New here. Is US Arizona desert truly helpful for arthritis?
Posted , 6 users are following.
Greetings!
I am new here and delighted to find you. I have a few health issues-who doesn't?-but have just been diagnosed with RA.
The thing of it is, I have been in denial for many years with Dr after Dr wanting me to get tested for MS, Lupus, and RA. I just had too many health going on to deal with one more. I have bad health fatigue! Well, finally, after my two middle fingers being locked as "trigger fingers" for as long as 2 weeks at a time and my hip dislocating nearly every day to point I couldn't walk...all this for more than 8 months, I consulted my Dr. who immediately put me on Prednisone. Wow! The clock just turned back 20 years! I feel fabulous, like the younger me!
Can you point me to some good books to become educated of RA? or more Forums?
I'd appreciate any tips on what a newcomer to RA should know or do.
I am going to Arizona and am having a work up at Mayo clinic. It's been too long since I've had a good going over.
So, will that desert sun really help? 😃
Nice to be here!
Cheers to a colorful life!
0 likes, 15 replies
syedq51 BlytheArtist
Posted
Prednsolon is a good medicine. But use under strict supervision of ur physician. I used it for one year and gradually tapered off the dose until I stopped it completely. In case of severe pain or inflammation I take one 5mg tab as needed. Yes I agree with u that weather does affect arithritus patients depending upon ur condition. Exercise and ur diet matter a lot.
BlytheArtist syedq51
Posted
Thank you, sydeq51. I appreciate your responding.
Thus far, I am retaining fluids but feel pretty fabulous. My hands are still pretty cripled but I've also been doing more because I feel better. Pain is nature's way of informing us to tend to our bodies.
I'll look up Prednsolon to see how it differs from this Prednisone. It's great to read you can do a PRN dose that works.
There's a pool and 80+ degrees waiting for me in Arizona.
I was there 5 years ago and after a month of an HCG diet (anti-inflammatory), the sun, swimming 2x day, I felt great. I'm hoping to repeat the outcome.
How long have you been diagnosed with RA?
Thx again. 😃
syedq51 BlytheArtist
Posted
It was 3 years ago. I still take one plaquenil tab 200 MG daily plus multi vitamin supplement. Initially I was taking methotrexate 2 1/2mg tabsx5 every Tuesday but now I don't take any more bcoz my RA lab test became negative so I take mainly the pain killers tabs like prednsolon or diclofenic potassium 50 MG one or two tabs daily divided into 2 doses. Wish u a very best of luck and speedy recovery
BlytheArtist syedq51
Posted
Thank you for your response and good wishes.
It's encouraging to see a positive outcome and I hope it continues.
I am going to start a file of all these drugs before my Mayo visit. I take drugs for my epilepsy and hope these will not interfere.
Muchly appreciated!
treezsh BlytheArtist
Posted
Hi there, I was diagnosed (as a physiotherapist just retired) 4 years ago. Its been a rollercoaster for sure but the new biological drugs have been wonderful. Prednisolone is a fantastic relief, especially if injected and I agree you feel 10 years younger. However be warned (sorry to say this to you in your elation) its ot a great drug to take long term (and yes Prednisol is the trade name so the same drug) its not good long term and is definitely less effective as time goes on. Apart from giving me a voracious appetite.. not good as I love to cook! it also has a typical cortisol effect of making me a big angry or irritable more correctly. It doesnt do that with everyone I imagine, but cortisol does give you a shorter fuse as it were! The biological drugs... Toxilimab, there are many others on the market, its a matter of finding one that is good for you as there is as yet no genetic test to tell us which one is right for your disease process. I feel sure Arizona will be perfect, as the damp weather of Scotland is not best for me, I try to go to southern Spain in winter for a time to enjoy the dry and warm air. Though cant say I like it very hot or humid.I wish you luck on your journey with this disease, and hope that you find the right drugs so that you dont have any further defomorties to your hands (you sound like an artist) and that you can continue to lose yourself in your art and live a happy life. Theresa
BlytheArtist treezsh
Posted
Such a lovely response, Theresa. Thank you for this.
It was a orthopedic/physiotherapist who first mentioned rhuematoid arthritis to me. She saw my hands. You have an helpful background to manage this, I'd say. I appreciate your adding to this.
You made me chuckle about a "shorter fuse" as Saturday morning I woke up and was so emotional. I am normally pretty upbeat but that morning, very tired and in a lot pain, I just melted. My BF was over and just looked at me in wonder. After a few cups of coffee, my prednisone, and a bite of food, I felt better. Poor guy, tho. I'm a bit relieved I can assign some to the drugs.
You are right, I am an artist. My passion is painting, mostly oils and sculpting. I am in DC right now going to the Jefferson Memorial to photograph and video the Cherry Blossoms to paint later. I'm really a plein aire painter and long to be there splashing out the paints. I don't think my hip would tolerate it right now. I've done it before so it will still be great to go and then paint.
Arizona is nice, tho. I'm ready for the heat and sun.
I grew up in Minnesota and will be there after Arizona until January. I do feel the cold adds to my pain. I can imagine Scotland damp and chill may do that.
(btw, If you're a curling follower, I went to Bemidji Uni for 2 years. I love the Olympic Curling sport!)
I've been to the UK many times and had tickets to Scotland twice but had to cancel.
Scotland looks to be incredibly beautiful and I cannot wait to get there.
Thanks for this note and your kind thoughts. You opened up a wellspring of emotions, Theresa. I look forward to seeing more of your posts.
amkoffee treezsh
Posted
I have a condition called polymyalgia rheumatica and the only known treatment for it at this time is prednisone . Consequently I've been on prednisone since September 2nd 2016 . I remember that date because it's my birthday . Lol! I'm currently only taking 1 mg a day but I was on 20mg for quite a long time. since starting prednisone I have developed diabetes and I broke eight bones last year. 5 compression fractures in my back two broken ribs and one ankle broken in three places. I now have a severe case of osteoporosis and I really don't want to brake any more bones. (BTW I have lost 60 lb and am no longer diabetic!)
natasa24657 BlytheArtist
Posted
hi
if you keep active and change your diet to a healthy one it will help i go to Cyprus and swim in the sea most of the day and almost feel normal no pain it lasts for a while until the cold sets in good luck
BlytheArtist natasa24657
Posted
Natasa, that sounds fantastic!
Do you have a specific diet you follow or avoid certain foods?
Happy you are feeling so well.
Thank you!
natasa24657 BlytheArtist
Posted
i go to slimming world but eat plenty of veg and fruit and a little meat but loosing weight has helped
deena13493 BlytheArtist
Posted
What tests were you given that proved you had RA?
BlytheArtist deena13493
Posted
Hi deena,
I had a good amount of blood work done and the Dr. called me at home and put me on the prednisone. I don't have the specifics. I am going to the Mayo Clinic for a complete workup as I have epilepsy and just need a complete physical. I will post more of the visit later, tho, if anyone wants.
I should post photos of my hands...I can't believe I let it go so long. My two long fingers are curled again for 2 days as a trigger finger. The center of my palms show large growths. The swelling is incredible on all sides of my finger joints and wrists.
I have had several surgeries with Dr. telling me when I was in my 30's, not overweight, that I was going to have to have my knees replaced, my thumbs replaced, etc, after I'd already had surgery on both feet and 1 knee beyond other things. Drs. have been talking to me about auto-immune since I was 20. I simply didn't want to hear it.
Are you seeking a diagnosis?
Best wishes.
deena13493 BlytheArtist
Posted
What tests were you given that proved you had RA?
amkoffee BlytheArtist
Posted
I'm glad the steroids are making you feel better. I refer to prednisone as the devil drug. it is the drug we love to hate.
from your wording I'm guessing you're maybe over 50 so if I'm wrong then I apologize . But the reason I'm bringing this up it's because I'm wondering if you have another condition called polymyalgia rheumatica. It mostly syringes people over the age of 50. It responded really really well to prednisone . Just like you're describing . You will feel horrible, you will feel fatigued, you hurt in your back, your legs, your forearms and your hands and your neck and shoulders . you may not feel pain in all those locations but it will hurt and taking the prednisone stops that pain with an hour to a whole week depending on the person. I'm not saying you don't have RA I am only suggesting that you may also have PMR . when you are at the Mayo Clinic you will want to make sure that they do two tests that can help determine if you have PMR. the names of the tests are C-reactive protein and a sed rate. both of those are inflammation markers. I'm assuming you're seeing a rheumatologist since your diagnosis. a rheumatologist is the one that would will treat you for PMR. but not all rheumatologist are very familiar with PMR. I suggest you do a little Googling for PMR and there's also a group in this forum for PMR. It is a very active group.
I suffer from RA, OA, and PMR. I've had both thumbs and the middle finger on my right hand fixed because of trigger finger/thumb and I've devoped another trigger finger on my ring finger right hand.
BlytheArtist amkoffee
Posted
Aren't you so lovely to write this! Thank you so much.
I will definitely look at all this and ask Mayo of it. They are having me come in for a full work up, typical for them. I've moved a fair bit the last 8 years and really don't have a primary care physician nor specialists where I'll need them.
I had one thumb done about 5 years ago and was told I'd have to have the joints replaced on both as well as my knees. This trigger ( long)finger thing is on both hands and has been going on for about 8 months with the finger being locked as long as 2 weeks at a time. It sometimes feels the ring fingers are going, too. Some gloves and wrapping helped. I've been feeling the same type of thing in my toes, too. My hip has been dislocating quite regularly the last 8 months, too.
So many doctors have talked with me about autoimmune diseases because of events I've had. I just tried to mush on and live my life knowing we all have things to deal with. It's time to face the music. You're right of my age, I am 38++ 😉
I count myself very fortunate, tho. I've had an incredible life, traveled widely, have a fantastic family and look forward to a few decades of painting in new places.
Thank you for your kind words. I am so grateful for your guidance. I am making notes of what I need to read next. You've been just grand. 😃 TY.