I've experinced various RA symptoms but this is so different my RA has concentrated moostly on my hands and wrists for years, Since my Ritiximab Infusion 6/7 weeks ago the pain has got worse but i have been told to give it a chance, Has anyone on this page been through this some people have said it was 2/3 Months before it kicked in, This afternoon the pain and sharp stabbing pains and severe cramps between my elbow and wrists is horrendous, No pain in my Elbow or Wrists it starts between them so strange, Has anyone experienced this before I would be gratefull for any feedback. Matt
A different RA issue. Matt: I've experinced various RA... - NRAS
A different RA issue. Matt
I have not experienced that sort of pain and I’m sorry you are suffering.But between coming off Benepali and waiting for the Rituximab to get to work I did have a lot of pain and needed Prednisolone in the interim.
I hope the Rituximab will start working well for you soon so give it a few more weeks.
I found Rtx needed around 9 weeks for me to notice a huge difference but felt little differences from week 7. I was tapering steroids right down at that time and felt a distinct difference to my general well-being once Rtx kicked in. If your joints have seized up badly pre Rtx, they are going to take some time to come round. Are you sitting inactive for long spells and not using your arms much? Could any previous joint damage have affected a nerve in your elbow? I’m saying this as I had ulna nerve damage from misalignment of my elbow due to OA, which needed a lot of physio. That nerve pain caused flashes down my arm and a numb thumb. I hope when Rtx is fully working you find you can move and have less pain. It worked wonders for my joints. 🙏🏻💗
Thank You, Good to hear from someone along the same lines as me, My RA has been flare-ups only I have no disstortion joints at all, I am active all the time I go to 3 keep fit classes every week I rub and massage my hands and wrists constantly, Sice my transplant I take every opertunity to keep on the move. Matt
That’s great you’re moving and keeping your joints from seizing. It’s often hard to get the right balance between rest and exercise so sometimes there could be a little pain from that too. Rtx works wonders for joints. My CRP has always been <5 from the start so no inflammation as such. Just old OA damage I have.
I am on biological injections and I have severe pain between my elbow and wrists. The pain is running up and down and nothing seems to stop it! I am on Humeria. I told my remedy nurse and she said I have to put up with it until 11 th November when my appointment is. I am on maximum pain relief at the moment! Good luck.
mattcass, I was getting the most awful cramps in my upper arms between my elbows and shoulders, the pain was breathtaking and completely stopped me in my tracks.I'm now on leflunomide and a JAK inhibitor and things are much better, oral prednisolone has seen me through the worst of it, although struggling to taper down now.
I am in USA & have seropositive RA. I experienced excruciating pain, fatigue, nausea, & vomiting after my first 7 hr infusion with rtx. Was basically bedridden after rtx for 8 mths & I still feel awful. My rheum dr then stated I can’t try another biologic ‘til rtx abates in about 7+ months. Oh, & rheumy dr forgot to do required TB & Hep blood tests before rtx infusion. Have new rheumy now & am trying Rinvoq now. Still feel awful 10 mths since rtx infusion! Like you, I could use some suggestions.