Has anyone been given a cortisone injection and told if it works then we will give you methotexate?

[jomojo]

I was at my second rheumatologist appointment today after having horrendous 3 night's of pain. I am strong CCP positive but apparently negative RF. Contradictory to what my own GP who said I bloods showed positive. This consultant thinks I'm still palandromic as I'm not showing any visible joint swelling. She said with RA you would not have sore shoulders, jaw and hips, groin without visible swelling. And my stiffness would not last as long. So after an ultrasound on shoulders showing some swelling she offered me a cortisone injection and said come back in 2 weeks and if you have had noticable relief we will start you on methotrexate. If not look at possible neuropathic reasons? Has anyone else experienced this?

[oldtimer]

A response to steroids is often taken as confirmation that the joint pain is more likely to be due to Rheumatoid Disease than, for example, fibromyalgia.

[jomojo in reply to oldtimer]

Hi old timer. How are you today? I thought I had replied to you earlier but it's disappeared? Yes that's how I understood today outcome. Either way whatever it is; Palendromic, Fibromyalgia or RA I just want a label and a treatment plan for pain control. I think sleep deprivation has got the better of me I forgot to ask questions from my little list the night before

[helixhelix]

Agree with oldtimer, it is used as another pointer to a diagnosis if other things are not clear. Anti-CCP is a much more precise test than the RF one, so I really wouldn't think much more about negative RF as you are usually considered positive if either of these are positive.

[jomojo in reply to helixhelix]

Hi Helix Helix. Things that are not clear!

I'm beginning to develop a brain twitch. Ha ha. Thanks for replies. Good to talk to those who have been there too.

So I know and suffer with wrists, Knees elbows and feet swelling and pains, and I have photographs of this. But at the moment its my fatigue, shoulders, jaw hips, groin and stiffness that's causing trouble. Is this not typical rheumatic symptoms? I never made it back into work today Im so exausted. So I feel guilty on top if it all. I'm turning into a real self pity Queen. Sorry.

[Adnil53]

I have both RA and fybromyagia. Methotrexate is a disease modifying drug. It does supress your immune system but works well with RA & Fybromyagia . There are lots of different drugs now so they will try you on different ones but it takes time!

[Adnil53]

Also fatigue is horrendous with me too . Hits you very quickly . You myst jyst listen to your body and rest . Really hard thing to do when tberes thibgs ti so places to go xx

[jomojo in reply to Adnil53]

I don't know if its psychological or the cortisone injection but the last two hours I actually feel like my old self! Like a switch flicked! Long may it last. That fatigue is the most frustrating feeling, somedays I feel like the laziest person in the world because jobs have built up so much.

[helixhelix in reply to jomojo]

That's steroids for you! Don't overdo it.

[jomojo]

That's what my mum said too. Ha ha.