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Wrist Fusion?

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pknaturgrl
pknaturgrl

I have some unknown from of rheumatoid like arthritis  that is eating up multiple joints with severe erosion of bones at joints and cysts. I have had a hip replacement, a elbow replacement, and now am losing my L wrist & ankles. Has anyone here had a wrist fusion and how did that work for increasing stability and ability to use the wrist/arm, while decreasing pain? Also has anyone else with this kind of thing? What medicines worked best for you? I have already tried Sulfasalazine, Hydrochloroquine and CBD oil without much improvement and often bad side effects. Methoytrexate is next, but it is so liver toxic. Oh did I mention, all my blood tests are negative except for a positive ANA screen and titer. They don't even know if I have rheumatoid arthritis, but something is going on that is more than my known osteoarthritis. Just looking for information from any of you out there who may have had similar experiences. Thanks!

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • lyn1951
    lyn1951 pknaturgrl

    Posted

    I have been on MTX for nearly 15 years, have really had no problems with it, they do watch your liver function very closely when they first start you, to see if you can tolerate.

    Another med I am on, Arava or leflunomide, works the best for me of all my different meds, but cannot tolerate 20mg, blood pressure became extremely high, headaches and just felt terrible, so dropped me to 10mg, which for me has worked very well.

    I too have a negative rheumatoid arthirits result, but specialist says I have psoriasis arthritis, because I have psoriasis on my skin.

    My ESR and CRP blood tests show inflammation of long standing.

    Recently I have got my inflammation under control by cutting out wheat products, it seems I am sensitive to wheat, even rheumo specialist has said what ever you are doing its working, your ESR and CRP are as low as they have ever been, so keep doing whatever it is you are doing, its working.

  • deena13493
    deena13493 pknaturgrl

    Posted

    You sound from your symptoms and horrible erosions of having a horrible case of rheumatoid arthritis.  According to my rheumatoid arthritis, you can be all negative on tests but by physical evidence from what you described and your Ana screen you definitely have RA.  I understand your apprehension of the toxic drugs, i was recently diagnosed 2 years ago and although Ihave gotten a few kenalog shots, have been reluctant to start other drugs, however, I do not have it to the severity you do.  Bottom line, if you want to save your other joints you need to get on an aggressive form of treatment.  There are so many new biologics out there (all with their side effects), but you sound like you need to do what is necessary to PREVENT further damage.

    Good luck

  • pknaturgrl
    pknaturgrl

    Posted

    Thank you all for this information, which I find very helpful. My doctor thought I had psoriatic arthritis also because it often has negative blood tests, but I do not have psoriasis. (I did see a small patch of something like it after my recent surgery though) It is scary to take these heavy drugs because I also am chemically sensitive and each one is like russian roulette to me! I had a very bad reaction to Sulfasalazine, even though I can take sulfa drugs and aspirin. It seems i am more sensitive as I am aging and my body is breaking down from whatever this is.
    • lyn1951
      lyn1951 pknaturgrl

      Posted

      I have a very low grade form of psoriasis, most people have nasty looking welts or patches on their skin, I don't, I just have very dry heels, no patches on elbows which a lot of people suffer from and I appear to have dandruff, but have been told it is psoriasis since I was a child.

      Ocasionally on my hands I get these micro blisters, in a patch, or a dry patch, some cortoid cream and its gone, have to be careful with bleaches and or very strong cleaners, and also those spray and wipe type products, they make me itch, grrrr. 

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