Reactive Arthritis

Posted , 3 users are following.

In June 2007 I was diagnosed with ReA, only to spend 5 days in hospital (including my 21st birthday!!!) and be put on Prednisolone which at the time seemed to cure the pain I had in my Right ankle, left knee, right index finger (yep I know that one is random) bottom of back and my neck. I couldnt walk un-aided for about 3 weeks. My specialist then attempted to ween me off the steroids for the fear of me becoming too dependant on them, after this I was back in hospital again!!

6 months later, I am on Methotrexate (was put on the drug in July 2007) and Prednisolone still... I just wanted to know if anyone else has been on these drugs and the side effects you felt? I was signed off work for 3 months and have been back since September, although struggling incredibly now, tired all the time, massive hair loss, pain still coming and going in my right ankle (the worst affected joint).

To this day, the doctors seem completely baffled and have given me no reassurance what so ever, and I am now at the end of my teather! Not only is this now ReA its one hard emotional roller coaster! I love my job as a Secretary in the City but am finding it so hard to cope! I just want all this to end!

Please someone give me a light at the end of the tunnel! I need help from other sufferers!!!

Sam x

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi Sam,

    Sorry to hear about your experience, i am currently improving from a bout of RA. It started in september with a severe stomach infection i then woke unable to walk. It affected my shoulder, back, hips, knees, ankles, toes and i had terrible pain in one of my kidneys. I was bed ridden for a month and was on crutches for 3 months. I also lost 3 1/2 stone which i was assured was part of the illness. I cant walk properly still as my tendons in my ankles are very tight but the improvement although slow is there. Im still having blood tests and i have a specialist appointment for x-rays to make sure there is no permanent damage. All i can say is it will get better, some days it feels like your getting nowhere but just believe in yourself and you will get there.. Be strong as i know its hard.

    Jason...

  • Posted

    I got diagnosed with RA in 2006 and after having my knee drained several times the doc put me on methortrexate. Ive been really lucky no side affects but still getting flare ups about every six weeks(knee, wrist,thumb,back and jaw!) I suppose the only up side is i don't really get ill anymore (as it travels straight to my joints) but it does get me down some times when i get out of bed in the morning and i feel like an 80 year old all ceased up!!!!!!!!!

    Sam have you had any side effects?

    Jason you on any medication?

  • Posted

    Hi Klaire,

    I was on Dycloflenac sodium tablets for a couple of months, the specialist wanted me too have steroid injections im my knees and ankles which meant being in hospital for a while so i consulted my GP who has been brilliant and i trust completely and he thought that so many injections might not be good for me! The best thing i've done is light exercise and although sometimes very painfull i feel quite good afterwards. What sort of symptoms are you having?? There seems to be many..

  • Posted

    My symptoms are just constant aches and pains and swelling of the joints mainly my knee but also get very tired with it.

    I was on dycloflenac originally but had an illergic reaction to it and ended up in hospital, they must hate me there its like my second home!

    I still play netball and it doesnt seem to affect it too much, but i cant play when i have a flare up as its too painful.

  • Posted

    Hi Sam ,

    This is Kevin , see my posting of the 2nd iof March ( http://experience.patient.co.uk/discussion.php?t=20647 ).

    I'm curious to know what side effects you've been suffering with the Prednisolone ? I've been using it off & on for the past 4 months ; however , at pretty small doses 1 x 16mg / day , 3 - 4 days at a time .

    My RA isn't too bad so perhaps the dosing , that I adjusted myself ( trying to find the minimum effective value ) has been enough to help me .

    You'll see in my posting that I make ref to another medication that I found on the Web as being a substitute to Prednisolone . I didn't yet get advise from the doc on that one , nor have I tried it . Not sure if its not one of those new bi-therapies that are so expensive that no GP will prescribe them !

    Anyway , see what you make of it .

    Thks for any retun info you can give .

    All the best Kevin

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