Saw rheumy today. | Arthritis Information

Hi guys, just thought I would let you know how I went today.

Firstly my RD thought I looked better than usual and I agree as I have been taking the 10mg of MTX weekly and it is definitely working.  Also the 20mg of Oxycontin twice a day is making a hell of a difference.

My iron levels and bone marrow iron stores are low again so it may mean another infusion.  He is checking my thyroid markers and Vitamin D levels.   He checked all my joints and apart from the feet and knees said the swelling and inflammation had lessened!!!!!  Yeehaa

He said that all the pain I feel regularly is mostly mechanical from rheumatoid damage that has caused other skeletal problems, especially osteoarthritis and osteoporosis and very active fibromyalgia and hip bursitis.  I told him about my feet and how bad they have been, he checked them over, very painful, he believes that the previous stress fracture on the 4th metatarsal on the right foot has possibly refractured, I had an accident a few weeks ago playing around with my 7 y.o. Luke.  So he wants me to have a bone scan to look for a new fracture.  I have an appointment for that this Friday.  He then made me walk barefooted and said my right foot especially has fallen arch, and I need to get some special orthotics made as he feels that I am walking so abnormally that could be the reason for such bad back, hip and knee pain.  So I need to make an appt with a podiatrist.  He said Rituximab would be his next option for me, but he won't apply for it just yet as I have developed a cough and he said it is in my chest, so no increase in the MTX either, (GP wanted to increase it this week).  If and when we do apply for it, he said I have to get myself in a flare so that they have some markers to compare against to see if it is working.  I can't quite agree with that, my previous history and current flare should be enough  to compare against in the future.  I wouldn't mind so much if I didn't live so far away from him, I would have to travel down by car in that state for 3 hours.  No fun.

Anyway overall I am pleased with the visit, I really think the Oxycontin is helping but it makes me terribly drowsy and I have to sleep, so fingers crossed I will continue to improve and I can lower it and the pred maybe.

I am not allowed to go back to my walking until I get my feet sorted out, he recommends a recumbent unicycle, apparently they make you sit as if you are in an arm chair and then you cycle, as my spine and hips are so painful, I agree with him that I wouldn't be able to do it for long on a normal exercise bike. 

Thanks for letting me ramble, I will let you know what the scan shows, hugs Janie. janiefx2008-04-14 04:25:07Hi Janie, I dont think you are rambling at all. Your RD sounds very thorough. I hope that the bone scan doesnt show any fracture and that it just something minor. My daughter had orthodics made by the podiatrist and she wore them for about 5 years for a fallen arch. She now has no problems and walks fine. I have my RD appt. tomorrow and I have to travel about an hour nd a half. Even that time traveling can cause me to be in heaps of pain and all puffed up in the ankles. Its a pity you cant get such a good doctor closer to home. Hugs. AllyJanie, you seem to have a very good RD. I do agree, though, they shouldn't have to get you into another flare to raise your MTX. Seems backward, doesn't it?