Undifferentiated inflammatory arthritis taking sulfasalazine

[linda3]

Hi to all I started about a year ago..first with stress fracture got well at least I thought then July came and started hurting again went to a podiatrist all he could do is give shots! Finally I asked for a mri all he said it looks like a dumbbell fell on my foot! He sent me on my way with no boot or nothing said I would heal in 3 months didnt! So back to the orthopedic he put me in a boot for 2 months finally back 2 work then went to another podiatrist she treated me for plantarfasciitis but after reading my mri she didn't think it was she's thinking a nerve issue now I'm seeing a arthritis dr he says undifferentiated inflammatory arthritis so I have been on Sulfasalazine for almost 2 months I'm wondering it that's my problem I'm so depressed about this I need to go back to work the medicine does have me on my feet at least! But I don't know if this is making my anxiety to kick in

[popsmith1874]

Hi there it really is like being on a merrygoround sometimes, I've had RA and oa since 2014 and I've been to that many doctors and hospital appointments since I had this disease that I don't know if I'm coming or going sometimes lol take care

[linda3 in reply to popsmith1874]

I think I'm a geniua pig right now!

[oldtimer]

Undifferentiated inflammatory arthritis means that its not clear what type you have - so uncertainty for you and for your medical team. So keep good records yourself of what is happening - both written and photos of anything that looks different, so that it can become apparent what you are dealing with. Unfortunately it often does take time. Is it possible for you to have a phased return to work if you are back on your feet? That might make you feel less depressed about the future, although there will have to be adjustments to your life as we have all found out!

[linda3 in reply to oldtimer]

Im so worried about going back to work to be on my feet all day! Im thinking it is pf!! Who knows!? Its in my other foot now!

[earthwitch in reply to linda3]

Plantar fasciitis is a very common part of spondyloarthritis - which is the other main form of inflammatory arthritis (than RA). I'm guessing they are thinking that the PF is part of a more systemic inflammatory arthritis. Spondyloarthritis is a group of inflammatory arthritis that are seronegative (i.e. there isn't a definitive blood test that will prove it) - including psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, or undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy. Plantar fasciitis is a type of enthesitis - inflammation at the point where tendon joins onto bone, and enthesitis is one of the hallmarks of spondyloarthritis (whereas its usually more synovitis, or inflammation within the joint capsule, that is the feature of RA). So yes, it could well be PF and also be part of a broader seronegative inflammatory arthritis. Keep working with your rheumatologist to make sure you get the most effective treatment possible. Sulfasalazine is a good place to start as that (and Methotrexate) are the two most commonly used and most likely to be effective DMARDs for spondy.

[linda3 in reply to earthwitch]

Thank you for your input maybe I wont feel so discouraged as much.. but both feet???

[oldtimer]

What is pf?

I was thinking that you need to talk to your occupational health department about what work you CAN do? This would include a phased return so that you are not doing anything ALL day.

[linda3 in reply to oldtimer]

Plantar fasciitis it's not a good thing