Knee pain

[Bubblyb]

As a newby, I have a quick question. I was diagnosed just last month and am on MTX and prednisone. I presented in the Rheumy’s office with a swollen left knee. She took the synovial fluid and some blood work and X-rays and told me I have RA but it really only shows up in my one knee. I do have various other aches and pains all over my body and I have all the sore spots of Fibromyalgia so I was “diagnosing “ myself with that. 🙄 Is it possible to have RA without symmetry in the joints and starting in my knees instead of hands? Thanks for any info and I have been reading a bunch of the comments on this site and really appreciate all the words of support and wisdom regarding this diagnosis. Thanks!

[Simba1992]

I started out exactly as you did. Then came the wrists and hands and fatigue and the othe knee and so on. I think many of us have had the same history, but then again you never know with this illness...

[Bubblyb in reply to Simba1992]

@Simba1992 Thank you so much for your reply. I don’t usually trust doctors because I’ve not been feeling well for a very long time and never diagnosed with anything, just put off to the side. Finally I have a specialist in Rheumatoid conditions and I like how she listened to me and believed me!

Well, I am glad that I was diagnosed early on so that maybe I can reduce the damage before it starts full blown. I’m still grappling with the knowledge that I have RA.

Have a wonderful day!

[Simba1992 in reply to Bubblyb]

For a long time I as you wanted to find other explanations for my pains. Diagnosis is not always so straight forward, even for docs at times. I'm glad that you have found a rheumy you can trust. Take care. Simba

[helixhelix]

I'm not entirely symmetrical. And it was only ever my right knee that turned into a balloon.... Despite what the books say there's huge variation between people,

[Bubblyb in reply to helixhelix]

Thank you for your reply. Yes, my left knee started swelling up to twice the normal size this summer and as I was going to be flying in an airplane, at first they wanted to rule out a blood clot causing the swelling. Confirmed not a blood clot. My family doc thought maybe I had somehow damaged the joint and then diagnosed it as OA and had me see a Physical Therapist. I’m only 56 years old, but could stand to lose about 75 pounds. I continued with the swelling all summer and when I finally got to see the Rheumy, she took one look at my knee and started the diagnostic tests. Confirmed the RA. So I’ve been trying to understand this disease. But a lot of the info online states that it presents in the hands and it’s symmetrical. Thank you again for your reply and I understand now that much of the info online is not accurate for each individual person.

[Hidden in reply to Bubblyb]

Lots of people on this site started with one joint. In my husbands case his neck, then one shoulder, then one ankle. Only symmetrical when he had a major flare. Small joints last to swell.

[Bubblyb in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your reply. Here’s another question that I’ve been wondering about regarding the progression of RA. After starting medication, does it still move on to other joints and areas of the body or does the medication basically stop it in its tracks. For instance, with your husband, is he on medication and yet still it progressed to the other areas and also, do flares occur even if taking medication? I’m so unsure of what to expect with this new diagnosis, my rheumy just gave me a printout of basic information on the medication. Thank you again for your reply, Norisa. 💐

[Hidden in reply to Bubblyb]

There are many on here far more qualified to answer your question than I am! Inflammation, if present, can pop up anywhere but the meds are to reduce the inflammation in the whole body. It is rather a case of trial and error to find the right medication to reduce the inflammation and it takes patience. In my husbands case he had various joints affected but it wasn't diagnosed until 6 months later when he had a major flare and all joints were swollen. At that point he started treatment. He has now added a newer drug Baricitinib which is working much better for him than initial meds. Everyones experience is very different. Have you got the NRAS booklets? They are helpful. Lots of people will help you on this site. I with you well

[Bubblyb in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much for sharing what happened in your husbands case. I think I’ve quite a road ahead of me, as I’ve just started the meds and I still hurt so much. But the swelling has gone down and also a terrible rash I’ve had on my elbows is now almost entirely gone! So that’s good. My rheumy has also stated I should not take naproxen which I used to take daily because it was the only med that would relieve the pain. 😔I live in the USA and here docs are loathe to prescribe any opioids for pain so I guess I will just have to hope that the meds kick in and relieve the pain soon. Thank you again for the info and I will look into obtaining the booklets.

[Hidden in reply to Bubblyb]

nras.org.uk/living-with-ra

You can download the info from this link. Ask as many questions as you like. Plenty of experience on offer from members. Remember for some one med is sufficient and they don't need support from this site once stabilised. Hopefully you will b one of them!

[Bubblyb in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, Norisa! 💐

[Rubyroo1 in reply to Bubblyb]

Mine moved to my wrists after starting meds - only been on meds since beginning of August- still suffering from sore knees and wrists ..............but able to walk a little quicker on flat ground ....stairs are a completely different matter !

As Norisa says, the NRAS website is great and they have some great booklets, def worth a look at.

[Bubblyb in reply to Rubyroo1]

Thank you, Rubyroo1 🌷

[HappykindaGal]

No symmetry here either. Right hand/wrist/shoulder. Right knee, left ankle. Hope they sort you out soon

[Bubblyb in reply to HappykindaGal]

Thank you, Cwendyn 💐

[Rubyroo1]

ooh yes, I was told by my Rheumy that I was rather odd - not being symmetrical with my joints, in the nicest possible way rather confused him I think., that's probably why he was happy to transfer me to his NHS list

Mine started in my right foot- second toe, then outside of my foot, then my foot got a bit better and my right thumb swelled up....... now both wrists and knees, and my middle finger - middle knuckle on my right hand . My right ankle aches but not my left ???!!! Right thumb is now back to normal. Just waiting for my wrists and knees to get back to normal.......... So yes I have been diagnosed with RA without being symmetrical.

[Bubblyb in reply to Rubyroo1]

Thank you so much for the response, Rubyroo1 🙂 Asymmetry seems to be a thing with some of us. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[Hidden]

I'm symmetrical, which is unusual for psoriatic arthritis. Fortunately my hands are the only part not seriously damaged. These rheumatic diseases are sneaky.

[Bubblyb in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for the response, Nettienet. 🌸

[Millysmum]

Not symmetrical either, started with right hand, both feet and right knee... All settled with start of meds and pred, but just had a flare... Left hand this time and both feet again... Its a strange disease. Hope your meds start working soon x

[Bubblyb in reply to Millysmum]

Thank you, Millysmum. Me too 🌼