Nodules growing & new ones appearing does this mean R... - NRAS

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Nodules growing & new ones appearing does this mean RA is still active do you know?

Chrt profile image
Chrt
15 Replies

Hi everyone hope you are all doing the best you can :) Couple of wks ago I noticed skin on my middle knuckles had a roughish feel then yesterday can see it is new nodules forming & the ones I already have on small knuckles above are growing bigger but I,ve had those a few yrs since before being diagnosed & taking mtx. I am due to take my 12th dose of mtx today & side effects can include increase of nodules apparently. Do you think ra is not being controlled & still active as nodules are a symptom of ra & also side effect of mtx I dont know what to think, whats your thought please? talk about confused!!! :) ps had a flare couple of wks ago if thats any help.

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Chrt
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15 Replies
Deeb1764 profile image
Deeb1764

My nidules come and go and yes when I am on a flare and or more stressed too. My joints get very itchy and then bang next day the nodules are there. Sometimes last a day or 2 sometimes a longer period of time.

Have a chat to your RA team if you can too just so they are aware.

Chrt profile image
Chrt in reply to Deeb1764

Hi Deeb good to know thxs. Yes mine get very itchy too and red but they,ve never gone just always there but now gotten bigger & new ones appeared :( Got appt with rheumy thur. so will mention it then :)

Haz58 profile image
Haz58

I get nodules on the bones nearest to my nails. I mentioned them to my Rheumatologist and she dismissed them as osteoarthritis. I'm not so convinced myself. I think it's RA.

Chrt profile image
Chrt in reply to Haz58

Oh really Haz how odd?? Yes thats where mine are but Gp who referred me to rheumy said mine were due to RA ? So confusing isn,t it but mine don,t go away & sometimes get hot, red & itchy & now got more coming up on middle knuckles. Feel theres just no understanding this disease at all & wondering if docs do either! But what can we do except keep taking meds & hope things settle down 1 day soon. Thxs :)

Cal66 profile image
Cal66 in reply to Chrt

Tes I have also been told by my rheumatologist that it's OA and nothing can be done to help me to control it, also have sle.

Chrt profile image
Chrt in reply to Cal66

Oh no I,m more confused now Cal lol I,ll have to wait & show them to rheumy on thursday see what he says, thxs :)

Cal66 profile image
Cal66 in reply to Chrt

Let us us know what he says when you see him. My rheumatologist I think he called them Heberdens nodes. I have just looked it up on Google and the Cleveland Clinic in America say that they are definitely OA as they are bony growths, but just see what your consultant tells you rather us, as he is trained to know the differences in them.

Chrt profile image
Chrt in reply to Cal66

Hi Cal just googled them myself to haha ok heres what top of1st page comes up with I just put in google ra nodules google.com/search?q=ra+nodu...

its from this site actually. Then to left of google page is another link with pics

google.com/search?q=rheumat...

Of course I,ll let u know when I see him :)

Chrt profile image
Chrt in reply to Cal66

Hi Cal, saw rheumy today he said OA! He didnt look at them only showed me xray of right hand said look bone on bone thumb couple of fingers but nodules are on left hand. he didnt show me that xray. So there u are I,m even more confused then ever lol :D

Cal66 profile image
Cal66 in reply to Chrt

I know how you feel, but I thought that he would have looked at both of your hands. My rheumatologist kept ignoring mine but on rare occasion that I agreed to see a senior reg diagnosed them and told me the name of them, mine don't go away they just grow painfully.

Chrt profile image
Chrt in reply to Cal66

He,s never looked at my hands Cal, the 1st time he had me put them together as you would in prayer, the other Dr there tried to help me but was told to let me do it myself, that was it. He,s never seen my toes, only looked at my ankles with the other doc pulling my socks down to my shoes & trousers up a bit. crazy if you ask me.

Mine have a red spot on them, like somebodies used a red marker pen on them but not painful anymore now they,ve calmed down & got back to *normal* When I get a 2nd opinion I,ll let you know whats said then :)

Cal66 profile image
Cal66 in reply to Chrt

He doesn't sound up to much good, what is his speciality? My rheumatologist deals mostly with lupus and runs a separate lupus clinic which is where u go, but not had an appointment since last July. I'm considering phoning his sec to see what is going on as since my op I'm having a flare. Good luck when you go for your second opinion and keep us posted.🦋

Chrt profile image
Chrt in reply to Cal66

Specialises in inflammatory arthritis, connective tissue disorders such as lupus, oe & fybro. Our appt last only 10mins its just not enough time plus its not f/f just video.

Gosh thats nearly a yr Cal think you should give em a ring always best to keep on top of these things even if only yletting them know you,re in a flare. Hope it goes soon. Thxs for good luck same to you too of course I,ll keep you updated :)

jaybirdxNHM profile image
jaybirdxNHM in reply to Haz58

I was diagnosed with Inflammatory nodular osteoarthritis, many yrs ago at the Horder Centre (arthritis centre). Seems a mixture , the nodules hurt intermittently,and grow slowly, but none have gone.Wish they would!!

Happy5 profile image
Happy5

Yes I get nodules come up my hands have some, seem to be from pressure in the area, along with damaged joints.

Some are on my elbows happened when I used crutches after THR they've reduced in size.

Lastly got one on the back of my heel not long come up, no idea why as I'm in remission with my RD.

I've got used to finding them and try to protect the area from pressure, to prevent them worsening.

Also Rhuemy and nurses never give feed back about them when I mention them, probably they don't have a solution for them.

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