Swelling

[Guest guest]

I also have the numbness.I had an EMG done last year and it showed I have

carpal tunnel syndrome which I understand to be very common with rheumatic

diseases.I wear braces at night that can be purchased at a medical supply

store for about $20 each.It's a very sexy look I might add....heheheheh !!!!

Joanie

[Guest guest]

Ouch, . I have had the numbness in those fingers, too. Sounds like you

have much more swelling than I did at that time, though.

What's happening is that your ulnar nerve is being compressed as it runs

through the cubital tunnel on the inside of your elbow. The swelling is the

real problem, but you can lessen the problem somewhat by being careful not

to bend the elbow more than necessary while it is like this--for instance,

any task which you normally do with your arms bent will put less pressure on

the nerve if you can straighten the arm more. One example is holding the

phone to your ear. I use a headset phone all the time so I will not have to

keep my arm bent while I talk. Whatever you do, don't rest your weight on

that elbow or the forearm just below it.

I would talk to my doctor if this doesn't come under control soon. If the

nerve compression goes on too long, it can take a long time to heal. He

might want to try you on a different antiflammatory, or consider a cortisone

injection. I think I would try an ice pack on the elbow in the meantime.

You'll probably have to use it several times a day. Good luck. (I have more

information on nerve compressions if you need it.)

Jean

----------

>From: " Kellis & O'Connor " <docsol@...>

>APsupport <rheumaticonelist>

>Subject: rheumatic swelling

>Date: Sat, Jan 8, 2000, 1:34 PM

>

> From: " Kellis & O'Connor " <docsol@...>

>

> Hi,

> Several of you have written about swelling around joints the size of

> various balls. I've never had that.

> Today, I woke up and noticed numbness in my little and ring finger

> of my left hand. Then, I saw my left elbow, very swollen on the inner

> side. For the last month or so, my bones have hurt. Most noticeable in

> my fingers.

> What do you find helpful for the swelling? I take four aspirin,

> pred. 3 mg. and one ra spes for pain each day. Plus, a sh*tload of

> vits. and supplements. The only thing I've done different in the last

> few days is to take 150 mg of doxy.

> In June, I began very slowly with doxy 50 mg. again slowly

> increasing, in Oct., to 100mg/day, taking the doxy 4-5 days per week.

> Wed., I took 150 mg., 0 Thurs., and 100 mg., yesterday. Today, I have

> the swelling that I've never had before in 17 years. And, I hurt more.

> Am I herxing? Just getting worse? What do you think?

> I didn't have this with the mino., just got better but as some of

> you know I had to stop because of side effects. I was taking 200 mg. of

> mino. Because of this, I have gone very slowly with the doxy and this

> is the first time I take 150 mg. of doxy.

> TIA

>

> NC

>

>

>

> ---------------------------

[Guest guest]

I had a lot of troublewith elbows and numb fingers for a time before I

got arthritis bad enough to even have the OA diagnosis. Sounds just like

what I had. I didnt see any swelling but it felt like a pinched nerve.

It did go away eventually.

[Guest guest]

,

I used to wake up with numb hands all the time. My RD had splints made for

me and they really work. You wear them at night. I haven't had the

problem since last spring. I don't know whether it is the AP or not but it

is gone. I hope yours does too.

Bev

>

> Ouch, . I have had the numbness in those fingers, too. Sounds like

you

> have much more swelling than I did at that time, though.

>

[Guest guest]

Yeah, I had both carpal tunnel and cubital syndromes in both arms, had the

nerve conduction studies to confirm it. I tried the wrist splints, but ended

up with my elbows hurting even more because I kept getting my hands caught

up in the blankets. My PT told me the most important thing was to not clench

my fists or bend my elbows at night.

You wouldn't think it would work to tell yourself not to do these things,

but for me it actually did. It helps to relax your arms as much as possible

before trying to go to sleep. A warm bath at bedtime helped me a lot when I

was having a lot of trouble, but I didn't have a lot of swelling at the

time. I used the ice packs when it first seemed to flare, if there was more

swelling, or if I had been working too much.

Jean

----------

>From: Nad4735@...

>briarwood@..., rheumaticonelist, elbows@...

>Subject: Re: rheumatic swelling

>Date: Sat, Jan 8, 2000, 9:10 PM

>

> I also have the numbness.I had an EMG done last year and it showed I have

> carpal tunnel syndrome which I understand to be very common with rheumatic

> diseases.I wear braces at night that can be purchased at a medical supply

> store for about $20 each.It's a very sexy look I might add....heheheheh !!!!

>

> Joanie

>

[Guest guest]

,

I had swelling for quite awhile when I first started the AP,

particularly in my knees and hands. I just continued on the AP,

together with an nsaid and used ice on the swelling on a regular basis.

You may think I'm nuts, but I also used magnets and found they helped a

great deal. I, too, was worried about joint erosion with all my

swelling but for some reason, I don't seem to have much damage at all.

I find this rather surprising because I still have significant pain but

the joints just don't show much damage. Even a neurologist I saw last

week commented his surprise that my joints have so little erosion. In

any event, as I continued the AP, my swelling improved to such a degree

that a second rheum I saw said she wasn't even sure I actually had RA

because of the lack of swelling. At that point, the only thing I was

taking was mino as I'd taken a vacation from my nsaid due to some

stomach problems. I don't know if anyone else has had this experience

but I have to feel that taking the mino has protected my joints at least

to some degree. I'm currently being checked for cervical stenosis (a

narrowing of the spine in the neck around the spinal cord), which the

neurologist felt I probably had due to neurological impairments I

demonstrate in my hands and feet. If this is the case, it could account

for the amount of pain I experience and why I haven't experienced much

improvement with pain or fatigue while on the AP. Perhaps if I am

treated for the cervical stenosis, that, too, will improve but in the

meantime, I find it comforting to know that my joints don't seem to be

eroding away and I have to credit the mino for that.

Hugs,

a Peden

wrote:

> It seems like most posts regarding symptoms are about pain and

> stiffness. But what about swelling?...

[Guest guest]

Dear a,

Let us know how you do at the doctor. That certainly could explain your pain.

I, too, believe the mino protects us. We are all so lucky to have found it

and each other.

Warm regards,

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

One of my first symptoms was swelling, especially of the hands and feet and

worse in the morning and evening. Even with the AP and taking Vioxx I still

have it alot. I'm treating the pain with Ultram to try to stay away from the

other drugs like prednisone, but even now I'm not sure thats the best thing to

do. Some here take methotrexate and one article I read said you should consider

the conventional drugs to keep from having joint damage while you're getting

better. I started with the mindset that I wasn't going to take the 'harder'

drugs under any circumstances but now I'm not so sure I've not been naive about

how much control I have. I think my joints have changed since this started a

year ago, but other than being committed to the AP i'm not sure where to go

from here either. My local gp is helping me with this and knows how I feel

about it and thinks I should see a regular rheum that's agreeable to the AP to

help me decide, so I'm looking for one. I don't want to find out in 5 years

I've done serious damge I didn't have to by being stubborn! T.

wrote:

> Hi all,

>

> It seems like most posts regarding symptoms are about pain and

> stiffness. But what about swelling? I started on AP a couple of months

> ago (minocin 200mg MWF) and take 7.5 mg prednisone and 400 mg Celebrex

> for the pain. My swelling is less than it was before I started any meds,

> but I still have some. Especially my right knee and my index, middle and

> ring fingers on the right hand, it seems to have gotten a bit worse

> lately.

>

> I keep hearing about how the inflammation causes the joint damage and

> its scares me. Is it OK to have swelling while waiting for the AP to

> work? How long can a joint be inflammed before joint damage occurs? I do

> not want to increase the prednisone. Pain isn't much of a problem for me

> as long as I keep on the prednisone (which I hate, but really need it to

> function - I was in agony before!). My doctor is worthless on this

> subject - I asked her about increased swelling and she sold me yet

> another supplement (glucosamine chondroitin).

>

> Thanks,

>

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Would you like to save big on your phone bill -- and keep on saving

> more each month? Join beMANY! Our huge buying group gives you Long Distance

> rates which fall monthly, plus an extra $60 in FREE calls!

> 1/2567/0/_/532797/_/957632074/

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

> To unsubscribe, email: rheumatic-unsubscribeegroups

[Guest guest]

Swelling was my main symptom and is still there, hands, feet, ankles,

wrists, knees. Celebrex keeps it under control and I'm trusting there

will not be the side effects that there are with the other

anti-inflammatory drugs.

Gail

>Hi ,

> One of my first symptoms was swelling, especially of the hands and

>feet and

>worse in the morning and evening. Even with the AP and taking Vioxx I still

>have it alot. I'm treating the pain with Ultram to try to stay away from the

>other drugs like prednisone, but even now I'm not sure thats the best

>thing to

>do. Some here take methotrexate and one article I read said you should

>consider

>the conventional drugs to keep from having joint damage while you're getting

>better. I started with the mindset that I wasn't going to take the 'harder'

>drugs under any circumstances but now I'm not so sure I've not been naive

>about

>how much control I have. I think my joints have changed since this started a

>year ago, but other than being committed to the AP i'm not sure where to go

>from here either. My local gp is helping me with this and knows how I feel

>about it and thinks I should see a regular rheum that's agreeable to the

>AP to

>help me decide, so I'm looking for one. I don't want to find out in 5 years

>I've done serious damge I didn't have to by being stubborn! T.

>

> wrote:

>

>> Hi all,

>>

>> It seems like most posts regarding symptoms are about pain and

>> stiffness. But what about swelling? I started on AP a couple of months

>> ago (minocin 200mg MWF) and take 7.5 mg prednisone and 400 mg Celebrex

>> for the pain. My swelling is less than it was before I started any meds,

>> but I still have some. Especially my right knee and my index, middle and

>> ring fingers on the right hand, it seems to have gotten a bit worse

>> lately.

>>

>> I keep hearing about how the inflammation causes the joint damage and

>> its scares me. Is it OK to have swelling while waiting for the AP to

>> work? How long can a joint be inflammed before joint damage occurs? I do

>> not want to increase the prednisone. Pain isn't much of a problem for me

>> as long as I keep on the prednisone (which I hate, but really need it to

>> function - I was in agony before!). My doctor is worthless on this

>> subject - I asked her about increased swelling and she sold me yet

>> another supplement (glucosamine chondroitin).

>>

>> Thanks,

>>

>>

>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

>> Would you like to save big on your phone bill -- and keep on saving

>> more each month? Join beMANY! Our huge buying group gives you Long Distance

>> rates which fall monthly, plus an extra $60 in FREE calls!

>> 1/2567/0/_/532797/_/957632074/

>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

>>

>> To unsubscribe, email: rheumatic-unsubscribeegroups

>

>

>

>

>------------------------------------------------------------------------

>You have a voice mail message waiting for you at iHello.com:

>1/3555/0/_/532797/_/957672672/

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>

>

[Guest guest]

,

I'll definitely keep you all informed. I was sort of holding off until

all the info was in but thought it was relevant to mention in my last

post. I probably also should have mentioned something when everyone was

writing about doing neck exercises for sore necks. While I'm a firm

believer in doing exercises, I think it's important to be very careful

what you do with the neck area and to have good, educated advice about

what is safe. If you do have any of these complicating neck conditions,

you can do yourself great harm by doing dangerous exercises or having an

already unstable area manipulated. When I had my last bad (and I mean

bad!!) flare, it hurt to just breath and I was having trouble

swallowing. The temptation was to have the neck cranked around to just

get some relief but if I had done that and it was cranked in the wrong

way, I could have had even more pressure put on my spinal cord and who

knows how bad the complications and damage from that could be. Pretty

scary to think about so I'm glad I erred on the side of caution, got

through the flare and started having the problem checked out more

carefully.

Another thing for everyone to consider is just how thorough their doctor

is. I finally dumped the two quacks who had been treating me (terribly,

I might add) for the last two years, one being my gp for 15 years and

the other being the rheum he referred me to. I was sick of the way they

dismissed my problems and treated me like everything must be all in my

head when I refused to simply be drugged out of my pain. Their negative

attitude towards me has also caused me big problems with my disability

insurance as they didn't want to be bothered with the forms, then when

the rheum finally agreed to complete them, he filled them out with tons

of mistakes, so now I've had to hire a lawyer to get that mess cleaned

up. In the meantime, my mom got her gp to take me on and the difference

in my treatment with him was immediately improved. He treated me like I

was an intelligent, reasonable person with every right to decide not to

take dangerous drugs. He also didn't dismiss my complaints but instead,

decided they needed better investigation, hence requesting x-rays that

initially led to the suspicion of my additional neck problem. He got me

in extremely quickly to a neurologist, an amazing feat considering the

wait lists where I live but this new gp is insistant that his patients

get what they need. Now I finally feel I'm on the right track in terms

of having good doctors but I'm still suffering, both physically and

financially, because of the lousy care from my old doctors. The moral

of this story: If you feel you are getting lousy medical care, run,

don't walk, as fast as you can away from your doctor and don't stop

until you find someone good to treat you. The consequences of bad

treatment are pretty scary.

Hugs,

a Peden

SEG14@... wrote:

> Let us know how you do at the doctor. That certainly could explain your

pain...

[Guest guest]

a,

Sorry the docs have given you such a hard time. But there are some good ones

out there, and we have to be proactive, as you were, and find them. It's bad

enough being ill, without someone treating you poorly.

I'm glad you switched, and I hope you're feeling better soon.

[Guest guest]

,

Thanks, it's bad enough battling these illnesses without having to

battle the doctors as well, isn't it? I think sometimes we're all so

busy dealing with just trying to keep going that we don't always

recognize when a doctor is just paying lip service to us. That

certainly was the case for me and the wake-up call was when I took my

sister to an appointment and she was appalled at how I was treated. I'm

sure glad my sister brought me to my senses and thought maybe my

comments might help to do the same for a few people in the group. I

know I feel so much better, at least emotionally, knowing that I now

have good, supportive doctors that I can trust. I don't expect

miracles, I'm not expecting them to cure me, I just expect to be

believed when I report a symptom and now I am. I can't begin to

describe the difference that makes for me.

Hugs,

a Peden

SEG14@... wrote:

>

> a,

> Sorry the docs have given you such a hard time. But there are some good ones

> out there, and we have to be proactive, as you were, and find them...

[Guest guest]

Hi all! I am in the middle of a really bad fibro flare. But this time my hands

are swollen and they hurt really bad. I am going to call my Dr. Tomorrow and

find out if he should look at them. I can't even bend my fingers. I'm a little

worried that my fibro has progressed into RA.Well thanks for listening to me

whine.

Chris

[Guest guest]

Hey

Whining is A-OK!! I've got plenty of cheese and glasses hope you are

smiling. It's a good idea to call your Dr. In the meantime perhaps you should

just rest your hands and maybe alternate some heat and ice, to help with the

swelling and pain, whatever is easier for you to tolerate, I think everyone

is a bit different in that department. I've started PT for my Rt. shoulder

and after ultrasound, she came at me with direct ice without a towel, I saw

stars. She won't be doing that again. She stated that I have so much

inflammation in that joint that it would help, I told her that this RA body did

not

like direct ice like that!!! We've worked together before, so it was OK for

her to try it. Anyway, I hope your Dr. can provide you some quick relief.

Let us know.

Heidi in Mass.

_

In a message dated 3/16/2009 2:35:06 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

hammy412000@... writes:

Hi all! I am in the middle of a really bad fibro flare. But this time my

hands are swollen and they hurt really bad. I am going to call my Dr. Tomorrow

and find out if he should look at them. I can't even bend my fingers. I'm a

little worried that my fibro has progressed into RA.Well thanks for listening

to me whine.

Chris

**************Feeling the pinch at the grocery store? Make meals for Under

$10. (http://food.aol.com/frugal-feasts?ncid=emlcntusfood00000002)

[Guest guest]

Hi - we don't call it " whining " here, its venting - so vent away! That's

what we're all here for. I have both RA and Fibro. Its not uncommon to have both

- although I pray this is not the case for you. Sometimes I can't tell when one

begins and the other ends. I also have swelling in my hands and feet. Keep us

posted with what your doctor says. We care and we welcome anything you care to

share.....Doreen

Hi all! I am in the middle of a really bad fibro flare. But this time my hands

are swollen and they hurt really bad. I am going to call my Dr. Tomorrow and

find out if he should look at them. I can't even bend my fingers. I'm a little

worried that my fibro has progressed into RA.Well thanks for listening to me

whine.

Chris

[Guest guest]

Have you checked your kidneys?  Swelling could be from water retention which

could be the cause of your hypertension.  Or it could be from inflammation. 

You need to have some testing done to determine that.  Or it also could also be

from medication like prednisone or cortisol. That is a common side effect. 

 You need to have a doctor analyze the findings from lab work.  Good luck! 

Dolores

From: Amy and Jay Willis <tknbychance26@...>

Subject: rheumatic Swelling

dermatomyositissupport , OurMyositis ,

, rheumatic , lupies

Date: Saturday, May 29, 2010, 3:04 PM

 

So what is with the swelling? What causes it? What can I do about it? It's my

face, hands and feet. I already don't do a lot of salt because of high blood

pressure is there anything else that will help?

Amy

Newly diagnosed with dermatomyositis and SLE

Mommy to Tyler (16), Kaylee(13), Spencer (12), and Chance (6, pACC, ONH, PHP,

BPNH, PMG, Posterior fossa arachnoid cyst shunted 06/07, Hemiplegia, diplegia,

hypotonia, autistic tendencies and the biggest blue eyes this side of the Mason

Dixon!!!)

www.freewebs.com/tknbychance

[Guest guest]

Amy,

I have read your posts of 5/18 and 5/29, both of which deal with

swelling, rashes, and arthritic symptoms, and more.

I can relate to your case, because I have many of the same symptoms,

which started suddenly suddenly for me around February 10, 2010, on

top of an arthritic history which goes back 10 years. These have been

very frustrating, because most doctors don't have a clue. Dr. Franco

in Riverside just did comprehensive blood tests on me an found and

IgG of 7.0 (an immunoglobulinsseven times beyond the top of the

range) for Parvovirus AB B19.

You (and I) may be suffering from an acute " Parvovirus B19 infection "

, so do a Google search on that term. To get started, please click on

the link below, then follow the links on the last page:

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/961063-overview

A parvovirus B19 infection can be associated with the following symptoms:

* Symmetric arthritis affecting the hands and feet. These symptoms

are similar to rheumatoid arthritis (RA); however, the parvovirus

infections does not create joint damage.

* Muscle weakness and fatigue.

* Purpuric rash (small red or purple spots in the skin) and pruritis

(itching) distributred in a " gloves-and socks " syndrome (PPGSS)

pattern on in the face (slap cheeks syndrome).

* Swelling of the hands and feet (edema).

* Anemia

* and more...

Parvovirus B19 infection affects children, where it is known as

" Fifth Disease " and normally heals in a couple of weeks. For people

my age (68), it's more difficult. The virus is dangerous for pregnant women.

Parvovirus B19 infection may be another manifestation of reactive

arthritis, which can also be caused by cytomegalovirus,

streptococcus, mycoplasma, Klebsiella, and Borrelia burgdorferi. For

treatment, please see the Treatment section of

http://autoimmunedisease.suite101.com/article.cfm/human_parvovirus_b19_infection

I can email you more links.

I recommend that you have your blood tested for Parvovirus AB B19.

Please call me at 949-786-1403 (Southern CA, 3 hours behind

ville, FL). I would love to hear about your diagnosis, and

most importantly, about the recommended treatments.

Sincerely, Harald

At 12:04 PM 5/29/2010, Amy wrote:

So what is with the swelling? What causes it? What can I do about it?

It's my face, hands and feet. I already don't do a lot of salt

because of high blood pressure is there anything else that will help?

Amy

Amy newly diagnosed with dermatomyositis and SLE.

Mommy to Tyler (16), Kaylee(13), Spencer (12), and Chance (6, pACC,

ONH, PHP, BPNH, PMG, Posterior fossa arachnoid cyst shunted 06/07,

Hemiplegia, diplegia, hypotonia, autistic tendencies and the biggest

blue eyes this side of the Mason Dixon!!!)

At 06:27 PM 5/18/2010, Amy wrote:

Recently I have been told that my test results indicate that I have

dermatomyositis and systemic lupus overlapping. Last April this all

started with a quarter sized, rough, itchy, red, burning patch of

skin on my chest near my collar bone. It began to spread, some areas

got better, and it seemed to have went away at one point. In

September of last year I woke up one morning and could barely get up

off of the couch. I was achy all over, had overall muscle weakness in

my thighs and upper arms. I couldn't hold my arms over my head long

enough to brush my hair. The flu was going around at that time so I

assumed that's what it was. After a month and nothing was getting

better I went to see my general practitioner. He ran a bunch of blood

tests and since everything came back " normal " he diagnosed me with

Fibromyalgia. I went on Savella for 12 days and had what I thought

was an allergic reaction to the medicine (redness, rash, and swelling

on my face). I

discontinued it and started Cymbalta. At the same time my doctor gave

me a steroid shot for the " allergic reaction " and the muscle weakness

and pain eased up. I went off of the Savella in January, was off of

it for more than a month and the rash, redness, and swelling came

back on my face. The muscle weakness was nearly intolerable, I was

having leg and foot cramps every night, feeling nauseous in the

morning, severely tired all day everyday, joint pain, " static "

feeling all over my body, can't remember things, and I couldn't take

anymore so I went back to my doctor and asked him to run some more

tests for B12 deficiency, low estrogen, Lyme disease and anything

else he could think of that could be causing this. He also referred

me to a dermatologist for the stuff on my face. My B12 level came

back low and I have now had 2 shots and going for my 3rd tomorrow.

Two weeks ago I saw the dermatologist and upon looking at the rash,

the violet red spots on my

knuckles, asking me about not being able to get up from the couch and

not being able to hold my hands above my head she ran some tests. ANA

panel, muscle enzyme tests, liver enzymes and who knows what else.

She called last Thursday to tell me what they indicated and that she

would be referring me to a rheumatologist. I have an appointment at

Western Kentucky Rheumatology next Wednesday. I am now on a 21 day

course of prednisone in the meantime.

I am a very " natural " person, I would rather treat illnesses with

essential oils, supplements, diet etc. than take chemicals. I am one

who wants to find the root of the problem and " fix " it rather than

mask it by covering up the symptoms. I am 35 years old, I have 6

children ages 20 to 6 with my youngest son having several rare

medical problems of his own ( www.freewebs.com/tknbychance ).......I

am having a very hard time coming to terms with all of this. Any

help, advice, information is greatly appreciated!! I am on Facebook

my email is <mailto:tknbychance%40gmail.com>tknbychance@... if

anyone has an account send me a friend request!

Thanks in advance!!

Amy