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My husband was diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis after a knee arthroscopy and also pseudogout in f

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martine68973
martine68973

his foot is steadely getting worse from supposedly pseudogout. neither the rheumatoid arthritis nor the pseudogout have been proven conclusively after testing, just assumed. Now also problems with his left schoulder, bursitis and partial tear. He is right handed and in the right schoulder has the same thing with a full tear but no pain there. It does not make sense to me. Has anyone else got these 2 conditions at the same time and are they proven? Has anyone had help with natural or alternative treatments? Diet change? He is on anti inflammation drugs almost al the time, the doctor said not to take it too long as it is BAD for him but what choise is ther if you are in constant pain!

Any tips would be welcome.

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • timothy12884
    timothy12884 martine68973

    Posted

    I think if he has pseudogout, that diet wont help much. Maybe cut back on calcium. I had gout and that's different, so I cut out acidic foods and drinks. Turning my body chemistry more alkaline. Drinking lots of water always is a plus. But I thought I had gout in my wrist, so I went to a specialist ( surgeon actually ) or you could choose a rhumatoligist specializing in arthritis. Any how I recieved a steroid shot in my wrist and within 24 hours I had full range of motion in my wrist. I previously was unable to move my wrist at all for the previous 3 months. I have gotten rid of my gout pain by diet, cut out all soda, beer, high energy drinks, gator aid, fruit juices with high fructose corn syrup HFCS. I did drink lots of water 10-12 glasses/day. And eat way more fruits and vegetables. And consume way less meat, but I still eat meat. Go to a good doctor you'll be glad you did.
    • martine68973
      martine68973 timothy12884

      Posted

      Thank you for your reply Timothy.

      He has been to the doctor many times and also tried several reumatologists. Today he could not go to work because of the footpain, so to the doctor again who told him he has 3 conditions in his foot now. Osteoarthritis, pseudogout and rheumatoid arthritis. I find it very hard to believe. Anyway on Dec 5 he has another specialist appointment till then more nsaids to wreck his stomach and bowels!

      We eat really as healthy as possible, no sugar, lots of veg and fruit etc..

  • vanessa66630
    vanessa66630 martine68973

    Posted

    hi, my husband has pain and swelling in his left knee and foot, he is also in pain and cant wear his shoes as his foot is out of shape, has a job walking has been to knee and foot specialists and now rheumatologist has had it drained which helps for a while, many tests but nobody knows what is wrong, now going to other leg,
    • martine68973
      martine68973 vanessa66630

      Posted

      That sounds really horrible Vanessa, I feel for the both of you. It is really frustrating when you dont get any answers. I spend many days on Dr Google trying to find what could be done to help my husband.
  • Kersey
    Kersey martine68973

    Posted

    Pseudogout is a type of arthritis and you can get it in any joint.  I have had it for nearly 40 years.  Nothing really stops attacks but my orthopaedic consultant has given me injections in the knee (which was where I had it at the time) for pain relief and steroid.  It is a good idea to try to identify what triggers it - with me one trigger was over extension of the knee which triggered the crystals in the joint to move and cause pain.  I advise you to google the condition for general information.  I cannot take NSAID drugs by mouth so I use a gel from the doctor and rub it in when I get pain.  If you get inflammation (red, swollen, and painful) then either go to A & E, or ring and get an appointment with the orthopods, or get your GP to give an injection (mine wont do it). Over time you will learn the triggers and to cope with it.  I rarely get acute attacks these days.
    • martine68973
      martine68973 Kersey

      Posted

      Hi Kersey,

      the trigger for him seems his job. He is a plasterer, mainly ceilings and does a lot of up and down ladders, scaffolds and walking. Then late at night when ready to go to bed he has had for the last couple of days the worse pain ever preventing him from sleeping, trying to find a position in bed with no or less pain. Last night he fell asleep with his leg hanging out of the bed nearly reaching the ground but this morning he was still to sore to go to work.

      Believe me, I have googled a LOT trying to find answers and to find what is the cause of this. anti- inflammation gels and creams dont help at all and the NSAIDS cause indigestion and diarhoea. Hopefully he will get a better answer for pain relief when he sees the reumatologist on December 5! What is A&E? Is that something British? I am in Australia, could not find anything here in the way of forum on this topic.Oh, he also has already had several orthotics made too on advice of the reumatologist. Not sure if they make any difference but he wears them.

    • Kersey
      Kersey martine68973

      Posted

      A & E is accident and emergency dept here in the UK.  The other name for pseudogout is chondrocalcinosis.  I use something called Piroxicam gel.  The ladders would definitely do it for me.  At night I would use a bed frame to keep the bedclothes off the leg.  I would definitely ask about steroid injections into the joint when you see the consultant.  Also.  follow the regime called RICE.  Rest, ice pack, compression (support bandage), and gentle exercise when it is not in the acute stage to regain mobility.  The pain is excruciating I know.  It used to take me months to get good mobility back.  Over time you do find ways to cope with it but I am sad to say he might find he needs to stop the ladders.  Oh yes and carrying weights on the affected side also triggered mine.  I spent years carrying a heavy satchel of books and files in my job before I realised I had to find another way and that was a wheeled trolley!!!  It is great that you are doing so much to support him.

      https://patient.info/health/calcium-pyrophosphate-deposition-including-pseudogout-leaflet

      http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org/arthritis-information/conditions/calcium-crystal-diseases.aspx

      Emis Moderator comment: I have replaced the link with the one above as well as our PIL on this as the link provided didn't work.

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