My RD visit | Arthritis Information

Well, I finally broke down and went to see my RD after almost ONE year! I had to stop a while back because of job changes and lack of insurance. (I wouldn't recommend that tactic, I have been pretty miserable) Anyhoo, he wants to try me again on Arava, which I tried once before but was also on Mtx and my liver numbers increased. So, I am just trying Arava by itself. I had x-rays of my hands, feet and bilateral shoulders because I am having a heck of a time with them. He might add Humeria later, but I had such a rough time on Enbrel (as far as infections) that he is worried I will have the same problem. He also increased my Tramadol. Of course, they took blood and I'm waiting to hear back from him on all of those results. He told me that RA generally doesn't affect the shoulders and he thought it was a muscle issue. I say Bah Humbug! I'm pretty sure it is RA because it is bilateral, but who am I? Just the patient, eh?

So, that is my update. I'm pretty miserable at the moment, but I know better times are around the corner! Hope everyone is doing well.

Phats

I hope the increases and additions to your meds help you...it's not fun feeling so miserable with so much pain.

Your doctor said RA doesn't usually affect the shoulders?? Oh I get shoulder pain a lot. Infact, that was the first sign of pain for me before I was dx'ed with RA.

Wishing you luck with humira!

Kelly

I get lots of really bad shoulder painPhats, I've had some really nasty flares in y shoulders. And they take so long to get back to normal. Anyway, I'm glad you went. I hope the Arava does the trick and you can avoid Humira altogether.When I was first dx'ed I couldn't lift my arms about my head to comb my hair.....defiantely have some shoulder involvement here.

Glad you had an appointment and your getting started on something to hopefully get you back on track. Good Luck! Hope you get some fast results. You've been misrable long enough.

Interesting the theories physicians have about where RA smacks down its brand. While my wrists and ankles are most affected, I too have had more than a bit of shoulder involvement.

I add my voice for feeling better soonest. Cheers, Shug Phats - well, I have to admit, I have always wondered why we didn't hear much from you about your RA and now I know why. That sucks not to be able to afford to get treatment. I hope you get some relief out of all of this, and my shoulders hurt too. Shoulders are a joint, right? Big huggles and you take care ~~ Cathy

I echo the shoulder involvement comments. What meds have you been on in the iterim?

Hope you feel better soon!

Good luck.

It's possible that you have osteoarthritis in your shoulders. It can also be extremely debilitating and painful. You can have both types and it can be very active in OA and RA at the same time.

I have both,as does one of my sisters, and my OA has caused me more deformity, pain and disability that the RA, so far. My rheumy says that my RA is obviously there, it is just lurking somewhere within my body, and we haven't been able to determine where yet.

Just a thought! Of course it could be RA or even a muscle problem. I'm just glad you are able to get treatment. A year is too long to go without treatment for anyone with a chronic illness.

Be well, Nini

I have always had shoulder involvment, mostly swelling, even when I was a kid. My shoulders would swell, especially after like playing with a ball and throwing a ball. My RD checks my shoulder joints when she does the joint assessment on me.

I am sorry to hear you have been so misrible. I hope the med kick in soon for you.

Much hugs to you!

My shoulders were the first joints involved with my RA. I was initially dx'd with tendonitis, but later, after cortisone shots did not provide lasting relief, my RD said my shoulder pain was definitely RA.
Hope you feel better soon!I've had a total shoulder replacement due to RA, so I know for SURE that it can and does affect your shoulders...............!!!! I get RA in my shoulders. It actually shows up on an MRI. I wasn't able to use my right arm. I was in too much pain to get to sleep. So I went to the ortho and got an MRI so I could get shots in my shoulder, it helped alot. [QUOTE=SnowOwl]I'm glad he's being conscientious with the meds, but it seems odd he thinks shoulder joints aren't as likely to be hit by RA. Not that muscular pain isn't significant but possible/probable RA involvement in the shoulder joints should be noted. My RD was particular about examining all joints, including the shoulders, in my initial exam/pain assessment. Also, aren't you a nurse? so you're not "just a patient", you do know a leetle something about physiology and illnesses, ehem. [QUOTE=Phatgirl2]

So, that is my update. I'm pretty miserable at the moment, but I know better times are around the corner! Hope everyone is doing well.

Phats

[/QUOTE]

Push for an MRI if the x-rays don't show anything on the shoulders - my docs say that shoulder issues often don't show up well on x-ray, but insurance companies usually like to do x-rays first and go to MRI only if necessary.
hey Phats... so sorry you're having this down time.. I hope things get better quickly...

It really doesn't matter a whole heckuva lot what causes the shoulder pain cause it is near impossible to sleep with...

best to you.

Thank you everyone for the well wishes. JSNM, I have been on nothing for almost a year. I actually felt good for a couple of months and initially thought I had been mis-diagnosed (even though I knew better). the lab work alone is so expensive, I didn't have a choice but to wait until I had insurance.

I know a lot of people have shoulder involvement as I have seen it discussed on the board. That is the one thing I don't like about my RD, he is very dismissive. We'll see what happens!

thanks again!

PhatsUpdate: RD called and said my test were all good! So far, only damage is showing up on MRI. He started me on 10 mg of Arava, which is the lowest dose possible. Typically, they start on a loading dose of 100mg, then decrease. He is being a bit too conservative for me, but we will see what the next visit shows.

PhatsHI Phats, sorry to hear you are not doing so good, my shoulders are always checked by my RD and he always marks them as puffy and tender. Arava worked for me but could not tolerate it, lived in the loo! Best of luck, hope you feel better soon, regards Janie. Phats...give your RD a link to this as its never too late to educate.

http://www.mydr.com.au/arthritis/rheumatoid-arthritis-joints-affected

I cant believe ANY Doctor would be so dumb as to say RA usually doesnt affect the shoulders. Mine were, and still often are, very painful. Hard to have faith in someone that dismisses a real ( for you) problem so lightly huh?

I am sorry you have not been doing so well, hopefully thats about to change.

ETA: An O to a to. lolol

LyndeeNZ2009-04-13 02:12:16Phats - you have to be relieved, and I bet that this past year has been an anxious one. Glad you have insurance again, could get a checkup and tests, and start treatment. Let us know how you do on the Arava. Congrats, Cathy
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