Septic arthritis anyone?

[wishbone]

Tis a rare beast I believe so I'm not expecting a huge response, but I'd be interested to hear from anyone who's had this awful condition?...how your docs think it occurred, what meds are you taking now, etc....

I had it in my hip 3 years ago and was advised not to take enbrel again, which I was on at the time. Have also stopped all other meds except for hydroxy, which has helped over the last couple of years but is gradually losing its effect, so have agreed with my rheumy to start a new drug - baricitinib soon. Trouble is I'm now having second thoughts if it might be best to soldier on as things are rather than risk getting septic arthritis again, plus other damage poorly controlled RA can do.

I realise it's my decision alone whether to go back on stronger meds so am not expecting people to give their opinions about that. I'd just like to hear experiences from folk who have actually had septic arthritis and how they've managed since?

[hawker955]

Sorry to hear this. I have not had it but know a lot because of my job. I understand that septic arthritis is widely considered to be one of the most painful conditions to exist I peoiple! Up there with childbirth, or treading on a piece of Lego in bare feet in the dark of course! Seriously though, So you do have my sympathy. Good luck. I expect that you will receive intravenous antibiotics for a while to control it. Even surgical flushing of the joint? Sepsis is very destructive of joints I am afraid.

[wishbone in reply to hawker955]

Thanks hawker, Was 3 years ago when I had it, and yes it did hurt a bit! My hip was flushed out, plus lots of intravenous followed by oral antibiotics. Also had a couple of MRI scans in hip area and an ultra sound scan on heart to check if the bug was hiding there...thankfully it wasn't. Scary times indeed, hence my reluctance about going back on meds and being more prone to infections.

[hawker955 in reply to wishbone]

I fully understand that they will need to ensure that all residual infection has cleared before your new medication. I hope that all goes well. Do you know how the infection got into your hip?

[wishbone in reply to hawker955]

I was near finishing a detailed reply when my post suddenly disappeared! Not the first time this has happened either.

Will have to get back to you later.........

[wishbone in reply to hawker955]

The orthopedic specialist at the time thinks it was a bug from a recent UTI, and enbrel, which I was on at the time, was a major player in allowing the bug to access my bloodstream. Along with enbrel I was also taking methotrexate but he seemed less concerned about that.

Trouble is I have a chronic bladder condition and am prone to recurring UTIs. In the 20 months that I've stopped taking meds I haven't had a single UTI...I probably would have had at least 4 during that time when I was taking meds. Just to make a decision even more difficult, my lungs have been damaged by RA. It very probably happened when my RA went berserk after I stopped taking meds completely, including hydroxy, for a couple of months following the septic hip episode. I would put up with the pain and even further joint deterioration that staying off the meds would mean, but it's the possibility of further damage to my lungs and where it can lead that scares me and makes me lean towards going back on meds, which is what both my rheumy and an immunologist I was recently referred to, have advised me to do. I'll probably follow their advice, though you can probably see why I'm so hesitant about what to do for the best. Perhaps hearing from someone who's had septic arthritis might give me some reassurance and make my decision a little less difficult.

[wishbone]

Thought as much.