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joint damge

Posted , 5 users are following.

dancingG
dancingG

I  started having some mild pain in my finger a few years aog. My  blood work showed a slightly elevated crp,normal sed rate, rheumatoid factor around 23. I was started on plaquinil, but started seeing joint damage in my finger so I was started on methotrexate about 2 yeras ago. My blood

blood work is all normal, I have no pain except slight stifness in my fingers in the mornings, but I see that my nuckles on 2 of my fingers on both hands are gettiing real big. Is that joint damage? X ray was done, the report said " no  significat changes from 2 years ago" I am going to make an appointment with my doctor to dicuss about trying new meds. Has anyone experienced the same thing? If so what meds are helping?

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • mborr
    mborr dancingG

    Posted

    Do you think it can be symptoms of OS instead?

    Also, which of your fingers joints the pain first started. Distal, close by to the nails or on the middle ones?

    • dancingG
      dancingG mborr

      Posted

      You said OS , did you mean OA?

      Pain started in the middle joints and those joints are also big, not swollen sort of bony big.

    • C2Anna
      C2Anna dancingG

      Posted

      I am questioning also if this is truly RA, and why methotrexate for such mild symptoms, without other usual RA symptoms in other usual joints? Your symptoms sound like OA to me.
    • mborr
      mborr dancingG

      Posted

      I am sorry.. I meant OA

      I am also have some pain at my - distal - finger joints and my RF was at 10... And the doctor said that with this low value and no major clinical evidence it looks more like OA

    • dancingG
      dancingG C2Anna

      Posted

      MTX was started when my middle joint in the middle finger sarteg getting big and looked deformed. But, the joint still got bigger. That's why I didn't know if I needed someother med. besieds MTX. I am going to talk with the doctor about OA.
    • dancingG
      dancingG mborr

      Posted

      Do ou have ulnar deviation or do you ge that with OA? both my hands seem to deviate towards the rihgt. My doctor has told me people with RA get that. I have some support gloves to help correct the deviation, but they are not that effectuve.

       

  • Rowbirdie
    Rowbirdie dancingG

    Posted

    Hi

    Ulnar deviation is definitely RA. But if you re not really in pain now it sounds as though you are in remission and what you are seeing on your knuckles is past damage

    Dmards , of which methotrexate is one, are used to hold back the destructiveness of this disease. I am taking 3 of them and a biologic and that is controlling the progression of the disease for me. I know some people feel strongly about avoiding these meds ( but the dose of methx for RA is about a tenth of the chemo dose for cancer) Also some people react badly and can't take them. But for me it has made the difference between a painful and restricted life and one where I am able to walk, dance, look after grandchildren and do much of what I d like to do. I am monitored so that any adverse effects can be picked up quickly and I haven't had infections as a result of immune system being suppressed. 

    i guess everyone has to weigh up the pros and cons of aggressive treatment for this disease in balance with the side effects. ...and maybe I ve been fortunate .My rheumy always prescribes the least med possible to hold back disease process . I think that s in their guidelines so I guess it will be the same for you.

    hope you get some answers to your questions when you have your next appointment.

     

    • dancingG
      dancingG Rowbirdie

      Posted

      thankyou Rawirdie and C2Anna

      I will do more research and talk to my rheumy. Since I never reallly had pain like others with RA, I started wondering if I really have RA. Still,I want to do whatever it takes to avoid serious joint damge. i will try to see antoher rheumy to get another opinion.

      Thank you for your comments.

    • dancingG
      dancingG C2Anna

      Posted

      Hi

      Initially, about 6 years ago, I started having mild pain in my right  index finger then my right middle finger. Tests showed slightly elevatd Rheumatoid factor (23). I took anit inflammatory meds for a little while. Pain in my index finger disappeared, but the one in the middle finger persisted. Also a blood test for  anti CCP antibody was positive. I was then switched to Plaqunil, but I stopped taking it on my own and decided to try dietary changes-- cut down on wheat and dairy products and started taking, curumin & ginger.

      About 2 years ago I sarted seeing slight deformity in my right middle finger and then my left. That's when I was started on MTX. Initially 7.5mg/week. I am now on 25mg injections.  So far my liver functions tests have been normal, I used to get tired in the beginning, a day after I take the MTX,but now I am fine.  No ohter adverse side effects. I have been lucky, I never had any major pains in any other joints. except  slihgt pain in my knees. I am worried about the side effects of MTX that's why I delayed using it. If  I can find a way of getting off the MTX, I will gladly do it, but the joing deformity worries me. What has worked for you? Are you on any meds at all? Any natural supplements that has worked for you?

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