This is something I can never seem to get a straight/clear answer on from any of my rheumys (I've had 3 due to moving). My hands, feet, ankles and shoulders hurt almost constantly. I haven't had a pain free day in so long I don't even know what that is like anymore. I've had RA since 2001 and it was mild at first, but after catching fifth's disease from my son it went from a few days a month of hurting to everyday. I was on Prednisone for awhille and that did help the pain (never went away though), but went off it last October and have gotten worse. Trying new meds etc, but I'm still in pain! Anyone else like this? I feel like something should show up on x-rays due to the pain I have, but so far nothing...just trying to figure all this out. And I do have Fibro, but that pain is different, more of a burning pain than the stabbing pain I associate with RA. Anyone have any suggestions? been through this themselves? Sometimes I feel like I'm going crazy because the pain is always there, but the dr's don't seem to quite understand it. Have to stop typing now as my hands are starting to lock up!
no real help here for you. other than to say that i am the same
way concerning fibro pain vs ra pain. neither is fun but for some
reason i can tolerate the stabbing pain better. sorry i wasn't
more help.
hugs, wayney
gimpymama: You are not alone. I also have been suffering with RA (at least that is my diagnoses) since I was four but I as of yet had an x-ray that shows anything and I am 43. I just have immense aching and sharp pains in my joint areas; ankles, knees, hips, wrists, elbows, shoulders, hands and feet. I take mtx and prednisone and soon will be changing to embrel or remicade. Like you, I don't understand why my x-rays don't show anything that supports my diagnoses and that I believe makes it really hard. So far, the only test that supports my complaints of pain is a higher than normal sed rate.
(((((((((((((((((((((((((gimpymama)))))))))))))))))))))))))) )))))))))))))
Here is a big hug for you. I am sorry you have been in so much pain, have you been having alot of stress? That doesn't help any and how have you been sleeping? If it is like me not worth a crap. I just want you to know to not feel alone we understand and are here for you. Take care.
And to Wayney - some days I can deal with the stabbing pain better, other days it's the burning, sorry you have that too
To Cristene I'm sorry you've had this since you were so young, and I usually only show a slightly elevated sed rate even when my fingers are so stiff and swollen they won't move. Makes you wonder some days....
Thank you for the hug meme - back at you
And Rana it does help to know that about the MRI, x-rays etc and to know that it took the arthoscopy to show some damage, sorry about the shot in the wrists - ouch! Just what you needed more pain to deal with.
My x-rays have never shown anything either, and the pain is constant, and on a scale of 1 - 10 (10 being worst), I'd say it's at least a 9. My hands, feet, knees, elbows, pelvic area, neck, lower back, etc. Seems like everywhere. And there is swelling. But nothing shows on x-rays. The only proof the RD or doc have ever given me is the elevated sed rate, and the swelling. I also have the Fibro, and the pain from that is different. Some days I don't know which is worse.
Cris
It's so funny that u chose this topic cuz all this time i thought i was the weird one. I have had x-rays on my knees, hands, and wrist and they have all shown nothing. As a matter of fact the only real thing my doc was able to point 2 was a positive blood test and the fact the my fingers were very swollen. My new RD just ordered some more blood test and a bone scan (which im not even sure what that is since ive never had a bone scan). I'm having it all done next Monday. I let u know how it turns out. Maybe this round of test will prove that im not a complete nutcaseGimpymama, I too had Fifth's Disease (Parvo B-19) that set this whole thing going. And I also have only very tiny erosions that show on my x-rays. It makes it so frustrating!! Wouldn't it be nice if the rheumies could experience our pain?
Hi Folks,
I don't know if this may help, but I've read somewhere that a person who is seronegative, has RA has a lower risk of damage, than a person who is seropostive. I'm one of those unfortunate ones who is seropositive, and has tons of joint deformities, and damage....It just might be a blessing in disguise to be seronegative, although pain still remains with both.
Blessings,
Vergie
When I was first diagnosed with RA, my rheumatoid factor was high. But when I last had it checked, which was last July when I was told the RA was out of remission, my factor was normal. Can that happen? Well, obviously it can, since it did. Oh, I just get so confused about all of these blood tests sometimes. I can't wait to get back to the RD this month with all of my questions. Hopefully I won't end up with more questions then I start with.
Cris
It's interesting what you say about x-rays. I have had RA for one year, and the only x-rays ever done where of my hands, when I first started having symptoms. Since then, my fingers and toes have become very swollen, and I keep thinking that perhaps my rheumy should do x-rays, but she keeps saying that the x-rays may not show anything, and that she will continue to treat me based on how I feel. I kept thinking that if I had x-rays done, I could see what damage is actually happening--but based on what you have said, maybe that is not the case.I went to a see an orthopedic hand surgeon before the rheumatologist. X-rays appeared normal, which was a shock to me b/c I KNEW how much pain I was in. The rheumy told me it is normal to have good x-rays early in the disease process. Not fair to have so much pain and nothing to SHOW for it though, right? LOL :) Love, Juliahi wish someone would tell my hands i'm supposed to have less risk of damage