagroup.com/pated/foot/heelspur/heelspur.html

[ ] RA Plaquenil, plantar fasciitis

> I'm glad there is a support group like this. I was just diagnosed

> with RA a few weeks ago. I'm a male in my 30's. I just feel that my

> future has suddenly changed.

>

> I have pain in about 10 different joints. I have pain on the side,

> top, and bottom of my foot when walking sometimes and have plantar

> fasciitis. Can this be caused by RA?

>

> Also, I was placed on Plaquenil. I've read reports that it may not

> stop joint damage. What is the currently recommended medication for

> early stages of RA? Should I be trying something else?

>

> Mike

[Guest guest]

Mike,

I can empathize with what you are going through. In my early 30's I

had just been getting used to my prior diagnosis of having lupus when

my new rheumatologist said that I have RA. It has been a very

difficult couple of monthes trying to get used to this. And to add

insult to injury, I can't afford the medications that he put me on

that actually was helping to relieve some of my symptoms.

Let me know if there's anything I can do to help.

I'm glad there is a support group like this. I was just diagnosed

with RA a few weeks ago. I'm a male in my 30's. I just feel that my

future has suddenly changed.

I have pain in about 10 different joints. I have pain on the side,

top, and bottom of my foot when walking sometimes and have plantar

fasciitis. Can this be caused by RA?

Also, I was placed on Plaquenil. I've read reports that it may not

stop joint damage. What is the currently recommended medication for

early stages of RA? Should I be trying something else?

Mike

[Guest guest]

,

Thanks, that puts my mind more at ease for taking Plaquenil. I have

a negative RF, sed rate in high 50's, no erosions. Is it common to

have pain on the side and top of your feet when you walk in RA?

Mark

> Welcome, Mike! Sorry about your recent RA diagnosis.

>

> Which DMARD to choose is a tough call. On the one hand, you want to

stop

> or slow any damage, but, on the other, you have to be mindful of

> toxicity. Plaquenil is a relatively safe DMARD, but, you're right,

it's

> not the most effective at controlling the disease.

>

> Do you have a very high RF, sed rate, and/or CRP? Any erosions

anywhere

> already? If you don't appear to have very active, severe disease,

that

> may be one reason Plaquenil was chosen.

>

> Early on, some rheumatologists also want to make sure the diagnosis

is

> correct before starting the more toxic but more powerful medications

> (like methotrexate).

>

> Yes, plantar fasciitis has an association with RA.

>

> " Patient Guide to Plantar Fasciitis " from s Hopkins:

> http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/orthopedicsurgery/sports/plantar.html

>

> " A Patient's Guide to Plantar Fasciitis (Heel Pain) " from

> MedicalMultimediaGroup.com:

>

http://www.medicalmultimediagroup.com/pated/foot/heelspur/heelspur.htm

l

>

>

>

>

>

> [ ] RA Plaquenil, plantar fasciitis

>

>

> > I'm glad there is a support group like this. I was just diagnosed

> > with RA a few weeks ago. I'm a male in my 30's. I just feel

that my

> > future has suddenly changed.

> >

> > I have pain in about 10 different joints. I have pain on the

side,

> > top, and bottom of my foot when walking sometimes and have plantar

> > fasciitis. Can this be caused by RA?

> >

> > Also, I was placed on Plaquenil. I've read reports that it may

not

> > stop joint damage. What is the currently recommended medication

for

> > early stages of RA? Should I be trying something else?

> >

> > Mike

[Guest guest]

Welcome Mike. Sorry for the reasons you're here, but glad you found us.

None of us know what the future brings. Many people find medication that

controls the RA and they can continue a fairly normal life. Others aren't

so lucky and have to try many different meds. There have been people that

Plaquenil has helped for many years before becoming ineffective. There are

yet new drugs on the horizon that may help us all. Try to keep a positive

attitude. I know it not fun not knowing what the future brings.

a

[Guest guest]

You're welcome, Mark.

Unfortunately, RA is associated with a great many foot problems.

From Dynomed.com, " Rheumatoid Foot and Ankle " :

http://www.dynomed.com/encyclopedia/encyclopedia/foot_and_ankle/Rheumatoid_foot_\

and_ankle.html

" Rheumatoid Foot " from Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics:

http://wheeless.orthoweb.be/o2/188.htm

[ ] Re: RA Plaquenil, plantar fasciitis

> ,

> Thanks, that puts my mind more at ease for taking Plaquenil. I have

> a negative RF, sed rate in high 50's, no erosions. Is it common to

> have pain on the side and top of your feet when you walk in RA?

>

> Mark