Update and more update | Arthritis Information

Too many things are happening too fast. I going for Bone Scan on June 4. What it is suppose to show or how it is going to help (bone scan). Waiting for MRI for the foot and ortho appointment. Rheumy started me on injectible mtx and added sulpha. She is adding it slowly. One week one tablet of sulpha. and increasing efvery week.

My right knee is swollen. Looks like a ball now. What u guys do which helps to take care of inflamation especially knee.

Veenu, I wouldn't worry too much about the bone scan, they may want that for a baseline for bone density. I am glad you are finally on something! Don't be too discouraged if it takes awhile for it to work. For my swollen knee, I like ice pacs! Keeping the leg up with a pillow just under the knee and a nice, cold ice pac... that works for me. I know others like heat. Honestly, when I get that bad, I hie off to the RD and get a big injection... like magic! Takes all the pain just about away by the next day!

I hope you get some good relief soon! You have suffered long enough! I just wanted to second what waddie says above... Her idea of the bone scan is probably right.. make sure you aren't losing density in your bones... and same deal for me w/ the knees.... give me ice.. put a soft pillow under my knee and relax.... alot..if that doesn't work.. call RD and get a cortisone shot... ahhhhh. feels better already

good luck!!

I like heat when I hurt and am swollen. Try both to see what works the best for you and good luck on your tests. [QUOTE=veenu]Too many things are happening too fast. I going for Bone Scan on June 4. What it is suppose to show or how it is going to help (bone scan). [/quote]
Veenu, you should really discuss testing and the whys and how comes with your physician at the time those tests are ordered.

If your doctor has ordered a bone scan you need to know that the test involves having a small amount of radioactive material into a vein and then after a lapse of a predetermined amount of time, up to several hours, a series of "pictures" are taken to determine bone metabolism using a Gamma camera to -see- how much of the radiotracer material collects in bones. The Gamma camera + radioactive material can also visualize occult (hidden) fractures.

However, IF your doctor has ordered a bone density scan, that is something else altogether. A bone density scan provides information on bone mass and requires no special preparation of injections.
[quote]...added sulpha. She is adding it slowly. One week one tablet of sulpha. and increasing efvery week.[/QUOTE]
Sulpha/sulfa, an antibiotic often used to treat urinary tract infections? Or sulphasalazine/sulfasalazine) most often referred to as a DMARD when used in RA? While that may sound like so much rhetoric, it is very important to know exactly what medications we take, what and why testing is being done, and to ask questions of our physicians to be certain we understand.

Best wishes, Shug

I agree that you should talk to your dr at the time the tests are ordered to know what the tests are ordered for. Be your own advocate!! It is way better than stressing over the unknown.

Phats