Ankles

[Chance_chance]

I was diagnosed with RA almost 2 years ago I'm taking methotrexate and sulphonate resently has sound wave treatment on ankles had 3 sessions finished 3 weeks ago.The consultant said it's not working and advise was not to have more Now I'm in such pain I can only walk with crutches from chair or bed to use toliet. Contact the doctor 3 times this week finally today saw a doctor and she's said she doesn't know what to do, keep taking pain killers. Has anyone any had this problem. Phoned RA help line can't get through. Any advice welcome

[Hidden]

I’m sorry your ankles are causing you pain. A lot of us are or have been there so I hope we can be a support to you. Have you spoken to your rheumy nurse about it or do you have another clinic appointment soon? What did the consultant say was the next step after the sound wave treatment stopped? I hope you get sorted soon.

[Chance_chance in reply to Hidden]

He said next step operation.

[Hidden in reply to Chance_chance]

Well let’s hope that’s not too far away.

[Chance_chance in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the support it's nice to know I'm not the only one, only recently found this site

[Hessie5]

Hi Chance - I too had severe damage to ankles when diagnosed 3 years ago - was going upstairs on my bottom. Crawling to the bathroom - it was debilitating. What helped was steroids - I had no choice as could not function. I had to take Prednisone - so do speak to your rheumatologist and get it sorted. Wishing you well and a speedy recovery. Hessie 😌

[Chance_chance in reply to Hessie5]

Thank you

[Chance_chance in reply to Chance_chance]

Thanks

[Lotus17racer]

Hi there. Yup, it’s my ankle too. But etanercept seems to have reduced the swelling and the pain a lot. Tricky after having sat down ie after getting up to walk afterwards for a few yards. Have you been allowed to explore this option ?

[Chance_chance in reply to Lotus17racer]

No not yet may ask rhuemotology. Thanks

[Hattie23]

Im facing the same.. Help!

[Chance_chance in reply to Hattie23]

It's hard but we have to be positive I've been taken off immune lowering treatment had Antibiotics and now able to work with crutches. All the best.

[futurefox2]

I have experienced severe ankle pain so I sympathise. I hope they have thoroughly scanned the joints to check for damage, I assume they have. I had an ankle fusion last September for my advanced arthritis and it got rid of the pain. But it is probably a different issue to yours.

One of the worst aspects is the lack of exercise because of the pain. The muscles wither and make it worse. The thing that helped me was swimming and my own version of aquarobics. I wear shoes in the pool to give the foot support. Fitflop uberknit ones work for me as the sole gives good support and the mesh lets the water through.

I realise getting to a pool with your pain could be very difficult. But I am mentioning it just in case it can help

I do hope they find a solution soon.

Best wishes

Lorana

[Chance_chance in reply to futurefox2]

Thanks

[BonnieT]

Hi, chance!

I’ve been having a multitude of problems. Stomach mostly but also swollen ankles. Been having to use my cane all the time and hate it. I had been using Topricin cream for pain relief in knees. Ran out but can’t find in any stores. A friend said try Blu Emu. It had a tag “recommended by the Arthritis Foundation,” so I bought it. Used it on the aches in my upper arms and on my knees. It helps a bit. But I found on the internet that people use it for a multitude of other things that included swelling. I tried it on the ankles last night and it does seem to have helped a bit. Swelling is not gone but pain is relieved. I’m going to keep trying it for a while. It was $18 US for a smallish tube, kind of expensive but worth it if it helps. It also said it helps with skin problems, itching, rashes, acne, dry skin. Also, that it’s been used by the aboriginal tribes for centuries. I just now crossed my ankles which I have not done for a very long time. A change in my diet of no caffeine and no dairy is also new and may have something to do with this. I do believe your doctor doesn’t know what to do because most of them don’t. They can only try and hope to help. Hang in there and know you’re not alone. Hugs.

[Chance_chance in reply to BonnieT]

Thanks for replying I've not replied been in hospital for over a week CPR 244 but no definite answer. Had scans x-ray MRI just started me on antibiotics and sent home for outpatient appointment.

[BonnieT in reply to Chance_chance]

Chance,

Sorry you were in hospital and whatever it was leaves you alone. We with RA seem to always have many things happening to us. Take care. Bonnie

[Chance_chance in reply to BonnieT]

Thanks

[Chance_chance in reply to BonnieT]

Thanks

[daisychains58 in reply to Chance_chance]

I was sent home too..they had me in antibiotics for high white cell count but nothing to address the CRP or the or the pain and i didn't see a rheumy either. Took myself off to sydney well got taken to see rheumy and was put in hospital for 3 weeks to diagnosis and treatment. .massive steroids only thing that worked on the knees.

[Chance_chance in reply to daisychains58]

Thanks for the reply hope you are feeling better

[daisychains58]

I was the same as Hessie..prednisone was the only thing that helped me and heat packs. Had an ankle replacement 5 weeks ago. .so far so good. .pain so much better..can start weight bearing and physio next week. Its been over a year since ive walked on that ankle and crutches end up causing wrust and thumb pain.

No one seems to want to take steroids but sometimes its the only thing that takes the inflammation and pain away.

Hope you get this sorted soon...try heat for pain

[Chance_chance in reply to daisychains58]

I've spent the last week in hospital,CPR through the roof 244 had scans x-ray MRI but not a lot of improvement, put on antibiotics and decided to go home as on an orthopedic ward seen rhuemotology once in all that time, hoping to get out patient appointment with rhuemotology.

[Chance_chance in reply to daisychains58]

Thanks for the advice I will try that. Good luck with physio

[daisychains58 in reply to Chance_chance]

Thanks. Physio is killing me imvso exhausted. Its 3 hours Monday and Wednesday. I hope high dose of steroids gives you some quick relief..sorry you went home from hospital without them being tried.

Anyway its diabilitating disease. .im always so tired...still trying to figure out which foods make me flare..pretty sure mushrooms are one. Hope your feeling better. Xx

[Chance_chance in reply to daisychains58]

Hope your physio works sounds hard work

[Rahelp]

What was the sound wave therapy for?

[Chance_chance in reply to Rahelp]

Soundwave treatment to brake down calcium deposits and repair damage to Achilles tendon. Wish I'd never had it spent last week in hospital.

[pd118]

I got crutches for those days walker and cane sit onside of tub soak hot water

[Chance_chance in reply to pd118]

Yes I also have crutches for those days but pain imbolized me went to AE spent last week in there CPR 244 but still don't know why given antibiotics and sent home to attend outpatient appointment.