Showing erosions on joints hands/feet?

[Prairie]

What happens when joints start with erosions???....what's the next step...?

[allanah]

Getting the RA better control to prevent any further deterioration I would think xx

[Prairie]

Thanks for your reply I had my appointment today with consultant and we talked about lots of other issues..that I didn't ask about these erosions. X

[Hidden]

Hello there,

I worry that rheumatologists are too accepting about erosions, or at least give that impression sometimes - they see them all the time I suppose. I try to hang on to my outrage about joint erosions ..... no matter how commonplace they are they are a sign that the drugs are not doing the job they're intended to do and joint damage is potentially disabling as well as painful etc. That's the line I've always taken at rheumy appointments & I'm currently building up to being even more emphatic about my feelings & concerns at my next appointment.

I've been in your shoes, I'm sure loads of us have .... this (mini?) bombshell is dropped but then there's no apparent link to what happens next. It may be that your rheumy factored in your joint damage in deciding how to proceed but just didn't make that clear. I think the most important thing is whether you feel that your rheumy is doing everything he or she can to protect your joints from further damage.

If you feel that everything was left up in the air then why not phone the rheumy department & explain your concerns? Rheumatology appointments are quite complex situations really and they don't come round that often so I don't think you should be expected to keep stumm for 3 months or however long it is.

Luce x

[Prairie in reply to Hidden]

Hi Luce I should have explained the bigger picture on my question about joint erosions ??? I had to come off methotrexate few weeks ago due to nasty side effects....also other dmards which ive badly reacted too in the past. Anyway my consultant is desperate to try me on something different but couldn't prescribe anything straight away as I have other health issues that desperately need checking out first. He did lots of other blood tests and I'm waiting to see a neurologist as I've developed other health problems...so my consultant was baffled and very concerned as to what to put me on...He did explain I have to be put on some r a drug as soon as possible but he couldn't rush into giving me something yesterday until i get these new blood tests back. He normally gives me a steroid injection but again he said my body was too weak at this moment in time to try me on something new. my weight has dropped from 8 and half stone to 7 and half as my digestive system isn't working properly...and the muscles that push the food down aren't working like they should?? not quite sure whats causing these other health issues so now looking into muscle diseases. I have secondary sjorgrens but my consultant thinks I may have something else going on?? He's also testing me for Addison disease??Hopefully I will find out soon what else is attacking my body and start my new drug when all these tests come back. my consultant mentioned the erosions and said i desperately need r a drug but until i have these other tests looked at I have to wait...It was on my mind about joint erosions this is why i mention it on here..sorry this is quite a complicated blog but like my consultant said yesterday I'm a complicated patient to treat at this moment in time... Thanks for your good advice take care big hugs

[Terrpist in reply to Prairie]

Hope you get positive answers soon

[Prairie in reply to Terrpist]

Thanks so much

[Hidden]

Ah! I get it now. So sorry to hear that you are having such a difficult time of it. My immediate thought was that if I was off RA drugs I'd be wondering what I had to do - or not do - to minimise joint damage. I do see a physio from time to time & she gives me really specific advice about what I can & can't get away with.

All the best to you - here's hoping that the picture becomes much clearer soon & that there are some relatively simple remedies. xx

[Prairie in reply to Hidden]

Thanks again for your thoughtful reply