Rheumatic Disease , Fibromyalgia and OA!

[Damaged]

I recently went to a Podiatrist. He says I have OA in both feet. My question to you is can the problem I am currently having with hips be OA as well?

[KayEP]

Not sure a podiatrist can diagnose OA, but feet problems can bring hip problems if they are causing pain and you can't walk 'normally'. You may have to have orthotics made to correct foot problems. I have recently been diagnosed with OA in my hips, but only after x-rays taken by my Rheumy. You should probably speak to your Rheumy to have x-rays of your feet and hips. Hope all goes well. xo

[Damaged in reply to KayEP]

Walking is becoming a challenge but stairs are now a problem. I often resort to scooting up or down on my behind lol not graceful but effective.

[Damaged]

My Rheumy has arranged for ultrasounds of hips. She says X-ray will not show enough?

I have eight X-rays of my feet lol at least it will provide a base line lol I also broke my right wrist and several fingers on left hand in 2009 and loads on back, neck so most areas are covered. I also had full cardiac work up. Definitely at a point were just do blood work and give it a rest. The sun is still shinning so I will keep looking at the bright side. It is what it is🙀

[KayEP in reply to Damaged]

So sorry you've been going through such a rough time, but happy that you are trying to look on the bright side. Could you get a stair lift installed at home, if you are in the UK your GP and/or Rheumy should be able to help funding by writing to your local Social Services dept. Positive thoughts and hugs coming your way. xo

[helixhelix]

Only a doctor can tell you. But it is far more common for osteoarthritis to attack hips than it is for RA to do so.

[Pamelah5]

I was told you can get OA in all joints the same has RA.

When we have problems with our feet before diagnosis we tend to walk differently to help / stop the pain which is different from how we would normally walk.

I know I did when putting extra strain on hips and legs. When I was diagnosed with "plantar fasciitis" which went into Seropositive RA

I hope this helps.

[helixhelix in reply to Pamelah5]

In general RA tends to attack the smaller synovial joints first - so hands, feet and the top vertebrae of the neck, as well as shoulders, elbows, wrists. But of course there's nothing standard about RA and it can also cause back and hip problems. It's just that it makes it more likely that damaged has OA in hips too.

Could of course be secondary OA from repeated RA inflammation.....

[Hidden in reply to helixhelix]

I just googled secondary OA as I never heard of it before helixhelix. Thanks for bringing this too my attention.

I never had any OA signs or symptoms before this RA diagnosis struck me 3 years ago. I always felt frusterated that none of my 3 rheumatologists had mentioned why eachtime I came in with a complaint about a new swelling or a new painful joint they ignored it.

The rheumie I am seeing now just says "oh that's OA, not RA" whenever I show him a new swollen & somewhat deformed joint....I think I need to talk to him

[Damaged in reply to Pamelah5]

Yes it does help, thank you. I had to look up plantar fasciitis. Wow we sure have a complex operating system lol I am thrilled that I gave birth before all this. I do not think I would choose it again. Make no mistake, I love my son and other children but I would be to afraid to pass on these genes. Good thing he was born reasonably healthy. I feel so much sympathy for the parents of children with a chronic disease. No matter the age your child's suffering is unbearable. Big hugs to all of you and thank you all for the responses.

[oldtimer]

Your rheumy is right to say Xray of hips is not as useful as an u/s. The severity of the pain and the appearance of the Xray doesn't seem to match well. Soft tissue inflammation will show up on a (well performed) u/s, not just what's happening to the bones.

It is also possible to get pain in the hips that coes from the back - just to complicate things further!

[Gnarli]

Oh bless you! You really have been in the wars haven't you? Well done for staying so chirpy because that can't be easy. I understood that if you use a joint you can get wear and tear - OA. I hope the ultrasound gives a clearer picture of what is going on. At my appointment with the lovely podiatrist she pointed to what I thought was a bunion and told me that it is OA. Don't you just love the casual way you are told this stuff? Hugs

Jan

[Damaged in reply to Gnarli]

I tend to be very pragmatic. I would prefer clear diagnoses to looking for cause. I went a very long time without a diagnoses , that is much worse. I like to face things head on. I would just prefer getting on with it. Waiting for next big flare. Waiting is the hardest part, for me. I would prefer to just get on with it.

I am beginning to miss the stress. When I was scrambling to save my businesses and keep my home I had no time to worry about what is yet to come. Now I am afraid to start anything new for fear of a flare. I had to give up so many things I do not want to experience that again. (I refer in particular to work). I have decided to look into patient advocacy and volunteerism. One thing for certain, they know how quickly things can change.

Weather man still forecasting ☀️ and more ☀️, yahoo! One week to infusion so will soak it up now.