Anyone had palendromic rheumatism developed into RA

[Elmo333]

Hi. I’ve got seropositive RA but it has been much more like palendromic rheumatism (short, excruciating flares in loads of joints moving around every couple of days but with pain free periods in between and no significant joint damage) for about 8 years. In the last few months it seems to be turning more into traditional RA ie. the above symptoms but now with long morning stiff ness that gets better throughout the day. I know 30% of people with PR develop RA, particular when all blood tests are positive but just wondering how people experienced that change. Thank you

[StormySeas]

Hi there

I was diagnosed with Palindromic RA but it has morphed into ordinary RA, although I still get palindromic symptoms as flares.

A couple of years after diagnosis, when I queried the consultant about what type of arthritis I have (I also have psoriasis) she said that she thought I also had RA.

I think I had a mixture of the two all along, it's just that I didn't realise the other symptoms I had were those of RA. I thought that the exhaustion, feelings of debility and illness, not able to get out of bed etc were something else that was wrong with me. Now I know that these are the systemic symptoms of RA, and they were there all along.

Now I'm on MTX and RTX the illness is suppressed, although I still get morning stiffness, exhaustion and random joint flares if I overdo things. The very good thing is that the excruciating, unbearable pain that comes with Palindromic RA flares is much, much reduced.

I used to have to travel with Tramadol and Oramorph just in case I had a sudden flare, but I don't need to do this anymore. I still get a suddenly painful joint that I still think within a few hours is going to develop into unbearable pain .... but thankfully it doesn't progress to this anymore.

So I think the treatment I'm receiving for my more aggressive RA has had a very beneficial effect on the Palindromic RA.

Have you had MRIs on your joints to confirm no damage? I think damage can occur when it's not expected, as was the case with me.

Sorry a bit rambly, hope it's of some help....

[Elmo333 in reply to StormySeas]

That’s really helpful, thank you. I agree with everything you said. I only had a bone scan and xrays at point of diagnosis (4yrs ago) which should inflammation and slight Synovitis in hands. Nothing since. Thank you

[vonniesims]

Yes I had it for about 6 years. Very painful joints, usually only one ata time, sometimes gone in a few hours. Definitely excacerbated by processed foods. I was given painkillers.

Eventually my hands became stiff, painful and swollen. RA diagnosed and the rheumatologist I then saw said I should have had treatment for the pallendromic rheumatism.

Hope all goes well

[vonniesims]

When RA was diagnosed I had all the x rays which showed that my wrists were all already damaged

[Beviejon1]

Yes I've had PAL along with RD for 26 years.