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Life after PMR ... the saga continues ....

Posted , 7 users are following.

FLpanhndlKen
FLpanhndlKen

In a nutshell, I went through the whole diagnosis-DSNS routine between Oct 2014 and March 2017, when my PMR symptoms disappeared. In that time I had right hip and both knees (lost to osteoarthritis) replaced. About 6 mos before my PMr burnout, I had noticed a different kind of pain in my shoulders. My PCP diagnosed osteoarthritis, gave me an NSAID and some exercises to regain range of motion. Little relief. In April 2017,saw my orthopedist for follow up on knees, and asked him to X-ray shoulders. He did, and pronounced arthritis,necrosis, replacement. Went to a shoulder specialist, and ultimately have had both shoulders replaced in the last year. WHile all this was going on basal joint osteoarthritis appeared in both thumbs, and then other swelling in the wrists and hands consistent with rheumatoid arthritis. LORA! Late-onset RA, which I had heard about here from EileenH, and which I’ve since learned attacks different joints differently from usual RA, including the shoulders!  I’m waiting to see a rheumatologist about my hands, and since they’re nearly the only thing left for my many arthritises to attack (since I now have 6 artificial joints!), maybe the arthritis of every sort will just work its way out my fingertips! I’m almost 70, so here’s hoping! One last note: I have a DNA report I,m working through and came upon an SNP for “severe osteoarthritis in the hands.”  Swell! 

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • EileenH
    EileenH FLpanhndlKen

    Posted

    What unremitting fun - NOT. OTOH, eventually there will be nothing natural left to hurt!!!

    Does the rheumy think that possibly the PMR wasn't PMR but polymyalgic onset LORA? 

    Good to hear from you though.

    • FLpanhndlKen
      FLpanhndlKen EileenH

      Posted

      My own feeling is that the PMR was just that at the outset, from what I read of symptoms, but that after about two years the condition moved into LORA. Some of the things, like crepitus in my arms, just disappeared, and the shoulder became the focus. The RA in the wrists and hands came nearly a year later ...
  • lodgerUK_NE
    lodgerUK_NE FLpanhndlKen

    Posted

    Question, are they prescribing Methotextrate for LORA.  I understand it is the gold standard treatment for LORA from our specialist Rheumatologist Nurse.

    One thing that might help your joints (fingers) is Flexiseq,   The ARC website will tell you all about it, it is a bio-mechanical gel and it works like WD40.

    I use it on my knees and found my fingers improved..................

    • FLpanhndlKen
      FLpanhndlKen lodgerUK_NE

      Posted

      I am being treated with Methotrexate (and 5 mg preds daily) but I wouldn’t call my RA well-managed. Still considerable stiffness and pain. Remarkably (I think), my fingers are still totally unaffected, after a 50-yr plus career as a professional musician/keyboardist. The RA is limited to wrists and hands. Not a single swollen knuckle! Maybe the playing kept it at bay!?
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