What type of arthritis do I have.. help!

[Pip_Hodge]

Thank you all for your responses - it makes me feel a whole lot better!

I got the results from my MRI scan last week and there are two problems which both leave me baffled but the doctor said he's refering me to a Neurologist to check for MS. Whether that means he thinks the pain is MS or whether I may have that also, who knows... one of the problems was 'Focal abnormalities in my cerebellar' has anyone heard of that? What does it mean? I didn't catch the other thing he said, a)Coz it sounded like gobledeegook and b)Was freaked out!

Went to see my Rheumatologist again yesterday who was as vague as ever - he just kinda shrugs his shoulders and says "Dunno what you have, here, have yet more pain killers..."... ho hum...

[MegHurts]

Gosh, I just found this board today and when I was reading your post, it was like you were telling my life story (almost).

Im 27 and about a year ago started noticing pain in my hands and wrists. Okay, yes I do alot on the computer at work and I was resolved that it was Carpal Tunnel. From there, my hands started becoming weak. Now I cant even make a fist anymore. My fingers are swollen and my knuckles are much bigger than they used to be.

Next came my feet. Back in November, I started noticing pain in my feet. Walking hurt. Standing hurt. Touching them hurt. Nothing seems to help. I was waiting for insurance to approve me so I could go to the doctor.

January of this year, I saw a doctor who diagnosed me wrong. Last week I went to a wonderful hand specialist who told me that diagnosis was incorrect (much to my relief) and told me that I have arthritis. I have an appointment with a rheumatologist next friday and will see what they come up with.

Ive cried myself to sleep so many times over the last few months that I dont know what to do anymore. I just want to feel normal again! Like you, Ive tried Celebrex, Vioxx, Naproxen, Relafen, Amatriptyline, etc. None of them really helped. Right now Im taking whatever I can get my hands on that will make me feel better. Getting up in the morning is sometimes so hard and so painful I dont even want to get up. Laying in bed is sometimes the only relief I get.

I hope that you are feeling good today. I dont really know what else to say, I just wanted to post that you arent alone! Im in the same boat as you.

[Pip_Hodge]

Hey thanks for your post! Pip

[Please note that posting or requesting personal contact details is not permitted on these boards. Thanks, mod3]

[This message has been edited by moderator3 (edited 07-27-2002).]

[wiley]

Have you heard of Psoriatic Arthritis? My husband was diagnosed with it and his symptons were similar to yours. I checked for more information on the internet because I had not heard of it. He is taking 6 tablets of Methotrexate once weekly and after the first 5 weeks he began to experience some relief. He is experiencing less pain and stiffness than at the onset of this nasty condition. He also takes Ibuprofen regularly. His joints were x-rayed and their is no damage there. His joints were swollen and hot before the Methotrexate. Strangely his first sympton was a swollen, painful, hot toe on his right foot. He had several trips to his MD before they finally sent him to a specialist. His blood work showed nothing unusual. Thank goodness for the specialist who made the diagnosis on his second visit. He also must have his blood monitored every two weeks while taking the Methotrexate. I hope you will find this information useful. The best of luck to you.

[Karon]

Your condition sounds very similar to what I had. I was very healthy and very fit. One day 5 years ago at work my one hand started to cramp. By 7:00 pm that night it looked as if someone painted it red and blew it up like a balloon. From that day on it hit all of my joints.. Every night my husband would pack me in bed with ice packs and hot water bottles. Though I continued to have an overall soreness (I felt like an eggshell) If I bumped into anything on any part of me it hurt terribly. I’d get terrible flarups in an assortment of joints every day. It was always much worse at night. I could barely function days. I could have several flare ups at one time in 2 toes on my right foot, my left shoulder, my right knee, my ankle of my left foot and a hip. By noon the next day it would change joints. Since nothing showed in my blood my doctor would say “let’s just wait and see”. The first specialist I saw said “Plaquenil” my doctor refused saying it could make me blind and of course I was terrified. After reading up a lot my husband and I decided it was worth the risk since I really had no life. Before the Plaquenil I was on the max Indocid a day along with a sup. anti-inflamatory. My stomach was sooooo sick and I was dizzy always. I would get up at 2 or 3 am to eat my cereal to take the indocid so I could lay down for a couple more hours before the day started. But I continued taking this med until I started the Plaquenil twice per day. Five weeks to the day I had a good day! The good days became more and more frequent as the weeks passed. The specialist changed the Indocid and sup. to Celebrex and prescribed prednisone for flareups. It’s been a frightening experience but I came through it. Fear and pain are a terrible combination. I continue to take 1 Plaquenil a day and usually 2 Celebrex and best of all I have a life. Tx Karon