Can it appear other places??? | Arthritis Information

Please forgive my ignorance, but I am fairly new to arthritis. I had sciatica a year and a half ago and they found arthritis in my back. Several months later I had the same problem in my neck and shoulder and arthritis also showed up on the x-ray in that part of my body. Just three months ago I went to the podiatrist because of long term problems with my feet and toe joints and again, arthritis was discovered in my feet and toe joints. Lately my lower arms have been kind of achy. Today I picked up a friend's two year old, who is actually on the small side and when I went to put her down I nearly dropped her when I got her close to the ground. The pain was pretty intense and my arms felt so weak. Does this sound like arthritis in my arms as well? Is it typical for this stuff to affect different parts of the body like this?

TIA!

Nancy

You betchya.

It can pretty much affect al your joints.

Welcome Nancy. What sort of arthritis have you been dx'ed with?

It is an everywhere disease, unfortunately. It is systemic, meaning it can affect not only joints, but things like your heart, lungs, eyes, nerves. That's why a flare makes you so sick and hurt so much. Your immune system is in overdrive throughout your body and unchecked, it is causing damage.

Over time, partly because of the illness and partly because we start to not use them, our muscles and tendons can weaken. This puts more stress on our weak joints. PT can really help you at this point or at least a gentle exercise program like the Arthritis Foundation has. You can check them out at www.arthritis.org. That might help you rebuild the strength in your arms.

Nancy, the arm weakness could also be from other, or secondary, causes as well, so you should get it checked out. Extremity weakness can be a sign of nerve damage and can be a result of spinal cord problems. Check it out so you know what you're working with. Thank you all so much! I guess I will start with my family doctor and go from there. I think I am also going to ask if I should see a rhumatologist. I have been treated by a chiro for my lower back and neck and a podiatrist for the arthritis in my feet and toe joints. My fingers are sometimes painful too, so I guess its time to check it all out.

Nancy

Nancy~

I'm not sure it's too good of an idea to be using a chropracter (however you spell that) until you know for certain what is wrong. Talk to your doctor about that. Unless it's someone you totally trust; sometimes these folks can cause more harm than good.

Hope you're feeling better soon.

Nancy,
I agree with everyone else. Best to get it under control so you can at least delay the inevitable. I put off treatment for 12 months thinking i could just deal with it, in hind sight i was my own worst enemy with that sort of tactic. You have to look after yourself every way you can.
Hope you get some results.
Thanks again guys! I really haven't been to the chiropractor since about two years ago when I had the sciatica. He did seem to do a good job and had come highly recommended from a lot of folks in town, however the relief I was needing was not happening fast enough. I could hardly walk and pre-planning at school was starting in just a few days. He is the one though who read the x-rays and told me there was arthritis there. My GP saw arthritis in x-rays done of my neck about a year later and just recently I started seeing the pod because of my feet. I know I will have to have the toe surgery. Neither the cortisone injection, nor the anti-inflamatories worked and the damage is already done. I have bone spurs around the toe joint. Now though that I am feeling the pain in my forearms I am thinking it might be time to see a specialist who specifically treats arthritis. My DH was telling me today that he doesn't want me to play around with this anymore. I teach kindergarten and have two teenagers and a seven year old at home so I have to get this pain under control.

I am sooooooooooooooooo glad I found this board. You all are a wealth of great informmation and understanding!

Thanks again!
Nancy

We're glad you're here and I'm glad you didn't take offense to teh chiro comment. I've just heard so many things I wasn't thrilled with about them. Honestly I've never been to one; but my RD doesn't recommend it.

Your Husband it right! The sooner you get on a regular treatment plan the better you'll fair long term.