Just a rant--flaring | Arthritis Information

Sigh. So my wrist has been "flaring" since December, in that the inflammation is never gone. But it gets better and worse and I have some other joints that are on and off.

I was so bad week before last (had a cold, and one night w/ 4.5 hours sleep b/c of work and son had croup). I was SO much better this week. My wrist was stable and my elbow and foot were only slightly swollen. I started to have faith that maybe the MTX was finally working, after 5 months on pills and 4 injections.

I walked on the treadmill Thursday night, but not last night. I sat at work all day, didn't type or write too much. Didn't hold the kids excessively last night or walk or stand a lot.

So I wake up this morning flaring (first in the middle of the night with serious forearm pain). NO rhyme or reason. Not time of month, or rain or too much activity.

My wrist is back to its really bad level, and my elbow won't straighten again. My shoulder is super painful to the touch so even if my kid just rests his hand on it, it hurts. My jaw (again, right side only) is really inflammed (I had "TMJ" in high school/college but I think it was RA related?) This morning my wrist was so bad I couldn't even open the milk, even though it was already open, even with my left hand because my right has lost so much ROM--already a lot with my wrist, and now when my elbow flares I can hardly rotate my arm or wrist, since I was rotating from the elbow instead of wrist to begin with.

After a few hours and a hot shower I was sort of better but my foot hurts again, my knees are gummy and I'm just blargh. I feel tired. The ridiculous thing is I've started back on ritalin for ADD (inattentive type). I was on it in college and it works great for me, just helps me to not get frazzled or scattered as much. I wasn't on it forever becasue I was giving birth/breastfeeding and I didn't want people I worked with to think I was totally weird being on and off. But now that I'm on MTX and next baby is at least 3 years away (if possible) then I was like, whatever, I'm going back on it. It really does help me, and I trust it since it's been around since 1950. Dr. was worried about my BP but I had it taken at blood draw last week and it was 99/70. Thank god I have low blood pressure in my genes, I'll take that!

ANYWAY the funny thing is that it helps me focus, but I'm still exhausted all the time. It's just that inherent fatigue of RA that is hard to shake. I had stopped drinking caffeine b/c I thought ritalin would help but nope--still need my caffeine! (and to sleep enough, rest, etc.)

I am sorry to write so much but I don't want to ruin my long labor day weekend griping and this helps so much to get everything off my chest.

I just dread that I will go back in 1 month and the RD will say we are going to consider biologics, which I don't want to going into flu season with young kids. And I get my x-ray then. Maybe it will show no permanent damage has been done but I haven't been able to bend my wrist all the way since last December, so I have trouble understanding how that could be true w/out permanent damage. I have serious ulna issues going on and I'm worried that he is going to recommend surgery soon or whatever. It's getting so messed up so fast, all in less than a year.

And while I've had joints flare and get better in a month before (since Dec.), I have a feeling that my immune system has decided this elbow is next in line for destruction. I was able to straighten it this week so I was excited (even though it was still visibly swollen--no wrinkles in skin in the point of my elbow) but now it's back swollen badly again.

Thank you for reading and just letting me put all of this out there. I have to remain confident that I can continue working (with my job, I think I can) but it's still frustrating and I just don't know where this is headed. I may have to go back up to Nashville to see the specialist again or my RD here is going to try to get him on the phone. I will count myself lucky that he is young enough and smart/honest/good enough that he admits he needs a consult to figure out what to do, and isn't just acting confident when he's not.

I hope you find the right treatment for you.Thanks. I just read the post and it is soooo looooooooong. Sorry

Your post was not too long. That is why we are here. I am so sorry for your pin. I hope you find an answer soon.How frustrated you must be! Glad you got it off your chest- that's what we are here for. Wish I had an answer for you or could take away your pain.....Interesting post because my wife had TMJ in high school/college and then RA hit about ten years later. I now think it was RA lurking in the background. As for biologics and flu season, biologics work quickly (usually) and you can just stop them if you get sick with an infection. For example, my wife got strep a couple years ago and just held off on her Humira until the strep went away. Just saying this because a biologic may be what you need to get rid of these nasty flares. And already being on MTX makes you more at risk for infection anyway. Whatever you decide, hope you feel better soon!
Joe
Katie.. post away.. we all understand what you're feeling..

I'd suggest a flu shot... get the dead one.. LOl .. not a live vaccine... also, get the braces as mentioned... You can get them at a pharmacy... I sleeep w/ one on each and they help by not allowing me to roll my wrists and cause problems.. though my right wrist is always swollen and always sore.. it does feel better when I am wearing the brace!

Joe's right about the biologics.... just stop when you get sick.. and start up right after! I've been taking the enbrel (knock on wood) and I've felt good for three months now... no infections..but when I did have one.. I just held off on my shot

hang in there.. don't fear the bio's .... they may be your ticket to Remission Land..

Thanks everyone. Yesterday and today I felt better after about 1-2. Just extended morning stiffness and rough to sleep at night. I think that's why my wrist got so bad so fast...the drs were telling me to not move it b/c they thought it was tendonitis and so I never got moving to get the gelling effect/synovial fluid out of there. So I'm trying to do as much as possible although in the morning I'm just crabby...I appreciate your support. Thans for the input about biologics as well...hi , vent away, like everyone here has said, thats why we're here, to support each other w/ this horrid Ra..

DO go to a specialist and yes major meds.. to me, is the right way to go.. by being on them, fast.. my joints haven't gotten much worse (xrays showed that, after 3 yrs)...

I'm on a lot of stuff.. but its worth it!!

Also yes, the wrist braces, esp w/ steel in it, really help.. ( i can't sleep w/ them on, i keep tossing them off in my sleep , lol and hope that it doesnt hit one of the cats! lolAs to wrist braces...I don't THINK that's right for me? I have very limited ROM in my wrist. Can only bend it up and down each way about 15-20 degrees. So I'd worry that a brace would make it even worse? I have been keeping one at work so if my wrist is really hurting and I have to meet a lot of new people I have a more visible excuse not to shake hands. :)

I've gotten to where I can't sleep on my right side anyway because of shoulder pain...blarg...