palindromic rheumatoid arthritis
Posted , 11 users are following.
After about 10 years of observing my RA symptoms, my rheumatologist told me I have a fairly rare form of RA called palindromic RA. My symptoms are that the pain I experience is not necessarily symmetric (e.g. both wrists) but may occur on one side. Also, pain and swelling travels around in my body. For a month or more, it might be my right knee and not my left. Then I will have tendon inflammation in my groin for a couple of weeks. Then it might move on to my left foot. Never a dull moment trying to predict where it will be next week. Has anyone experienced this? I am currently on mtx and hydroxychloroquine. I have found that turmeric really helps and so does pineapple juice and blackcherry juice.
2 likes, 44 replies
jo66120 timothy11402
Posted
My sister in law was told she has palindromic arthritis several yrs ago. She is 84 yrs young. It started in her right shoulder and she could not move her arm. Saw rummy and put on prednisone. Lasted off and on for about a year and her rummy told her it would go away in about 2 yrs. Two yrs. later it is still moving around in her going from shoulder, knee and etc. she is off any medication but when it hits her she takes steroid shots and that gives her relief for about 3 months until another attack. I guess it never goes away. My RA moves around too. First one side and then the other side, the only thing that will hurt at the same time is the shoulders, but then one will stop and the other will hurt for awhile and then it will stop. But if I try to do exercise then some pain comes back. Also, I mentioned the turmeric to my last doctor - she was a GP and she said it thins the blood and didn't want me to take it. So I thought I would ask my rummy.
timothy11402 jo66120
Posted
Everyone has their own symptoms. That is what is fascinating (if that is the word for it) all of the forms this disease take.
My GP once told me that because I have RA I will tend to take care of myself so that I probably will live to 100. He wasn't joking. If it were not for this curse I would be in absolutely perfect health. So if this is all I have to contend with I cannot complain.
So hang in there and do the best you can.
Leogirl13USA timothy11402
Posted
Hi, timothy,
I have enjoyed reading our thread. Palindromic rheumatism was recently mentioned to me by one of my doctors and I am following up with a doctor he recommended. Diagnosis is still in the offing. However, I am googling and reading all that I can. The symptoms are clearly obvious in me. I would like to know more about the black cherry juice. How much do you drink and how often. I am allergic to pineapple and can't take quinolones, so that lets me out of a couple of things mentioned here. Also allergic to black pepper (actually all colors of pepper). I need to be prepared to talk to this new doctor, but that won't stop me from getting some juice for now. I'm in the middle of a flare and my flares last 5-8 days. They come every 5 weeks...last two being rather severe. They come with sudden weight gain each time, so I'm drinking a lot of water. Knees are still inflammed. This is day 4. Would have been great to have the juice on day 1...yes?
jo66120 Leogirl13USA
Posted
Leogirl13USA jo66120
Posted
Isn't that interesting? Just went to the store to pick up Dark Cherry juice and they didn't carry it. Bad store. But they had pomegranite/cherry. So I picked up a few little bottles of it. Cost a fortune for those little things, but it's worth a shot while I'm in a flare. I'll look out for those tummy issues. Thank you for the warning.
timothy11402 Leogirl13USA
Posted
Leogirl13USA timothy11402
Posted
Hi, T,
Thanks for the info on Black cherry. The pomegranite is no doubt mixed with BLACK cherry...very dark mixture. 6 ounces sounds good. I mixed inositol with it. Perfect. I read in this thread about adding black pepper to turmeric or don't bother. What do you think? I'm allergic to all colors of pepper. Hm...I am not nearly as active as I should be. I work at the computer or piano most of the time. Then direct a chorus or perform with them. So, activity is spotty. But I'm doing pretty well on that score by past experience. It's these knees right now...fifth day of a flare. When I'm done with that...should be a couple more days, I'll be able to do more. Thanks for the encouragement!
timothy11402 Leogirl13USA
Posted
Leogirl13USA timothy11402
Posted
Thanks for the word about turmeric...I'll go back to that! My friend is a yoga teacher. I'll start tapping that source! This forum has already been great. Even if the rheumatologist turns out to be a bust, I can treat myself to a degree with the support of others. The symptoms are too clear to be ignored. It is possible I could have had this in some form since the 1990's! But the sudden severity in 2015 has made it much more visible and clear by symptom. I do worry about damage to the joints though.
timothy11402 Leogirl13USA
Posted
My rheumatologist started aggressive treatment (hydroxychloroquine and mtx) early on and so far I have had no joint damage. Being that I have had RA for 14 years, that's saying something. A good rheumatologist listens and observes. You should bring up any symptoms, even if you don't know if the symptom is part of RA. I started having sores around my lips along with horrific chapped lips. I brought that up to him and he took it seriously as these were symptoms of lack of a vitamin due to my RA. He treated it with leucovorin and it all disappeared. So a good line of communication is important. Good luck!