Re: ankles and feet

[Guest guest]

Just thought I'd weigh in on this discussion too. I have had PA for 12

years now. Maybe 13. The feet and swelling in the ankles are very typical,

according to my rheumy. I started out with asymetrical, but now I also have

the spondylitis stuff, along with a few other auto-immune complications such

as crohn's and skin ulcers (Not PS-they say it is different). I am on

Enbrel and Mtx. But I still go to my rheumy when my feet/ankles are real bad

and he uses a needle to drain some of the fluid, then injects aristocort.

It really does help-in 24 hours I can see the swelling go away and my feet

don't hurt nearly as much. He also advises good shoes-especially with

thicker soles. I have found Dr. Martens to be beneficial for me-I know

everyone is different. I have always had very wide, flat feet for a woman.

Most of the time I can't wear women's shoes unless they are a wide width,

and even then the fit isn't good. But Docs women's shoes are wide

naturally, and the full leather shoe fits itself to my feet after being worn

for awhile, which I think any good leather shoe would do. Fortunately, Docs

are popular right now, so even though they look kind of heavy and clunky, I

don't feel like too much of an old lady wearing them-even though I am 50.

Question for the group-Has anyone experienced severe tendinitis in the elbow

region? I had this happen several years ago in the left arm, took months of

treatment to get over it. Now I am having it in the right arm. It is

similar to tennis or golf elbow-the tendon right at the elbow gets very

swollen and painful, in my case I can feel it tighten up into a lump when it

is really sore. Even wakes me up sometimes at night. Would appreciate any

helpful suggestions.

Wishing everyone a pain free and easy moving day, D from Michigan

[Guest guest]

Hi ....

Yes, I have been experiencing tendonitis in and around my elbows for the

past few months. I was put on MTX about 2 months ago and I'm now up to

20mg/week. I have noticed some lessening of the pain in my elbows in

just the past few days. I'm also taking time to gently exercise my

elbows a number of times a day - I find that this helps a great deal. I

exercise by slowly bringing my hands up towards my shoulders and then

back down again till my arms are straight - I do this numerous

repetitions and even though it hurts a bit I just stick with it.

I agree with what you said about shoes for foot and ankle pain. I also

have flat feet - and because I have such a long foot it's always been

hard to find proper shoes. A friend suggested that I try some model of

New Balance shoes. I researched one of their web sites and found a shoe

very much designed for those who have severe " over-pronation " , meaning

have flat feet. The particular model is 925. I was really happy that

they come in large sizes. I ordered a pair about 3 weeks ago and it has

made a world of difference to me. You also mentioned that you have wide

feet - NB ordered from their web site lists various models in up to a EE

width.

I'm very happy with the pair I ordered - I can feel the orthotics the

minute I put them on and they're also meant to provide cushioning to the

heel and forefoot.

Joan Lloyd