Bone Scan Results

[Guest guest]

At least I am getting someone to look for the cause of my problems >>> And hopefully Margaret they'll find what the problem is in addition to a simple solution to fix it. Keepin you in my thoughts & prayers~ walk well~

[Guest guest]

hi margaret, glad definite diagnosis hope you receive good treatment and recover well cheers regards juneMargaret <zztinau@...> wrote: Had the bone scan today.Conclusions:"Mild uptake in the superior lateral margin of the left acetabulumconsistent with a bone reaction. There is no definite evidence of infection or loosening. Arthritis in right hip, both knees, dorsum of both feet and lumbar spine."Well I knew about the arthritis, will return to the surgeon monday week for talk about results and the next step.At least I am getting someone to look for the cause of my problems.Aussie MargaretRTHR 1990 revised 2004Send instant messages to your online friends http://au.messenger.

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,

I had my second Rhuemy visit this week and got the results of my bone

scan. Was a bit of a shock I must say. I certainly didn't expect to

have so much degeneration already. I only started my first major

flare in October. Prior to this I often had aches and pains but

usually localised to one area and always put it down to ageing, not

exercising enough, bad sleeping position etc etc. I am hoping that

my degeneration must have started long ago as surely you can't get

that damaged in a few months can you?

Both shoulders, both elbows, both wrists, most of my finger joints,

both hips, both knees, both ankles and several toes. Also my lower

back and a couple of discs. Far out, this was a shock!! I have never

had pain in my hips so that really surprised me. I am glad that it

showed the inflammation absolutely everywhere in black & white

though, so I know it is not in my head and have some proof to show if

i ever need it. Now I know why I am in so much pain anyway. I was

in too much shock to ask the Rhuemy most of the questions that I

wanted to ask, so will have to wait until the next one in four

months. I wanted to know which of the 5 forms I have but I am

presuming that I have got the sudden onset everywhere one, great!

I have been off MTX for 2 weeks now and am so upset that my psoriasis

has come back with a vengence. It was really clearing up and I kept

showing everyone my beautiful hands (to me they were anyway - LOL)

Now they are worse than ever, horrible acne on the top and water

blisters and ugly yellow blisters covering my palms and fingers. Back

to hiding my hands and wearing gloves. In the short 4 weeks that I

was taking a small dose of MTX it had also managed to reduce my

inflammation levels to a normal range which impressed the Rhuemy.

Unfortunately I did have an allergic reaction to it and the Rhuemy

will not let me take it anymore. I was that desperate I said that I

didn't care and would just put up with it, but she said no way and

rattled off something about my lungs and severe damage. Oh well,

thems the breaks. (Thanks from ma for enlightening me here or

I could have ended up in hospital)

She has started me on Sulfasalzine and I am into my third night with

it. I have had a horrible headache since I woke up the first morning

with it. I don't get normal headaches much and this one is a bit

different to normal, my head feels so full and heavy and my teeth are

aching. I haven't had any other side affects yet (no nausea - yey!)

and hope this will go away over time, just a yucky taste in my mouth

and my coke zero & chocolate treats just ain't the same. (thats

probably a good thing) It is making it hard to work though etc, and

I have been taking heaps of pain meds to get through the day which I

suppose isn't good but I am hoping it is all just temporary. I had to

take 3 panadeine fortes today to get moving at work - had to it was

pay day - important stuff money. Is 3 too many? I didn't get any

effect from them other than dulling the pains. And no actually the

other side effect I am having is extreme pain in one of my arms,

mainly the elbow, but all the muscles too. I am presuming this is

because the drug is doing its thing and attacking my inflammation, so

it makes me feel like it is doing some good. I was nervous about

taking this one as both my mum and sister are allergic to sulpha.

But so far so good and I sincerely hope I get some relief and it can

slow down this damage that is going on.

I remembered to ask about Enbrel etc, but as I thought there are alot

of requirements here in Oz to be able to go on it. Sounds like I

might be lucky enough to get on in by the time i am doubled over and

in a wheel chair. Just really have to learn to be patient but it is

scary how quickly things can happen. It wasn't that long ago that I

was normal. I wanted a referral to a pain clinic, but will ask my GP

when I see her next about this. I can't believe the new normal for

me and sometimes don't think that this is really happening to me.

One funny thing the bone scan showed up is that I broke a rib a few

years ago when I lifted my daughter onto my shoulders at a concert.

I thought it was broken and so did my Dr but the x-rays at the time

showed nothing! I have also had a couple of breaks in my little

fingers that I don't remember. The Rhuemy said that a rib shouldn't

break so easily and told me that I should have a bone density test

for osteoporosis, but she didn't organise it, so will have to ask my

normal GP for that too. I already have a long list for her and I

will feel bad as I am starting to feel like a hypocondriac. I am

only 37, isn't that too young for osteo?? Her copy of the bone scan

results also stated something about osteoarthritis and wear and

tear. I said to the Rhuemy no way I am too young for that. she said

that the person writing the report doesn't see the person so they

don't know. This has confused me a bit, is she saying I also have

osteoarthritis or not? Will have to ask next time I see her. I am

to have blood tests every 2 weeks. This seems quite frequent

compared to others on here. I wish I wasn't such a sook with

needles. I get very faint and dizzy but it passes. will be an old

hat at it soon I suppose.

I wish I could say things in fewer words....but that's me.

Take care everyone

Hugs

Janice

[Guest guest]

Janice - so sorry to hear about the bummer report! I'm surprised you

have to wait so long between rheumy appointments, also. I went every 4

weeks (not months!) the first 6 months and now am at every 6 weeks. Is

it because of a shortage of rheumatologists there, or what?

I hope the meds will work for you. Be sure to report any side effects

right away, since there is a family history of sulfa allergy. My

daughter and I are both allergic to sulfa also. For both of us, it

showed up as hives.

I wish you better times very soon,

sherry z

>

> Hi Everyone,

>

> I had my second Rhuemy visit this week and got the results of my bone

> scan. Was a bit of a shock I must say.

[Guest guest]

Hi Sherry, Yeah it is probably more to do with lack of rhuemys. We

only have 1!! I don't live in a big city - only about 120,000, but I

am sure that keeps her very busy. She charges the earth too with no

competition. Cost me $250AUD to visit for 15 minutes. At least we

get about half back with our Medicare system, but the cost of this

disease really bites with all the meds. (I still haven't got my kids

their Xmas presents!) We are also very isolated from other places in

Australia so just have to put up with it. It would take at least a

couple of days driving to get to another city, which just isn't an

option. I can't even get to see a dermie as we only have one

visiting town every 6 months and the wait list is like 2 years!! I

do really wish I could see her more often as 4 months does seem a

long time when you are needing help. So I am so thankful for you

guys on here to keep me going.

I will have to look up hives as I don't really know what they are.

Mum reckons she got huge welts and my sister just felt too nauseous.

I am getting a little rash on my chest, but it doesn't seem to be

anything to worry about yet.

I am happy to say my headache today has been mild - to our standards

anyway. lol. So fingers crossed when I increase my dose next week

things are still going ok.

My sis just got diagnosed with RA and she is starting MTX when her

infection clears. Even she is having to wait 3 months for her next

appointment. We both feel a bit unhappy about this as we both have a

fair bit of damage and would like a bit more of an aggressive

approach which I don't think we will get here. I am doubting we will

ever get onto the biologics, which to me is sad and frustrating.

Even the Rhuemy was saying to me if this one doesn't work, I can

still try Gold, Penicillamine etc. (I am allergic to penicillin, but

i don't think it is the same) & I thought Gold has too many side

effects & they didn't prescribe it anymore(will have to read up on

it) So sounds like I will be trialing what works for years....This

does really worry me with my rapid onset and damage already, but then

I suppose some guys on here were only on these drugs for years as the

biologics are only recent in the last couple of years. So I am

praying that things slow down for me as I am a bit frightened of it

all still and what the future holds for me. She wouldn't consider

prednisone or a steroid injection which is what I think I need right

now for my arms. Maybe when I go back in 4 months and they don't move

at all she may reconsider.lol.

By the way - thanks for doing all that wonderful research for us all

with your very informative post the other day.

Take Care

Janice

Welcome back to - someones been slack..lol..or maybe lucky

enough to be away for holidays.

>

> Janice - so sorry to hear about the bummer report! I'm surprised

you

> have to wait so long between rheumy appointments, also. I went > I>

[Guest guest]

Janice - yes, we call those welts " hives " here stateside. Mine started

with a rash on my chest that rapdily spread upwards over my neck and

face. It was really more rash-like than welt-like but the doctors

still considered it a bad reaction and listed me as allergic to

sulfanomides.

best wishes,

sherry z

>

>> I will have to look up hives as I don't really know what they are.

> Mum reckons she got huge welts and my sister just felt too nauseous.

[Guest guest]

" Her copy of the bone scan results also stated something about

osteoarthritis and wear and tear. I said to the Rhuemy no way I am too

young for that. she said that the person writing the report doesn't

see the person so they don't know. This has confused me a bit, is she

saying I also have osteoarthritis or not? "

It is possible to have both osteoarthritis and PA together. My current

rheumatologist thought caused me to have the hip replacement last year,

osteoarthritis as opposed to PA. However, the orthopedic surgeon did

more imaging studies before the surgery, and then sent the diseased

bone removed during the surgery off for studies, and according to him,

it was NOT osteoarthritis which caused my hip degeneration,

but " erosive " arthritis due to PA. Apparently, when PA attacks some

joints such as the hips, it can mimic osteoarthritis very

closely...Xrays can't always differentiate between the two. Oftentimes,

things like bone scans or MRI's or CT's will pinpoint the difference

better. Usually, if a person is YOUNG (under 50), a doctor will work

you up pretty closely before determining that arthritis is " only "

osteoarthritis. After age 50, almost everybody has some osteoarthritis

apparent on Xrays, because of wear and tear on the bones due to aging.

Before age 50, it seems to be more of a genetic thing, as in " if your

folks had osteo at an early age then you probably will too but it's

important to rule out other forms of arthritis as well, " according to

my surgeon.

Take care

Wanda