I seen my rheumatolgist today he said he thinks i fit mostly into the pattern of arthritis caused by a viral infection he is hopeful it will go away eventually.. my question is have any of you ever had this happen if so how bad did it get b4 it got better and how long did it last? theres still a cahnce its RA i still hope its not

Moonchild,

Im right there with you. I find out on the 8th if mine is post-streptococcyl (sp?). If it is, then my rheumatologist said my treatment would be 1-2 years as it "takes its course" otherwise if its RA then it will be a lifelong battle.

Im on the Prednisone and its working already! Did he put you on anything like this? I only have 8 more days worth of it and will most likely be put on something else. But right now, I feel better than Ive felt in months. Im able to walk around without hobbling and my fingers are even starting to straighten out a little although my knuckles are still really swollen and sore. But each day Im on it, it makes me feel better and Im starting to really see how bad I felt now that Im feeling somewhat better.

I hope for you that your case is the a virus-induced case too. It would be wonderful to be "over" this eventually and not have to worry about it again.

Can I ask what your symptoms are? How long has your case been going on?

You're in my thoughts & prayers....

Meg

well i havent had symptoms as long as you at all though the pain is spreading rapidly. i can trace my first joint pain from july 11th and in the last few weeks i have had pain in all of my finger joints elbows, toes ankles and now my knees. it is the worst in my knees and fingers. im on 15 mg prednisone a day and it helps my hands alot it hasnt gotten to my knees much but maybe it will??? does this sound too fast for you to be RA? i hope it is.. anyway thx for responding

Try taking some Tylenol with the Prednisone. Im doing this too (because its the only thing I can take while on the Prednisone) and it seems to take away any left over aches that the Prednisone isnt helping (like a pinched nerve in my hand). That might help ease your knee pain as well.

You might also try soaking in a tub or using a heating pad. I recently bought one and I sleep with it now because it feels so good on my achy feet! Hot tubs are good too, but then I just want to go jump in the pool (and thats out)!!

My rheumatologist mentioned this (and my mom bought me one to try) but he mentioned a hand therapy wax machine. So now I 'dip' my hands in hot wax five times each night and then sit with them wrapped up in plastic bags for about 10 minutes and wow! They usually feel really good when I take the wax off again and my hands are getting smoother, lovely if only I could wear rings again. But I think the machine is helping my hands.

Have you tried those disposable heat packs that I think are called 'wraps'?? You can buy them at the drug store and wrap em around your knee. Perhaps these will help when you need relief most.

Hope things start to get a little better for you. I know that the Prednisone takes 48 hours to start working and then each day it builds up in your system and so hopefully each day you will slowly start to feel a little better. But Ive been on it a week and yesterday wasnt such a good day for me, but today I seem to be okay. Each day is hit or miss.

Hang in there! im right there with you!

Meg

ya today my knees are pretty sore after work.. it sux that my job is on my feet i dunno what ill do when this gets worse.. but if i cant work i get no benefits then i cant get any good meds lol. so i have to hang in there... i think i need some good pain killers or somethin hehe.. but seriously thx for writing i hope we both get better soon wish we could wake up and have the pain be gone for good :-)

MoonChild,

I am sorry to hear of your problems. Your post touched me as I have had Reiters Syndrome for 25 years. This is a viral induced arthritis. Most people with this can recover within a few months, but there are some of us that will not. My message to you is not to give into the disease no matter what it is. I have lived with mine and untill about 5 years ago,still led an active and productive life. Some points in my life were difficult because of the pain and damage of the disease but dont ever letit win. I refuse to let is get the best of me.

I agree with willowman...try not to think of this a s being temporary...as it may cause you to not work on some of the prevention methods needed to live with increasing syptoms. But don't give up that it will go away or work itself through either. Prepare for the worst/hope for the best...regardless of how the arthritis kicked in to begin with...

Paraffin baths are great ...my hands/feet especially are particularly affected and this is so soothing. The additional benefit is softer/supple skin. The meds I use "suck" all the moisture out of my skin and my feet dried out so badly they "cracked" and bled. The paraffin treatments helps significantly. My swollen hands/joints also felt better...pain reduction after treatment. I use it before bed so I can sleep longer/better. The meds don't work well for sleeping without making me all fuzzy in the head and grouchy. I was on 15mg of prednisone, 25/50 mg Vioxx, and 17.5mg <ethytrexate...with a bit of Tylenol 3 periodically. Now that I'm running with REMICADE...I've reduced the prednisone down to 7.5mg, the vioxx down to 25 as needed (still need it at night most days though) and rarely additional tylenol. The meth is the same for now. I still have lotsa fluid in the joints and feet, but now I can try to get back to work hoping to find something that allows me to move around betwwen sessions with the computer work as "sitting" sets of/increased the edema/swelling. I have to keep moving (which adds to the fatigue)...OYE! Hang in!