Date: 30.05.2010
From: Patsy
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Subject: Newly diagnosed & confused!!!!
Hi,I'm 41 and I've just been diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis by the rheumatologist and am confused as to whether or not it might go away.I've had joint inflammation in several joints for 5 months now after it came on suddenly. i've had scleritis in my eye for 10 yrs & iritis for 8 years previous to this, I know this can be linked to joint disease. I'm on methotrexate, arcoxia & prednisolone. My GP advised it may go away and never bother me again. Any advice would be gratefully received. Kind Regards
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Date: 30.05.2010
From: KayJay
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Subject: Re: Newly diagnosed & confused!!!!
Hi Patsy can't really say if it goes away. I was diagnosed with RA in March but never asked the Rheumie if it is permanent ? I thought it was anyway. You poor thing having Iritis my Mum has suffered with that from being quite young following an op on her eye. She used to be in agony with it during a flare up .Hope someone can specifically answer your question though ;0)
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Date: 31.05.2010
From: Sally
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Subject: Re: Newly diagnosed & confused!!!!
hi Patsy, I have seronegtive inflammatory arthritis. Mine came on very suddenly too. At first they thought it might have been a viral or reactive arthritis which do go away after time and they waited to put me on the methotrexate for that reason. I have been told that if one is to 'go into remission' it happens within the first two years but it isn't common. As far as I am aware scleritis and iritis can be linked to IA. The best thing is to ask your consultant or specialist nurse as they see dozens of cases and will be better placed to answer your question than the GP. I am coming up to a year now and no sign of it leaving me yet.
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Date: 31.05.2010
From: patsy
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Subject: Re: Newly diagnosed & confused!!!!
Thanks for your help. I did intend to ask the rheumatologist but my brain turned to mush once I was in front of her! I'll write the questions down for my next visit.
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Date: 02.06.2010
From: Sally
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Subject: Re: Newly diagnosed & confused!!!!
I always forget some vital question or another when I am in front of rheumy too, though I do write to him if need to know something and he's good about writing back!
xx
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Date: 02.06.2010
From: Lynn B
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Subject: Re: Newly diagnosed & confused!!!!
Hi Sally I think you must have a brilliant rheumy it takes mine all his time to look up at me! he asks how i am doing and then starts to talk to whoever else is in the room Grrr. tc.
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Date: 02.06.2010
From: Sally
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Subject: Re: Newly diagnosed & confused!!!!
Hi Lynn, he's alright but is retiring soon - don't know what the next one will be like!
tc xx
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Date: 05.06.2010
From: sabina
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Subject: Re: confused!!!!
Hi. I have been suffering from low grade fever, symmetrical joint pain (arthritis) in my hands, arthritis in my neck and spine. I feel really exhausted and sick as if I have a flu. There are days I just can't do anything and stay in bed. whoever It's been going on since January. Been to see specialists but they have not been able to diagnose anything. Curious to know if people who have RA had similar symptoms in the early stage?
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Date: 05.06.2010
From: Sally
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Subject: Re: Newly diagnosed & confused!!!!
Hi Sabina,I had low grade fever and flu symptoms before I suddenly got severely ill with every joint seizing up. It took a while to diagnose me as I am seronegative for RA. They diagnose on symptoms if your don't show up as having rheumatoid factor. I'm surprised they haven't considered that. Get a second opinion if you don't get anywhere.
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Date: 06.06.2010
From: sabina
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Subject: Re: Newly diagnosed & confused!!!!
thank you Sally for your reply. I have fever, symmetrical joint pain in both thumbs and sudden arthritis in my lower back, extremely tired, and very often flu like symptoms. Even have small nodules on my hands and this has been going on since January. Of course the RF in not high enough. I will be taking a second opinion. I hope you get better soon.
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Date: 07.06.2010
From: Sally
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Subject: Re: Newly diagnosed & confused!!!!
Hi Sabina, what do you mean by saying RF not high enough? I don't have any in my blood but have diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis based on my symptoms. Also from other blood tests - ESR, CRP etc. Sounds like you do need a 2nd opinion :)
xx
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Date: 08.06.2010
From: Sharon
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Subject: Re: Newly diagnosed & confused!!!!
Hi I was diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis in Feb 2009, started on Sulfasalazine in July 2009 and the pain subsided almost immediately. My rheumatoligist was quite happy for me to stop the medication at the start of this year. I was pain free for few months but unfortunatley the pains all came back a couple of months ago worse than ever. Im back on the medication and it is doing absolutely nothing for me this time.
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Date: 18.06.2010
From: Julie
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Subject: Re: Newly diagnosed & confused!!!!
Hi. I have just been diagnosed with seronegative inflammatory arthritis and started on sulfasalzine. 5 weeks in , the nausea and headaches settling from the medication but joints still a problem (although a steroid injection helped take a lot of back stiffness away)even though I am a GP and have access to medical information I still dont know a lot about what to expect from this diagnosis. I also dont much like being a patient!! and having to take regular medication! I find peoples reaction to hearing about my diagnosis hard to deal with as no one seems to have heard about the sero negative arthritis. even my medical friends seem a little unconcerned. this makes coming to terms with a potentially chronic condition a bit more difficult to come to terms with. is good to find other people who have what I have.
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Date: 18.06.2010
From: Sally
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Subject: Re: Newly diagnosed & confused!!!!
hi Julie, I've replied to your other post further down.
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Date: 24.11.2011
From: Daniela
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Subject: Re: Newly diagnosed & confused!!!!
Hi, Sabina, so sorry to hear that. My friend's Mom is suffering from arthritis in her lower back as well and she bought her a waist warmer to prtect and cover the lower back area. She was amazed how much it helped her by keeping that bit warm. She has got one as well as she is always cold. If you are interested I can ask for the website as she ordered them online as far as I remember.
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Date: 24.11.2011
From: Gillian
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Subject: Re: Newly diagnosed & confused!!!!
Hi Julie, I too have seronegative inflammatory arthritis and after being very poorly on Plaquenil I am not on Sulfasalazine. I have been told by my GP and Consultant that seronegative is a milder version of seropositive. My CRP is lower than the usual number when you have seropositive. Mine is currently 12 but does drop after steroid injection or steroid tablets. Just found out yesterday as well I have fibromyalgia when I saw the Consultant in clinic. Take care. Gillian
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Date: 24.11.2011
From: Gillian
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Subject: Re: Newly diagnosed & confused!!!!
I meant to say I am NOW on Sulfasalazine.
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Date: 24.11.2011
From: Shama
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Subject: Re: Newly diagnosed & confused!!!!
Hi,
I am new to this forum. I've been diagnosed with seronegative arthritis three months ago (only of my right ankle) and my CRP is just 1. I took sulphasalazine which made me ill & had a steroid injection which did nothing (before the diagnosis). I've been told to take methotrexate, but am petrified of taking it because of all the possible side effects. I've read some pretty scary stories too & also I guess I'm in denial that I have this condition. I'm just wondering whether anyone on methotrexate has noticed an improvement? Also, does anyone know whether methotrexate can eliminate seronegative arthritis altogether due to its less aggressive nature compared to positive arthritis? Also does seronegative arthritis develop into positive arthritis later on? I've also noticed that when I took antibiotics on two separate occasions it decreased the swelling & the pain. Is this possible? My consultant says this should not happen & is of no consequence. Sorry to be asking so many questions. Thank you
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Date: 25.11.2011
From: Gillian
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Subject: Re: Newly diagnosed & confused!!!!
Hi Shama, I too have seronegative RA and also fibromyalgia. I am currently on Sulfasalazine which seems to be helping. Methotrexate was the next choice is the Sulfasalazine didnt help. I was told by the consultant that they try the DMARDS in that order for seronegative. I did have Plaquenil first but I was very ill on that over the ten weeks I took it. Have you had a depo steroid injection? They can help but you are only allowed 3 a year. Worth a try if the consultant is willing, or even your GP will do them if you ask. Take care, Gillian
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Date: 25.11.2011
From: michala
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Subject: Re: Newly diagnosed & confused!!!!
was diagnosed in march tried methotrexate which im alergic to, also most of the pain meds as well using bu trans 30mg got dla tribunal on wednesday scared to hell of that, in agnony daily and dont know what to do with my self a bit depressed not seen the doctor for that whats the point of it anymore
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Date: 26.11.2011
From: shama
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Subject: Re: Newly diagnosed & confused!!!!
Thanks Gillian. I've not had that depo steroid injection. I will ask on my next appointment.
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