Pain in upper left side of abdomen

[Zeke-17]

Have any of you ever had any issues with spleen? I found out that there could be a connection between having RA and an enlarged spleen. It's rare but can happen, or so I read. I am hurting in that area. I have RA and also have MS and fibromyalgia. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

[Hidden]

I think a trip to your GP would be your best bet Zeke-17 as none of us are qualified to diagnose this.

[Zeke-17 in reply to Hidden]

Yeah, you are right. I just thought i would ask to see if anyone with RA has ever had any problems with it. If I keep hurting I will have to go to the ER. Thank you for replying.

[Mmrr]

Good morning, there is a rare condition called Felty's syndrome that can occur with long standing RD. It is diagnosed by three criteria, RD, large spleen and low white cell count (neutropenia), strangely the neutropenia is resolved by MTX.

I have RD and neutropenia resolved by MTX, but not the large spleen.

I had, and still get on occasions pain in my lower left rib /spleen area pain. It can be quite sore at times. I had a scan , my spleen was 'normal' and the pain put down to a fall on my ribs I had many years ago (my ribs were not broken at the time , normal xray). I doubt that.

I can't tolerate MTX and the neutropenia has returned since coming off it.

Treatments are the usual RD treatment, so I guess in some sense it doesn't really matter, but best mention it to your rheumatologist, I suspect the GP won't know.

Good luck.