Hello all, haven't posted in awhile, been trying to sort things out. Still haven't been able to find a job and on VA medical, which so far hasn't been the greatest. Applied for Disability, but of course was denied and no attorney will touch it because its the VA. Have to go to St Louis, which is 4 hours away just to see a RA doctor.
Anyway, for those that remember me, they might remember me talking about how my feet ALWAYS hurt. the rest of me can feel pretty good, but the pain never goes away from my foot. The left one is still swelled, after two years and the swelling has never went down. Beginning to think its not RA, at least not what is causing the pain in my foot. When everything starts hurting, fingers, elbows, etc...well that is probably the RA, but the pain in my feet has not stopped in two years.
So I guess I just need a little brainstorming to figure this out, what it could possibly be.
Back when I had insurance I went to an Orthpedic Doctor and after three visits all I got was "I don't know". RA doctor just prescribes RA meds, doesn't even seem to consider anything else.
Hope someone has some ideas, because this not being able to even stand on my feet for long periods of time is the pits.
Thank you
Phil
where in your feet is the pain, my ra is in my knees, which aren't all that bad and ankles and feet which are awful. my pain is mostly on the the top of my feet to my toes. if it is in the arches I would find a different orthopedic doctor. the one I saw just sent me back to rd too, good luck foot pain sucks!!Pain is mainly in my ankles, top of my feet and the sides of them. Arches seem to be ok, either that or the pain is so bad on the other parts I don't feel it.
What about x-rays or MRI? They can show RA and OA.
Phil, it's sad you haven't been able to get diagnosed and proper care. Keep the faith - Cathy
Have you seen a podiatrist...just a plain simple foot specialist. They might be able to help....maybe some orthotics for your shoes. I would see another Orthopedic Specialist. Or get your family Dr to do some new x-rays, to see if anything has deteriorated, then talk about a new specialist.Only have VA medical and have to wait on them to send me to other VA docs. Been waiting 4 months just for RA doctor. Had MRI, X-rays back 2 years ago when it started, and it showed some RA in my feet. However, no medication has taken the swelling down or the pain away there. On MTX, but may not be enough of a dose, its 15mg a week, plus 10 mg of pred a day. Hi Phil, if the xrays showed RA 2 years ago then it sounds as if RA is active and causing inflammation, swelling and possibly damage. You're right about the MXT dosage, also you may need to have another dmard or biologic to the mix. Did your blood work support the RA diagnosis? I had foot pain and ankle pain for 10 years until Humira, MXT, Sulfa kicked in and I'm now in clinical remission. I still have foot pain pain but only about 30% of prior pain and I feel it's damage that was done in the last 10 years. Lyrica also helped with the foot pain. Any possibility that your primary care with VA can rush along the appt. with the RD or get authorization and refer you out of the system? LindyGot an appointment on the 6th of August. Have to take the shuttle and takes about 4 hours. Seems no one will hire me when I come limping into the interview:) My blood work from 2 years ago had an RA factor of 65 which I have come to understand that although it is above the limit, still kinda of low. My foot pain is so bad sometimes that I cannot walk on it, if I could get where I could function from day to day I would be one happy camper. I am a big fan of using shoes with good support. I put in my inserts from superfeet.com (about ) and they work wonders. Short of custom orthotics, these are really hard to beat.