I'm not sure what's happening as I'm still trying to get a reliable diagnosis. I'm 55, finished ABVD chemo for Hodgkins Nodular Sclerosis Stage IIIB at the end of November. Prior to the diagnosis of lymphoma, I had wrist and hand joint pain that was treated briefly with Naproxen, Prednisone and Celebrex which didn't agree with me. The pain persisted, but I was working two jobs and ignored it. Than I lost my main job, was diagnosed with lymphoma, went on chemo and lost my second job. Anyway, my scans are clean so my first battle is over. While I was on the chemo, I had no signs of arthritis.
About a month ago, all of my joints decided to attack me. I've got ongoing pain in my hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders and lower back. I get stiffness in my knees and hips as well as stiffness in my hands and wrists. My eyes get dry and the stifffness persists. And the symptoms seem to be getting more persistent if not stronger. Right now I'm on Vicodin as Naproxen didn't help. I saw the rheumatologist Thursday and had more blood work on Friday. She agrees that the chemo may have suppressed the arthritis. I go back in two weeks.
Technically I could have chemo induced arthritis, but somehow I think this might be RA. The only thing I don't have is swelling and the first test I had for RF was negative.
I really want to work again, but this is a bear. I'm trying to take as little of the Vicodin as possible as it's not my desire to be sedated. I wish I knew what was going on.
Thank you milly. If it wasn't for symptoms already in play before the lymphoma, I would have thought this was just post chemo arthritis. No prednisone yet. I'm leaving this up to the rheumatologist, but I hope I get some test result information sooner.
I hope the test results come back quickly so that you can get out of some of this pain. Your reumy will probably take good care of you.Chemo lowers the immune system just like RA drugs do so that could explain why you were not flaring while on the chemo. The dry eyes could be a sign of Sjorgrens that goes along with RA. I am so glad you saw a ruemotoligist. She probably did an anti-ccp test and probably tested for other things that could make you swell. I am sorry you are going through all of this. Hopefully you are on the road to recovery. It takes awhile for the anti-ccp test to come back and waiting stinks. Has your doctor given you any prednisone for the swelling yet? I know the waiting is hard. It took years for my RF factor to show up positive but the anti-ccp test is a newer test and sometimes you can show up on that as positive without a high RF. Also some people are sero negative. That is they do not show up on the test. It is just an RA thing at least 20 percent of people and probably more than that with RA do not test positive. The doctor can give you a diagnose based on your symtems. Also a tip. Do most of your posting on the RA board from now on and you will probably get a better responce. Regardless of what you have most of us just hang out on the RA board. Welcome to the forum. There are alot of kind people here that will understand what you are going through and can help stir you in the right direction, answer questions and just be around to listen and hang out with you to keep your mind off things. We understand. I hope things get better for you soon.Mab, I'm sorry you're having these difficulties. The good news is your cancer battle is won. That is HUGE. Anything else that comes is probably much less serious in comparison. That's not to say it's not frustrating, painful, and everything else that comes with chronic illness. But you're obviously a fighter with a good medical team. Give them some time and you'll all get to the bottom of this as well. Congratulations on your past success and good luck with your current challenge. I have a feeling you're going to kick some serious ass.
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