Hands still swollen and very painful.

[Titchyj]

Hi, I was diagnosed last December with sero negative RA an OA, scans of hands show inflammation. I have tried MTX for 12 weeks, but too many side effects so I am now on Sulphasalazine 4 tablets a day for 11 weeks. There has been no difference since December, in fact my fingers are getting worse, both with pain and swelling. Seen OT, have splints and edema gloves, they do help with the pain a little, but not to any real extent.

I take pregabalin 50mg in the mornings and 150mg evenings, I am on 8 paracetamol per day, I am unable to tolerate stronger pain medication, I am am also taking prednisolone 7.5 mg per day. I am diabetic and my GP is not happy with giving me steroid injection as it shoots diabetes up considerably. I waited all day Friday for a phone call from GP as to whether I could up my steroids to 10mg, but didn't get one. Rheumy nurse rang to ask if he had called, she was waiting for consultant to suggest something else, as all he had suggested so far I am unable to take, as he should know if he bothered to read my file, which he obviously hadn't. I have had to stop taking naproxen because it affects my asthma.

I am at the end of my tether as to what to do, the pain and swelling is excruciating in my hands and fingers.

Just needed to get that off my chest, sorry for the rant.

Jan

[Hidden]

Hi Jan This condition is VERY frustrating isn't it?!

I think it's worse when you're sero negative (I am too) because I feel we have to convince them that we are suffering. I still don't think my RA is under control even though I have increased the meds, I'm on MTX, sulfa & hydroxy as well as amytriptiline & co codamol.

I'm not finding this weather very helpful either.

Sorry I haven't got any suggestions - but you're not on your own

[Titchyj in reply to Hidden]

Thanks PaulineS, I agree with you totally and your right this weather doesn't help either. I have this afternoon spoke to the GP on the out of hours, after speaking to NHS Direct Wales, and he has increased my prednisolone from 7.5mg to 10 mg and advised I speak AGAIN to the Rheumy nurse tomorrow.

Just would like to have respite from all this pain.

Hope you are tolerating your meds ok and that you are getting some relief.

Jan

[pawsed]

gentle hugs. I've had my rant today too, always sort of helps

I've been on MTX for 18 months, first tablets, then injections which gave me less side effects. The rheumy team then added sulphasalazine, which left me breathless, stopped that then onto hydroxycloroquin. I also take Etoriocoxcib as anti - inflammatory as naproxen wasn't cutting it. I have found the flares are becoming less frequent, still bloody painful when they happen tho'. For me soaking various joints in hot as I could bear water (although one hand prefers ice packs lol) and using a tens machine and learning to avoid triggers (usually stress!) have helped too.

Good luck as you wander through this, everyone's path seems slightly different

Px

[Titchyj]

Thank you Pawsed, yest I agree it is good to have a good rant now and then, have had my steroid increased this afternoon by GP out of hours, so hope this helps a bit, will be speaking to Rheumy nurse in the morning.

Hope you are coping ok at the moment.

Thanks again for replying.

Jan