Hi Folks,
I've had long time problems with rheumatpoid arthritis, but these days, tendonitis-sy problems are driving me crazy. What helps YOU with this???
This is TRYLY such a darned pain and limitation, I want relief. Any feedback appreciated!
Thanks loads,
Kanadiana
PS: I surely wish that I could edit the typo's of my last ... bummer LOL
Hey Kanadiana! Welcome to HealingWell! What meds are you on for the RA? Can you take an NSAID? I have PA, and take Enbrel, but when I have pain elsewhere, I take a NSAID and most of the time it alleviates it... but sometimes it does not and I am just miserable!
You can edit your post, just click on the little pencil in the window at the left of your post and it will let you edit it! :) Hope you decide to stick around and continue posting with us!
Duck
Diagnosed January 2005 - Psoriatic Arthritis/Spondylitis
You can edit your post, just click on the little pencil in the window at the left of your post and it will let you edit it! :) Hope you decide to stick around and continue posting with us!
Duck
Diagnosed January 2005 - Psoriatic Arthritis/Spondylitis
-Currently taking 50mg shot weekly of Enbrel
Diagnosed May 1998 - Graves Disease
-Complete Thyroidectomy September 1998 - While 11 weeks pregnant
Other Complications - GERD/Scoliosis/Hiatal Hernia/Graves Disease of the Eyes
Diagnosed May 1998 - Graves Disease
-Complete Thyroidectomy September 1998 - While 11 weeks pregnant
Other Complications - GERD/Scoliosis/Hiatal Hernia/Graves Disease of the Eyes
Current Meds - Enbrel/Prevacid/Synthroid
Past Meds - Inderal/PTU/Prednisone/Voltaren/Feldene/Mobic/Cortisone and Steroid Shots
Welcome. Sorry to hear about the pain. Got that going on in my foot right now as well.
Lots of Motrin, splinting, and stretching seems to help me over time for these types of pain. Hot baths with massaging as well. Also, cutting back on the use of that appendage (keeps me doing nothing, but what else can you do?)
**
Hi Ducky,
Thanks for the welcome
Over the years I've been on different things, mainly plaquenil, then gold injections, currently am seeing a rheumatologist getting re-assessed and trying to come up with a combination of meds that works for me, with the least side effects (good luck, eh? LOL) Rheumy was about to start me on methotrexate but it seems they're re-evaluating my blood work as I'm hitting "borderline hepatitus" ... hmmmm ... so holding off starting the Mx until rheumy calls me and advises. Am using anti-inflamms and something to prevent stomach bleeding in the interim just for some relief from the tendonitissy problems. They "take the edge off" ... that's about it. At least I don't burst into tears out of "too much pain, too long, too tired" LOL (tendonitis/calcific tendonitis/bursitis .... have all been a problem for me, but lately the tendonitissy stuff is widespread and hurts. Maybe I can't handle this climate (moved to Ontario from BC first, then Manitoba and have never had such widespread problems before. Anyone else find climate to effect lots???)
Meanwhile, I'm wondering what others do to relieve the pain of the tendon/muscle problems, other than meds, hot baths, icing ... even any topical things that help? Unfortunately, I think every tendon in my body is effected and therefore, I'm sure you can imagine how painful and limiting/mobility that is...
Still waiting for rheumy to call-back before I can get on with a program for all my little aches and pains.
I wish I could push some button to do away with all the chronic health problems and pain that plague people ... it seems auto-immune problems open the door for new ones to be problems and we end up with multiple problems hey?
CAMAMA: Thank you too, for the welcome :wink: Ouch ... foot ... I get spontaneous eruptions of inflammation at my knees and ankles, toes, hips, now too ... fine one minute then poof ... hot baths are a godsend. I do sometimes 3/4 a day ... which certainly soothes the muscular pain for a while, which relieves stress/pain at the joints, for a while. Quite the challenge getting in and out of the tub sometimes ... interesting contortions LOL ... ouch!
A belated HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OF YOU, by the way ;)
Thanks for the welcome
Over the years I've been on different things, mainly plaquenil, then gold injections, currently am seeing a rheumatologist getting re-assessed and trying to come up with a combination of meds that works for me, with the least side effects (good luck, eh? LOL) Rheumy was about to start me on methotrexate but it seems they're re-evaluating my blood work as I'm hitting "borderline hepatitus" ... hmmmm ... so holding off starting the Mx until rheumy calls me and advises. Am using anti-inflamms and something to prevent stomach bleeding in the interim just for some relief from the tendonitissy problems. They "take the edge off" ... that's about it. At least I don't burst into tears out of "too much pain, too long, too tired" LOL (tendonitis/calcific tendonitis/bursitis .... have all been a problem for me, but lately the tendonitissy stuff is widespread and hurts. Maybe I can't handle this climate (moved to Ontario from BC first, then Manitoba and have never had such widespread problems before. Anyone else find climate to effect lots???)
Meanwhile, I'm wondering what others do to relieve the pain of the tendon/muscle problems, other than meds, hot baths, icing ... even any topical things that help? Unfortunately, I think every tendon in my body is effected and therefore, I'm sure you can imagine how painful and limiting/mobility that is...
Still waiting for rheumy to call-back before I can get on with a program for all my little aches and pains.
I wish I could push some button to do away with all the chronic health problems and pain that plague people ... it seems auto-immune problems open the door for new ones to be problems and we end up with multiple problems hey?
CAMAMA: Thank you too, for the welcome :wink: Ouch ... foot ... I get spontaneous eruptions of inflammation at my knees and ankles, toes, hips, now too ... fine one minute then poof ... hot baths are a godsend. I do sometimes 3/4 a day ... which certainly soothes the muscular pain for a while, which relieves stress/pain at the joints, for a while. Quite the challenge getting in and out of the tub sometimes ... interesting contortions LOL ... ouch!
A belated HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OF YOU, by the way ;)
I had a Dr tell me I had tendonitis,I knew It wasn't.I went to an Orthopedic.Dr,I had a tear in the rotor cuff of my shoulder,I had surgey & am in great shape now...........
SnowyLynne
SnowyLynne
Hi kanadiana,
Welcome to the forum! I have tendonitis in my wrists. Stretching exercises and heat seems to help the best, along with rest and anti-inflammatories when it's really painful. I hope you find something that works for you.
Kimber
Welcome to the forum! I have tendonitis in my wrists. Stretching exercises and heat seems to help the best, along with rest and anti-inflammatories when it's really painful. I hope you find something that works for you.
Kimber
Hi ... Thanks for your replies folks :)
I was able to see a rheumatologist and the "tendonitisy things" are probably due to fibromyalgia (on top of long standing rheumatoid arthritis) She definately diagnosed fibromyalgia ... which I understand often people with RA have problems with fibro too. It was nice to have what I already suspected for a few years, verified ;) My tendons, ligaments, and muscles really give me a lot of trouble these days ... and one thing I've done to help some is when i discovered that super hot baths ease/soothe me for a while. I do sometimes 3/4 hot baths for a few minutes soak every day. ... whatever works, even if only briefly!
All joints/places where tendons and ligaments attach is where I flare/swell and hurt lots ... I have to have some labs redone as before they will go forward with prescribing ... I just have to wait.
Guess I'll just be patient for doc and rheumy to come up with the right combination of meds that i can handle ... and do what I can to ease pain for now ... the pain is too much and very disabling some days, as i'm sure many of you know what those days are like.
Anyways ... thanks for any/all feedback from you folks. These forums are great for networking for info and support!!!
I was able to see a rheumatologist and the "tendonitisy things" are probably due to fibromyalgia (on top of long standing rheumatoid arthritis) She definately diagnosed fibromyalgia ... which I understand often people with RA have problems with fibro too. It was nice to have what I already suspected for a few years, verified ;) My tendons, ligaments, and muscles really give me a lot of trouble these days ... and one thing I've done to help some is when i discovered that super hot baths ease/soothe me for a while. I do sometimes 3/4 hot baths for a few minutes soak every day. ... whatever works, even if only briefly!
All joints/places where tendons and ligaments attach is where I flare/swell and hurt lots ... I have to have some labs redone as before they will go forward with prescribing ... I just have to wait.
Guess I'll just be patient for doc and rheumy to come up with the right combination of meds that i can handle ... and do what I can to ease pain for now ... the pain is too much and very disabling some days, as i'm sure many of you know what those days are like.
Anyways ... thanks for any/all feedback from you folks. These forums are great for networking for info and support!!!
dear Kanadiana,
so glad you were able to find HealingWell! good to have you, wish it were under different circumstances...but nevertheless here we are!
i'll try to not be redundant, but what about steroid injections? or oral prednisone? you've probably been down that road already?
i use many times LidoDerm patches (RX) and put them on say...2 on each knee or surrounding my elbows and shoulders & then wrap them in an ACE. i bought an OTC cream called "Fluid Joint" and it freezes the area and it kinda takes the edge off...although it smells real bad!
unfortunatley the injections into the joints by my rheummy are just about the only thing that stops the throbbing when in a bad flare for me.
i sure hope you find a good combo of treatment and prevention...i'm on the same quest myself!
again, welcome & let us know how you are doing!
sincerely,
erin
Active, Severe RA. Crohns Disease. Chiari Malformation & Right Brain venous anomoly. Emphysema. Rheumatic Lung. MVP and Tricuspid prolapse. Had Lymes disease for 10 years.
Active, Severe RA. Crohns Disease. Chiari Malformation & Right Brain venous anomoly. Emphysema. Rheumatic Lung. MVP and Tricuspid prolapse. Had Lymes disease for 10 years.
Meds: Humira 40mg every 4 days; pred; Pentasa; Imuran; dilaudid; diazepam & too many others.
Thanks Erin,
I was turned down for the cortisone shot (general for all over, not just into a joint) because of my abnormal liver labs ... which I have to have redone, before they can decide if it's safe for me to do that or methotrexate ... etc ... can't have the cortisone general shots unless liver functions are normal .. same with methotrexate and other meds ... crap, hey? It's ironic because Dr. offered me cortisone shots last month BEFORE they did labs and I turned them down! LOL
I've relented and am taking the meloxicam anti-inflammatories, upset tummy or not, just because I really need the little relief they give ... I worry about the nsaids because I'm now hypertensive.
Hmmmm ... I feel much older than 51! Argh ......
Thanks for your reply ... gotta run now.... things to do and am late.
I was turned down for the cortisone shot (general for all over, not just into a joint) because of my abnormal liver labs ... which I have to have redone, before they can decide if it's safe for me to do that or methotrexate ... etc ... can't have the cortisone general shots unless liver functions are normal .. same with methotrexate and other meds ... crap, hey? It's ironic because Dr. offered me cortisone shots last month BEFORE they did labs and I turned them down! LOL
I've relented and am taking the meloxicam anti-inflammatories, upset tummy or not, just because I really need the little relief they give ... I worry about the nsaids because I'm now hypertensive.
Hmmmm ... I feel much older than 51! Argh ......
Thanks for your reply ... gotta run now.... things to do and am late.
SnowyLynne said...
I had a Dr tell me I had tendonitis,I knew It wasn't.I went to an Orthopedic.Dr,I had a tear in the rotor cuff of my shoulder,I had surgey & am in great shape now...........
I had a Dr tell me I had tendonitis,I knew It wasn't.I went to an Orthopedic.Dr,I had a tear in the rotor cuff of my shoulder,I had surgey & am in great shape now...........
I am brand new here; found this forum after doing a google search re rotor cuff surgery.Would you please share with me all about the surgery you had done re the rotor cuff and the tear. I am scheduled for this surgery soon and I am some what apprehensive as to what to expect after this surgery.I do hope its sucessful as my other shoulder is so full of bursitis and actually is far more painful.Wondering if they will do this painful one first?
What is the protocol following this sugery..how long in hospiatl and what can I expect?Alsowhat did they give you for pain floowing the surgery;I hear this is a very painful surgery to have done. But its so good to read that you were pleased with it.
Wish there was a way I could email you other than on here.
Hi Folks.
I'm back ;) Feb 2nd I left the commonlaw relationship I was in (long story and leaving was the right and only thing to do) and relocated a few Provinces farther West ... and now am settled and online but lost all my bookmarks as I had to start from scratch with a whole new to me computer setup (shared one with the commonlaw partner)
I just found this forum again tonight/this morning.
Will be seeing a new to me rheumy in a couple of days and passing on what the last rheumy came up with before I had to leave her midstream to move. Hopefully this new guy will be able to really assess me and work out a plan and meds that work for me.
It's great to have my own space again and that's been amazingly therapeutic ... although the aches and pains, therefore abilities and mobilities, are an unpredictable rollercoaster each day. Never know what to expect will go today.
I think the blood pressure high reads have settled down quite a lot ... perhaps as soon as I got on the plane to leave? LOL
SMD ... I hope you had some of your questions answered regards your coming surgery ... maybe you've already had it by now and are recovering or recovered. I hope the surgery makes a huge good difference for you!
I hope everyone else is doing okay.
K.
I'm back ;) Feb 2nd I left the commonlaw relationship I was in (long story and leaving was the right and only thing to do) and relocated a few Provinces farther West ... and now am settled and online but lost all my bookmarks as I had to start from scratch with a whole new to me computer setup (shared one with the commonlaw partner)
I just found this forum again tonight/this morning.
Will be seeing a new to me rheumy in a couple of days and passing on what the last rheumy came up with before I had to leave her midstream to move. Hopefully this new guy will be able to really assess me and work out a plan and meds that work for me.
It's great to have my own space again and that's been amazingly therapeutic ... although the aches and pains, therefore abilities and mobilities, are an unpredictable rollercoaster each day. Never know what to expect will go today.
I think the blood pressure high reads have settled down quite a lot ... perhaps as soon as I got on the plane to leave? LOL
SMD ... I hope you had some of your questions answered regards your coming surgery ... maybe you've already had it by now and are recovering or recovered. I hope the surgery makes a huge good difference for you!
I hope everyone else is doing okay.
K.
hey kanadiana,
so great to have you back & congratulations on your new life! way to go!
i bet a lot has changed and will continue to change since your smart move!
maybe a fresh look from a brand new doc will be even better. i wish you the best with it.
let us know how you make out.
take good care
erin
Active, Severe RA. Crohns Disease. Chiari Malformation & Right Brain venous anomoly. AS. Emphysema. Rheumatic Lung. MVP and Tricuspid prolapse. Had Lymes disease for 10 years.
Meds: Humira 40mg every 4 days; pred; Pentasa; Imuran; dilaudid; diazepam; Avinza 30mg; MiraLax & too many others.
If you are having that much trouble with enthesitis [tendonitis of insertion points] has anyone every evaluated for spondylitis? Ankylosing spondylitis and 4 other arthritis type diseases all have enthesitis components. Spondylitis is an autoimmune disease too. I have frequent flaring enthesitis due to spondyloarthropathy associated with Crohn's Disease. I cannot take NSAIDs and am receiving Remicade to try and control the enthesitis flaring.
CD, Ankylosing Spondylitis, peripheral neuropathy
Please help support this forum. http://www.healingwell.com/donate/
ERIN ... thanks :) So far so good. Hopefully things will now move fast with finishing assessments and getting on with some progress, my appointment is Wed. morning ;) Will keep you folks posted. This guy comes up from the Coast (other side of this Province from here) every few months.
K.
IDES ... thanks for your reply. Now I have to look up that word "enthesitis" LOL Regards diagnoses ... so far it's mainly currently
advanced active rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia, and degenerating cervical discs in my neck causing some hell, amongst other related things. All joints and their attachments now involved. Things are advancing and progressing quickly now and that's why I'm anxious to see the rheumy to see what we can do. AS? I just read up a little on it and I suppose it's possible but I think this is more fibromyalgia mischief. Just a guess.
Thanks again.
K.
K.
IDES ... thanks for your reply. Now I have to look up that word "enthesitis" LOL Regards diagnoses ... so far it's mainly currently
advanced active rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia, and degenerating cervical discs in my neck causing some hell, amongst other related things. All joints and their attachments now involved. Things are advancing and progressing quickly now and that's why I'm anxious to see the rheumy to see what we can do. AS? I just read up a little on it and I suppose it's possible but I think this is more fibromyalgia mischief. Just a guess.
Thanks again.
K.
Hi folks,
Well ... had my rheumatologist appointment and he wants to see me again in July when he comes back here. Being referred to physio and occupational therapy, plus had a med prescribed wich I can't take until some lab tests are sorted out. Sulfasalazine??? I think thats the med. He said it was the safest one for ME to take. RA very active and lotsa damage. Meanwhile just doing the anti-inflammatories and pariet for protection of the tummy. My doc doesn't have reumatologists report back yet and will call me to come see him when he has that. Thats about it for an update.
I hope you all are doing okay ... (one can hope and wish ;) )
hey K,
ah, good that you're on a sulfonamide medication. i wish you well with it.
so the RA is very active? have you discussed any TNF meds like Enbrel or Humira?
best wishes.
erin
Active, Severe RA. Crohns Disease. Chiari Malformation & Right Brain venous anomoly. AS. Emphysema. Rheumatic Lung. MVP and Tricuspid prolapse. Had Lymes disease for 10 years.
ah, good that you're on a sulfonamide medication. i wish you well with it.
so the RA is very active? have you discussed any TNF meds like Enbrel or Humira?
best wishes.
erin
Active, Severe RA. Crohns Disease. Chiari Malformation & Right Brain venous anomoly. AS. Emphysema. Rheumatic Lung. MVP and Tricuspid prolapse. Had Lymes disease for 10 years.
Meds: Humira 40mg every 4 days; pred; Pentasa; Imuran; dilaudid; diazepam; Avinza 30mg; MiraLax & too many others.
Hi Erin, and thanks :) I haven't started the sulfasalazine (?) yet. I need to have some more labs done as they showed "borderline heaptitis" a while back which is totally weird as I haven't ever been at risk, or been in situations that would put me at risk for it, for that at all. The rheumatologist wants to have clear liver readings before I start those meds and he chose sulfasalazine - in his words = "As the safest medication for YOU".
I've wondered if the funky liver readings may be due to the plaquenil and then the gold injections, or even the anti-inflammatories taken over time. (I haven't been on plaquenil or gold for a few years)
Anyone else in here get funky liver readings because of meds?
The RA is quite active but I think it's the fibro being VERY active and causing the most grief for me. Since I was diagnosed with RA many years ago it's just never quit progressing and slowly effecting parts of me and doing damage as it goes. The soft tissue stuff in all joints of my body is very active and ups and downs with "first this goes, then that goes" like travelling, and sometimes its everywhere all at once. Lotsa fun.
K.
.
Yeah, I have liver issues now. I'm stuck in a horrible viscious circle because of it too.
I wrote a long whine about horrible it is (it's acting up and I'm depressed), but I decided this thread was about TKR, not my liver complaints. 
Either way, I feel better for venting, though the vent is in lala land now.
Problems were caused by meds years ago (methotrexate) and an acute case of EBV/mono - claims states that liver problems from mono should never be permanent - but, alas, something has permanently affected it. A combination of the weight I've gained pratially because of liver issues (I need to loose at least 70lbs), psoriatic arthritis (which has continually affected my body beyond the joints), Remicade, which I went on soon as my mthx/mono problem was stable (i think i started waaaay too soon), and so on. I had to stop taking birth control because of it as well.
So be careful.
**
Hi CaMama,
Isn't there an old expression, something along the lines of, "Sorry, I must have been feeling liverish (cranky)."? 
Regards my "broderline hep" readings, they still aren't sorted out, but my current doc tried to explain that there wasn't anything wrong with me or my liver, just the test results. Eh???? Then why Doc do 2 rheumatologists and my last doc worry about those results and want them clear before starting me on meds that could cause problems if liver readings are off? I wish I could have taped my visits with that doc!
My own suspician about the borderline reading is that all I can think of is meds I've been on ... and researching online that it does happen with certain meds sometimes. When that reading happened I had sometimes been having a lot of discomfort in the liver area, it felt swollen actually, and yukky feelings ... digestion stuff, so as far as I'm concerned those results were an actual reflection of my physical state at the time.
I saw the rheumatologist almost a month ago and still haven't heard from my doc about the report back and I'm left hanging. Rheumy wants those borderline and other tests sorted out before giving the go ahead on some prescriptions. Rheumy also wants to see me again in July when he's back, plus I just got called up for my turn on the waitlist with physio ... and I need them now. Pinched nerves or something causing all sorts of problems for me lately (acting like cervical disc/nerves stuff)
So while some things are definately moving forward, there are glitches to be worked out regards this do and getting some better care and coordinating care going on. I put my faith in the rheumy and the physio people right now and will deal as little as possible with my doc until I can find another. This one isn't even monitoring me or even interested I think. I dunno. He's like no other doc I've ever had in terms of things he says, asks, or does.
Anyways ... life goes on and I do my days as they come ... and thank God Tuesday I get rolling with the physio people and I KNOW they'll coordinate well with my rheumatologist and me.
Here's wishing you all some relief and laughs while dealing with all this health and doctors stuff ...
K.