Is this a typical reaction to overdoing thing with rheumatism or something else?

[jomojo]

I have woke with a seriously painful jaw, I can not eat. Both shoulders excruciatingly bad on movement and back of my left left knee is so bad I'm limping and its getting worse. The pain has increased as the day has gone on. Paracetamol, naproxen and prgablin havent helped. I've gone to bed, with hubbys help, to try and rest but the pain is persisting. I had a cortisone injection neary two weeks ago and up until now seemed to help? My wrists and knuckle are starting to join in slightly now too. What is it? Has anyone had a similar symptoms?

So scared and worried.

[charisma]

Hi Jo, if you have RD, sounds like a typical nasty flare but GP is best place for help.

I could barely open my mouth a week or so ago due to ear, nose and throat virus affecting the jaw joint. Antibiotics helped.

So did holding my nostrils closed with thumb and finger, and gently blowing as if trying to blow my nose; this clears blocked Eustachian tubes which can make the jaw joint so painful that the mouth can’t open properly.

My jaw joints also hurt in a flare when infection free.

Hope you get medical advice quickly.

[jomojo in reply to charisma]

Thats the confusing part. The Rheumatologist said this isn't typical RD symptoms and that If it is RD is have visible swelling and hands and feet are usually the main sites. That where my flares begin but not presently. I was told if the cortisone helped then they wil begin methotrexate if not they would look at neuropathic pathways? My pains usual subside as I move about but not today. Considering A+E its so bad.

[charisma in reply to jomojo]

GP Out of Hours ie NHS 24, have a base where you are? You might get an appointment there quickly. Take care!

[jomojo in reply to charisma]

Thank you charisma. Thats a very good idea. I've just had a bath and clean pjs on. That was exhausting and I needed help. Nothing is touching the pain at the moment I just want yo be knocked out for a bit. True to past episodes it will be just an aching and stiffness tomorrow. Fingers crossed. X

[jomojo in reply to jomojo]

I'm Liverpool under Aintree hospital.

[Mall]

When my jaw becomes very sore this is a sign that my RA is not under control. What your rheumatologist says about jaws not being a typical symptom is a load of bo...ks. Your disease is active and your medication needs to be reviewed.

Chewing is a problem as is even talking when your jaw is inflamed. I tended to eat a lot of soups and bought myself a liquidiser. Eat soft or blitz foods just now. When my drugs were sorted out my problems with my jaw rarely occurred. Inflamed shoulders can be very debilitating and pain killers and steroid jabs are not the long term answer.

Looks like another appointment with your consultant is needed urgently, you may need to be on dmards to control the disease. Methotrexate is usually the first dmard they prescribe as it is very effective. It does take about eight weeks to be effective once you start taking it. Please pester your Gp to refer you back urgently. You shouldn't be suffering like this.

[jomojo in reply to Mall]

Hi Mall. I couldnt bare the pain trying to eat. Nothing all day until mashed potatoe at midnight and that hurt. Horrid isn't it? I don't know what to think anymore. Everything I've read states shoulders and sometimes jaws. I would hope they know their stuff. And my Rheumy is apparently very good and well known as a leader in her field.

I went to A+E they took obs and blood.

Said all normal except my white blood cells were raised but that happens with a cortisone injections, which I had two weeks ago. The hospital said to take codeine and paracetamol and ring my

Rheumatologist today. I did and there's no appointments earlier than the one I have next Wednesday 27th, advised to ring my GP for more painkillers and use a compress if it worsens. I'm really worried that I'll be discharged back to my GP and start all over again because hardly present perminent swelling with all pains and there is only slight damage on ultrasound tests. I still feel like I've been kicked from pillar to post today. Obviously I don't want RD but I do need help and answers. I believe Antibody - CCP of 340 is a strong indicator too?

[Mall in reply to jomojo]

All I can suggest until you see your rheumy is to rest your sore joints and take the pain killers and anti inflammatories. It was a few months before my blood showed positive for rheumatoid arthritis. Initially it was my hands that swelled up but this was soon out done by my shoulders and jaw. Soups, rice pudding, yoghurt, scrambled egg all take little chewing. i found that if I could rest my swollen jaw and shoulders for about three days they eased up. Use a juicer or liquidiser to blitz some fruits and veg. Once easier avoid putting stress on the joints that have been playing up by not chewing gum or steak, or talking too much, avoid carrying heavy bags or hoovering. Rest them as much as possible until you see your consultant next week.

If you can bear it stop taking your anti inflammatories a few days before your appointment because these can affect the inflammatory markers in your blood.

[jomojo in reply to Mall]

Thanks Mall. Oo rice pudding i haven't had that in years. I had soggy weetabix today. My jaw and shoulders are increasing in the length of time the pain and stiffness last. If it isn't RA and it is a reactive or a neurological pathway I wonder what treatment will be given, because if paracetamol, naproxen, prgablin and codeine daily haven't helped so far? I will try leaving naproxen out for a few days as suggested. Thanks again.

[Mall in reply to jomojo]

I picked up that the steroid injection helped you for a couple of weeks. It's important to mention that when you see your consultant. For some folk this lasts for about six weeks or even more, for others only a couple of weeks. At least it did help for a short time and this could help with their diagnosis and future treatment.

Hope all goes well on 27th and you get the heLp you need.

[jomojo in reply to Mall]

Ah okay, It was only short lived relief from the cortisone but I felt like my old self and I probably did overdo it because of that. I wish I could take you with me, you know what to say Mall. I find myself almost defending myself when I go to appointments and not feeling believed as the consultant keeps saying shes still not convinced. I'm not trying to convince her I go for help and to be diagnosed with something.