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Date: 19.08.2009
From: vicky

Subject: joint damage

Hi,

Sorry posting again! I know its silly but im wondering is anyone can tell me what they can do about joint damage? Is it a fact that there is higher risk of needing a joint placement op?
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Date: 19.08.2009
From: Jill

Subject: Re: joint damage

the correct meds can dampen down the damage.... and some goood painkillers can help with the pain... but once its gone beyond repair, replacement is the only option, unlesss u eant to live with the constant pain of course!....we prob all have some joint damage if we had our whole body xrayed etc.... we can have pain in a joint, but not necessairly damaged enufff to have a replacement...hope that kinda helps.... difficult to answer soz x
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Date: 19.08.2009
From: Lynne

Subject: Re: joint damage

With you on that one jill. We will all hVe damage somewhere or other. Wrist splints help especially if your doing any work ie house work. Etc thet reduce the pain and strain. You can also get night splints to support your wrists to reduce the pain while you sleep.
My feet are also damaged. My arches were falling in my feet causing great pain not just in my feet but up my leg. This through my posture squewiff so I got pain in my back. They sent me to see a biomechanics person who made me some special insoles for my shoe. They helped enormusly. So there are options to try before surgery. Take care
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Date: 19.08.2009
From: sharon

Subject: Re: joint damage

i have the wrist splints for through the day and they help alot tend to wear only one most of time on left wrist as three of my fingers are numb on that hand dont know why but found i couldnt sleep with the night resting splint as it seemed to really annoy me and make my hands ache more than usual but i really do think they are good also theres lots of differant kinds of cutlery out there if you have problems with wrist for chopping stuff up just to make life that little bit easier for yourself and cuts down on the pressure u put yourself under lol
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Date: 20.08.2009
From: Lynne

Subject: Re: joint damage

Hi vicky just thought I'd add ..it's not silly to worry about what effects your illness can have on your body. Especially when you are new to arthritis. You worry about everything. It's quite normal think we alll go through that at some stage. Us peeps on here are quite happy to hear from you and your worries. We understand what you are going through. and there is always someone in here who is always willing to listen and offer support and advice if required. Take care lynne xxxx
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Date: 20.08.2009
From: Monica

Subject: Re: joint damage

Hi Vicky
I have joint damage through arthritis like most on here. The doctors always tell you not to worry, but you cannot help it. I have different pains that come into my head, then it can start behind or in my ears, then my legs go funny with numbness. I could go on and on. Thats why i find this site and the people very friendly and useful, because you get to know more, also the fact you are not alone, or feel you are the only person who has this. Very comforting forum to be on. Take care.
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Date: 22.08.2009
From: Kirsty

Subject: Re: joint damage

Can joint damage only show up in an X-Ray?
In that case, what's an ultra-sound used for?
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Date: 22.08.2009
From: Monica

Subject: Re: joint damage

Hi Kirsty
Ultrasound has the potential to detect degeneration of articular cartilage.
Hope this helps. Keep Well
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Date: 22.08.2009
From: jill

Subject: Re: joint damage

Monica well said...ultra sounds r gr8 wyas to fiond out the tru damage...im assuming u mean MRI Scans....Kitsry Hi there, ive been away on hols, so a bit behind all the posts, will take ages to read them all, makes me go dizzy, so sorry to ask this...how long have u had this problem? what meds r u currently taking? and if yur young, dont let the docs fob u offf with waiting and asking u to wait for mo nths and months... mine beganm in my 20s...now a lot lot older lol... remember there r the ANTI Tnf meds that r given once everything else has been excluded med wise.... dont let this drag on for u, make sure u complain enuff to get the gr8 meds that r out ther to stop the degeneration of this nasty disease...take notes, and a m8 with u when u visit your rhummy, ASK questions, and ask about the Meds that most of us r on.... it will dampen down the damage ok

Love Jill x
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Date: 22.08.2009
From: Kirsty

Subject: Re: joint damage

Hi Jill,
No problem asking :)
It all started off with Raynauds Syndrome in December/January but started getting a bit worse and my fingers started to swell up along with my ankles and knees and I couldn't bend them properly. My doctor put me on Diclofenac, Nifedepine and Paracetamol.

also...very strange but the rheumy was interested that I have rashes on my hands that seem to come out in sunlight. I felt like an idiot telling him and handing him the photo.

Blood tests (about a million and one) were fine, heart scans were fine.

Had my first visit with the Rheumy 4th August who took tonnes of notes and did a physical with me oooooing and ouching a bit. Had X Rays on my hands and feet and although my fingers are bent, the bones were fine. They seem to be bent at the joints. The Rheumy put me on Naproxen which seems to be okay at the moment, but not 100%. He's said it's RA, but 'has the right to change his mind' after I've had ultrasounds done on my hands and feet.

I didn't really know what to ask but he said if it is inflammation it will require long term drugs with funny side effects - which scared me a bit.

Still waiting for the Ultrasound appointment. Rheumy said in about 4-6 weeks from August 4th. Heard nothing yet.

It is concerning them a bit because of my age; 18 and my b/p was sky high.

xxx
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Date: 22.08.2009
From: Jill

Subject: Re: joint damage

oK u CAN RING THE ULTRA SOUND dept and ask when u r next to on the list..... I have Inflamation arthritis... even with R.a. its a long haul, no matter what type u have..... But u can have the best Meds offered to u.... I didnt get them at first, but do now......forget the side affects Kirsty....the side affects of this disease is far greater, than the side affects.... Lynne and me r on MTX and Enbrel...so ask us ok.....my side affects have beeen little...But I do suffer from nasty fatigue regularly.....do not worrry about side affects ok..... Meds will help big time ok... never worrry....if u do, come find ua, your new m8s ok.... x
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Date: 22.08.2009
From: Kirsty

Subject: Re: joint damage

Thank you :)
Means a lot.
:D
xxx
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Date: 22.08.2009
From: val h :-)

Subject: Re: joint damage

u r one of us we love having u here u make us smile and that better than pain killers
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Date: 22.08.2009
From: J

Subject: Re: joint damage

fankooo Val, Dittto x
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Date: 23.08.2009
From: Sue Bevan

Subject: Re: joint damage

Hi Vicky,

I have joint damage in my knees due to RA, it got so so bad when I last went to see my Rheumy I asked if amputation was an option (that made them sit up and listen but thats how I felt) that was in march.

3 weeks ago i had my right knee replaced (i'm only 39) the first 3-4 days were very very hard, but now it's muscle pain not joint pain its very stiff and i have to work at getting it to bend.

Anyway enough waffling Joint replacement has so far worked for me, I know its early days and everyone is different and it may not work for them, but at the mo personally I feel that it was the best thing that i could have done.

Take Care

Sue xxxxx
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Date: 23.08.2009
From: Kirsty

Subject: Re: joint damage

How long were you in hospital for Sue?
Glad things are better for you now :)
xxx
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Date: 25.08.2009
From: Sue Bevan

Subject: Re: joint damage

Hi Kirsty,

I was in for 9 days, I would have been home sooner but I couldn't get my knee to bend very much, between 70 & 80 degrees compared to the recommended 90 degrees, I'm getting there slowly.
At least I have one less painful joint still feet, ankles, shoulders, wrists etc to go LOL.
Take Care.
Suexx
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Date: 26.08.2009
From: Kirsty

Subject: Re: joint damage

9 days?! Crikey! How did you cope?! I would have gone crazy if that was me.
xxx
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Date: 26.08.2009
From: val h :-)

Subject: Re: joint damage

kirsty got feeling u would be sneeking out after couple of days we all different and take different amount of time to get things healing
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Date: 26.08.2009
From: Lynne

Subject: Re: joint damage

Hi all When I was in hospital having my hip done, there was a chap who had his knee done and he was out in two days. It a a record breaker for the hospital
like sue says it depends if you can bend you knee to a certain degree. Guess it's different for evertyone.
Hope your all well xx
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Date: 31.08.2009
From: Sue Bevan

Subject: Re: joint damage

Hi Kirsty,
Sorry that I haven't replied sooner I don't manage to get on the computer everyday.
It wasn't too bad actually I was in so much pain for the first few days that I started to wonder how on earth I was going to cope at home ever again. 99% of the nurses were great, some of them came and had a little chat, which was lovely and I had so much pyshio to do that most of the days whizzed by. The hardest thing was not being at home with my little girl & husband.
Sue XX
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Date: 31.08.2009
From: Kirsty

Subject: Re: joint damage

That's nice when they have a chat to you :)
Are you feeling better now?
xxx
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Date: 31.08.2009
From: jill

Subject: Re: joint damage

A local women at our hospital had a double hip replacement and was out in one day!! my m8 was out the following day, wls have been same day, but her op was l8 afternoon.....they use new less invasive, smalller toools, which help the recovery process....
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