Hello everyone, I am just writing this post as I couldn't post a picture of my ankle in the reply to Mmrr and I would like to hear other's opinion on this as my rheumatologist says that it's fibromyalgia. If anyone has similar please reply.
Swollen ankle: Hello everyone, I am just writing this... - NRAS
Swollen ankle
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Lina282
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I didn't think fibromyalgia caused swelling of the joint? Maybe others know more?
Seems an odd diagnosis. I thought Fybromyalgia didn't affect the joints. Unless he's meaning that he thinks it's soft tissue swelling not synovitis? That could point the diagnosis Fybromyalgia-way. Your pic is just like my ankles are, when they're 'normal' that is, not so at the mo, they're really inflamed, toes to half way up my calf.
I think all you can do is keep them rested as much as is feasible, rest them up.
They didn't tell me why they think it's fibromyalgia... and the problem is that I think I have psoriatic arthritis not fibro.
Have you got RA nomoreheels? Have you had any scans on your swollen ankles to find out the problem?
Thank you for your advice x
You're welcome. Seems you need a firm diagnosis. It's helpful to cope if you can put a name to the trouble it's causing! Try to tie your Rheumy down to give you a proper diagnosis, or put your case forward for a rediagnosis it's if you think you may have PsA & not RD. What is it that makes you think that you have PsA?
Yes, I have RD, seropositive, diagnosed 11 years ago. The swelling hasn't yet been diagnosed. Stupid readily because I had an appointment with GP but with all that was going on I completely forgot & haven't yet managed to get another appointment. So no, no scans. I did post a pic a few weeks ago, it's no different, maybe a little more swollen, no point posting another pic but as I say it's inflamed from my toes up to half way up my calf. I've been wearing compression socks but I'm not sure they're helping, in fact I'm not putting them on tomorrow, see if they're any different.
I hope you find some relief soon.
Thanks. Trouble is since our Practice merged with the other in the Medical Centre they've started opening the appointment telephone lines at 8am. It was bad enough getting an appointment when it was 8.30am. Getting an online appointment is virtually impossible. I had a med review at the Pharmacy last week & his opinion was water retention & an antidiuretic would be prescribed. I'm not sure.
It's all so disappointing, how can people with major chronic health issues not be seen in a timely manner ? Do you have an appointment?
I've just spent the evening putting my update sheet together for my review on Friday, that I now request is scanned to my notes. It is the only way to get listened too...but at least I have an appointment !
I feel I go round and round in circles. I've just looked at photos shown to the rheumatologist of my ankles last May and her letter to my GP, dismissing my swollen ankles, 1 year on and we are no further forward. The potential damage to tendons is unacceptable. Sigh.
Nope. None available. We're going to have to change Practices. It's no longer suitable for us, more so since my GP left.
It,s must not in is it? Why is it they can be so dismissive when there's the potential of damage? I do hope you have more... I was going to say luck but it's not is it... that's just not good practice. Anyhow, I trust you have more success at this appointment.
I've just booked an appointment with the university physio tomorrow with an aim to get an opinion on my ankles before my review on Friday.
They were the team that wrote to my GP saying I needed a rheumatology referral after she messed about for several months with crass diagnoses.
Oh, that's good. I do hope he/she can shed more light as to what is going on, maybe coming from them it'll be taken more seriously.
Yes exactly, of course I would like to know what is causing my lots of problems.
I think I have PsA because all the joints are affected which are targeted by PsA. (Neck,lower back,shoulder,wrists,ankles, hips,hands,fingers, feet and toes.)
Itchy scalp, rashes where psoriasis appears.
My rheumatologist doesn't listen and doesn't really look at pictures if I want to show anything. To be honest he is quite rude and makes me look stupid.
Last time I mentioned that I have got issues and bleeding and he asked :
"Do I look like a rectal bleeding person?"
So I am looking for another rheumatologist 😋
I think you have to ask for a scan on your ankles to find a solution rather sooner than later x
Yes, get another Rheumotologist ASAP! I currently pay a cash Pay Rheumotologist in houston, Texas because it took 6 months to get in with a Rheumotologist that accepts insurance. This is the case all over houston. That long wait and he was the worst doctor ever, he laughed at the fibromyalgia and made jokes about depression. He then dismissed my low RF 21 and said I didn’t need any treatment. Despite the fact that I told him my grandma had disabling RA since her 30s and was in a wheelchair by 40s. Some doctors can be so desensitized!
Sorry to hear about your experience...I know how you feel as mine is a rude one too.
I have depression too and my rheumatologist speak to me like I am not a normal person so it is just unacceptable.
Yes I will look for another rheumatologist I have no other option.
Take care and have a lovely day x
Before my RA diagnosis (seropositive) my ankles have been just like that, usually in warmer weather and when travelling, they were painful. At the time I thought it was an age thing 😂 I was also overweight, they haven't been swollen since I lost weight. I used to rest with my feet elevated.
So you RA doesn't affect your ankles? I am not overweight and I am 43. They are like this for years,swelling comes and goes. But painful most of the times.
All the best x
My legs are well toned due to lots of regular swimming but the ankles are quite deformed now and particularly the right one where the bones in that area are under constant attack. I just thought it was part and parcel of RA - mine travels around my joints regularly, most recently my jaw, which is very painful.
Hi the photo is exactly like my ankles. At first the actual joints on the other side of my ankle were swollen and throbbing then the outer side swelled too. I had steroid injections into both joints and the swelling and soreness reduced but the 'soft tissue' swelling on the outer ankle (that's what the Rheumatologist said it was) is still just as bad. I am going to mention it at my next appointment at the end of July. Sorry I can't help you more and hope you get sorted soon. Let us know how you get on.
Thank you for your reply. It's good to know that so many of you have similar problem so I am not the only one 😊
I was thinking to ask for a scan but since I have the diagnosis of seronegative RA then the radiologist only looking for bone erosion and that's it. I believe it's tendonitis,but have problem/ pain with the joint as well.
I will let you know the outcome x
My ankles are always like this these days... sometimes painful, sometimes not, but always swollen. I have RA
Do you mentioned it to your rheumy? Do they think that you RA is controlled? Mine thinks that my RA is controlled that's why he doesn't care about the swelling/pain on my ankles.
I do mention it, and it gets dismissed.... I think because my bloods are ‘good’
Same with me...my bloods are always good 🤔
I’m going to be more questioning next time I’m seen... particularly as the last time I was seen by a rheumatology nurse who then sent a very jolly report of the appointment which I didn’t feel reflected my concerns at all.... that will teach me for being upbeat and positive in the face of adversity! 😂
My ankles and feet are always swollen nowadays. I have a bone spur on my left ankle which doesn’t help. Shoes are a nightmare sometimes. Poop 💩
Are your ankles hot and sore too Cwendyn?
They are - they go down overnight and within an hour of getting up start to swell. Except for the bit below my left ankle which is a bone spur and is always there. It burns if I walk too much
Thanks I'm just trying o get a measure of what is acceptable RD pain, if and when I get controlled, and what is not / something else.
I've given up really with going to docs - I just take it as something that happens now and mostly ignore it.
I hope to reach that stage one day Cwendyn too.
But unabated RA prevents me. I'm not a well lady.
I'm so sorry to hear that - it's so awful at times. I hope you get to feel a little like your normal self soon
Sorry I have replied to you in a separate reply or somehow...I don't know. Thank you for replying x
Hello Cwendyn,do you know if it caused by your condition? My husband has a bone spur in his foot and he had 2 steroid injections into that foot. That helped a lot. Hope you get some relief soon x
I have had swollen ankles and swollen. Achilles’ tendons for about 6 months now rheumatologist just said it was the RA but no mention of fybro ??
Hi I have seropositive RD for five years, my ankle has been like that for a few years, no scans though. I agree that fibromyalgia which I have, doesn’t cause swelling but I am not an expert.
I’ve had MASSIVE swollen ankles since my 20’s and before RA 20 years later happened when I was first pregnant. Used to be just a summer fluid retention thing which I begged for help for with every GP in my practice every year was basically told to come back when I was old and had high BP. Now it’s all the time summer and winter (worse in the summer). RA in my opinion does affect the ankles my swelling is on both sides on the top and around the back of the joint and Achilles and it definitely isn’t just fluid retention.
Are you on prednisone?
I have been on prednisone and having bad side effects from it. Both my ankles were much bigger than yours and were filled with fluid!
My GP (not my RA doctor who did nothing) had to put me on Lasix!
I have to take a Lasix pill every time they swell up! (which is about every two days if I don't take the Lasix!)
This prednisone is going to be the death of me!
I want off it so bad.
Now have a condition called Cushing Goid because my body does not want anymore prednisone.
Still trying to find the correct RA medicine so I don't have to take any prednisone but the search has been endless! Two years and still not the right RA medication!!!
Been on methotrexate, Enbrel, Humira, Xelzanze and now just started IV Infusions of Acterma!
Prednisone does terrible things to me!
Hello Troygirl, I am not on prednisone. I am on Metoject 15mg and Hydroxychloroquine 400mg. I had Depomedrol injection a few times and the swelling and pain disappeared after the injection so it was beneficial.
I would like it to be scanned to find out what it is as my RA medications doesn't help with this one. Or maybe I am just not on the right medication.
Wish you all the best and hope your infusion will do the trick for you x
My ankles too have always been very swollen. I wear M&S support knee high socks or tights with a dress, they are so brilliant. I thought that they would be very hot in the summer but they are not and my legs and feet are much more comfortable and less swollen. Not too difficult to get on either. I think that it is synovial fluid and gravity; draining to the feet. Take care.
Thank you. Never tried them but I will! Take care x
I sit upon the side of the tub soak HOT water may only be 10 minutes but relief !!!
Thank you 
Any relief better than this pain x
I found roll on BIOFREEZE relief too
May I ask where do you get it from?
Tesco pharmacy in the UK or any other supermarket with a pharmacy attached, or Boots sell it I think
Thank you 👍😊
My ankles swell and I have psoriatic arthritis. I recently was in a flare and my right ankle especially swelled tremendously . I was going to send a pic, but I can't figure out how to attach photos 🤔
Is your swollen ankle hot and red as well? Mine is not hot or red and that's what why my rheumatologist doesn't interested in my swollen ankles 😅😅
Do you use anything on it? Or just ice pack?
No it isn't red, just swollen and painful! I elevate it and apply a topical ointment that my foot & ankle doctor prescribed.
Mine isn't red either. May I ask for the name of the ointment maybe I can ask for it from my doctor? Hope we can share this type of info I don't know. 😊
I am not sure either, but we can give it a try😊 there are several ointments he prescribed. I will list them, the research I did on them seems they are mostly anti -inflammatory ointments and some come in a spray form. Triamcinolone Acetonide Topical Aerosol, Diclofenac Sodium Topical Solution, Diflorasone Diacetate Ointment, Lidocaine Ointment. They can be used separately or all together. I hope this helps. My insurance covered all of them except the Lidocaine.
Thank you so much x I really appreciate your advice and that you were taking your time to help me with this. 😘💐
This happens to me a lot. I am surprised they said Fibromyalgia; I didn't think it caused that but I suggest you ask for a scan; mine was done under ultrasound. They found it was inflammed fluid building up in the soft tissue, mainly my tendons. Twice they had given me a steriod shots and it calmed this down but the last time they had to draw the fluid off and give me a ultrasound guided injection (steriods) which calmed everything right down.
Hope this helps and how you get respite from this soon.
I sit on side of tub soak hot water
I have ankle support braces too just in case ………..
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