Can you have RA and also osteoarthritis at the same t... - NRAS
Can you have RA and also osteoarthritis at the same time.
In a word YES, I say that because I have had the OA well before the RA diagnosis, some one will give you the ins and out of it all because they definitely know heaps more than me lol and it always makes great reading and learning, I always try to learn from from answers questions receive .
Philip
Hi Philip, thanks I to was diagnosed with OA many years before, but although I get treatment for the RA, certain joints are still hurting so that must be the OA I suppose. I also find peoples comments on here very helpful . Many thanks
I had CS diagnosis when RD was diagnosed & have the beginnings of osteoarthritis in my hands which has happened relatively recently, 5 years after RD diagnosis. At my last Rheumy appointment it was noted but not acted upon, the SpR just said that it wasn't inflammatory arthritis but osteoarthritis.
I started with arthritis when I was 24.... later it all turned to OA, then about 4 years ago diagnosed with RA... age 63 now... such a shame the RA drugs don't take away the oa pain too, lol
Oh I so agree. At my last Rheumy appointment it was referred to as just the pain of oa & of no interest to him! I also wish the RD drugs would take away the pain. Anyone had a positive reaction by their Rheumy re some form of treatment or pain relief for OA or even referral to someone else in that field?
Unfortunately, the oa is just treated by painkillers and antiflamatory pills, and when at a certain stage its time to think operations. I have had a r.total knee replacement. Sometimes I think my OA nurse forgets my oa pain, and she moans because on abatacept It should be taking away my ra pain...it does, I tell her the pain is oa...but I sometimes feel that I dont get listened to fully
I am so pleased other users of this site can all talk about these issues as I have both OA and RA and the RA specialist makes no reference to the OA and pain. The GP just dismisses it as wear and tear, my xray of my shoulder was shown to have an impingement my GP said ref you to physio and when you see your RA specialist next week he will probably make an appointment with orth surg. I was pleased, finally I will get something done I thought... but RA spec said nothing wrong with the x ray and then gave me a steroid injection in my shoulder. The pain relief was for just over a week, now paining again, as my job is aggravating the joint. What do you believe ? . Two differences of opinion and in the mean time I am no better. Any one else have similar experiences.
Yes I've got both OA & sero negative RA.
My rheumy says that there will be many definitions of various arthritis soon. He says that I also have inflammatory arthritis.
He did say that the treatment is the same for both although obviously when damage is done by OA there is pain.
I had a hand scan done last year & as the Dr was going over the joints she saying "RA; OA: effusions:" It did confirm my diagnosis of RA so I was quite pleased really that I wasn't making it up!
I've had both knees replaced (I'm just 61) & have had various problems with other joints like tennis & golfers elbow requiring surgery.
It all seems to be interconnected.
Hi Pauline, I thank you for that, you have exactly the same diagnosis as me the first person I have come across, my knee is always swollen and so is my shoulder and as yet, have had no surgery. They dont appear to want to give me scans. I am sorry you have had surgery on your knees, but has it made them better. I am fifty yrs old and I wonder how long it will be before I get a scan. The first GP said a scan wont show anything but did give me the x ray. I wonder why a scan wont show anything or is it cost , does anyone know.
As I understand it, inflammatory arthritis can cause osteoarthritis. I hope saying this doesn't contravene rules about giving medical advice - I've been attending a course for inflammatory arthritis sufferers at the hospital I attend and this was clearly stated during the course. The physio giving a talk explained that joints that are affected long-term by RA, PsA etc. are under stress in various ways that can lead to osteoarthritis. But of course it's possible to have RA or PsA and also to have osteoarthritis that is not connected to the inflammatory disease, just as anyone can get OA.
I would like more knowledge and understanding about 'secondary osteoarthritis' i.e. OA that's caused by injury or other conditions because if that's what happens it's yet another important reason for treating RA or PsA effectively. Sometimes I think we suspect the OA has come about as a result of our inflammatory arthritis but are told that as it's 'only OA' there's nothing to worry about. The way I see it, any damage is bad news.
postle, hope you don't mind me asking but would you be kind enough to share any further information you learn on your course as, as I mentioned in my replies & some others , OA seems to be mostly dismissed. I want to be armed with as much info as possible for my Rheumy appointment at the end on next month.
Thanks.
Well the course is called 'taking control of inflammatory arthritis' so it's a bit of everything and next week's session is the last one. OA may not come up again. However when the physio showed the image of a joint affected by RA and explained how & why OA might well set in, she asked if that was what had happened to me. I said that did seem to be the case and just asked her to repeat what she'd said - I wanted the connection doubly confirmed because this has been a big issue for me.
I think my rhemy does accept that joints in which cartilage loss and osteophyte formation (all the OA signs) have happened quickly are secondary to PsA and that this is yet another reason to try to get my PsA under control. I haven't really gone into it with him though, it's such a flipping minefield that I'm still a little wary. I will message you with a few more details and some links if I can find them. I absolutely get where you are coming from.
Thanks postle, just noticed. Will reply.
I have only just come across your comments whilst looking for advice re hip pain. I had an accident in 1961 which resulted in my pelvis being tipped at an angle. At the time was told there was no treatment, but that I would get OA in the joint. Well I did! 3 years ago I developed RA. I was told by my rheumy that RA does not attack hips, but reading on this site seems to contradict this. I also have sciatica in the same side. I have seen a ortho consultant who agrees I have moderate to severe damage and he would consider hip replacement, but to wait till September to see how RA drugs affect coping. At the moment I am confused as to what to do, not sure what is causing the pain.
Thank you, thats interesting
Yes, it is poss. To have both RA and OA together. I have suffered OA for many years, knees, spine, neck etc. then 7 years ago I had a severe virus and within four weeks of it was totally struck down with RA. For me, I can tell the difference between the pain of each. The RA has completely floored me!! The worst thing being the total exhaustion that came with it. At the moment I am a bit stuck as far as treatment concerned. My rheumy is blaming my OA, and I am seeing two ortho. Consultants who are blaming my RA, so basically I am not getting any help at present. I was booked to have knee surgery and also wrist surgery, but consultants will not perfom ops until I get on better drug for RA, to which my rheumy disagrees, meanwhile my suffering goes on. My wonderful GP has now referred me to a new rheumy in another county and I am waiting on an appointment. Having OA and RA does makes things more complicated I am sure. Lynda x
I have had R/A for approx. 4 years my medication is "Simponi golimumab" (monthly injections) wonderful pain free, following a period with severe back pain I had a MRI scan that diagnosed O/A in the spine the consultant informed me that it was operable but I would have to stop all medications for at least 1 month prior to any operation and at least 2/3 after the operation, to me this is not an option because the pain and other other effects of R/A would be devastating, so I think I have to put up with the back pain. If anybody can offer any solutions I would be very grateful. I shall be very interested to learn of your progress and wish you good luck.
Unfortunately, yes. I have both and it's so difficult to tell which is causing pain, swelling, discomfort etc. but add them together and there's rarely a pain free day! Happy days l.o.l.
certainly can I have both. I am not getting much help with RA not sure what I am supposed to do when I am in flare up. my body wants to do stuff but pain is bad and i hurt more if I try to pick things up and carry stuff??
Covid plus flu jab at the same time?
Link between treatment for RA and osteoarthritis
Nobody mentioned RA also drives you insane!!!!!
Have you got RA extras?
RA enthesitis and achillies problems, anyone got the same?
