palindromic Arthritic Rhuematism

[gussmithy]

I have been diagnosed as having Palindromic RA. I'd be grateful to hear from anyone else who suffers from this, apparently rare, condition. I'm particular interested to hear if they experience any pattern to their bouts of this, what eases the symptoms, etc.

[AgedCrone]

I was diagnosed with PA 20+ years ago….in fact I don,’t think it’s that rare.

I seemed to progress like many people similarly diagnosed and I continued to have really incapacitating palindromic episodes for a couple of years which then morphed into full blown Sero positive Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Thankfully I eventually settled on a successful medication …..& am now on Rtx infusions which enable me to live a reasonably normal life.

I hope you are just as fortunate.

[Peacox]

I was diagnosed with PA a few years ago. I had already been diagnosed as Seropositive RA, so I thought it odd. But there you go. So I guess I have both. I don’t think it’s that rare to have PA & then it develop into full blown RA, it seems to be a pathway. Good luck with it & your treatments.

[Mozza61]

Hi, yes I was diagnosed with PA 5 years ago it took some diagnosing as you know the symptoms are not always present. Unfortunately like others it progressed to full blown RA . However on the positive side mine is managed very well in fortnightly injections of Amgevita ..

[CagneysMum]

Hi.

As others have said above, I was initially diagnosed with Palindromic RA just over 4 years ago following a 5 month period where my shoulder joints and fingers would become swollen/painful and then quickly go after a couple of weeks. In fact my GP had thought it was a frozen shoulder initially.

Things went quiet for a few months and then suddenly over a period of 4 -6 weeks I went into a full body flare up (feet, ankles, knees, hands, wrists, shoulders, jaw) at which point I was rediagnosed as having full blown Sero Positive RA.

12 -18 month intensive treatment path followed this diagnosis including methotrexate and Amjevita … and I’ve been largely pain free and without flare ups for 2 years now 👍

[janmary]

My sero positive RA started as a palindromic type - probably slowly over a few years - then very acutely, and eventually changed to a more ‘classic’ RA. I’m not sure its that unusual - just rarely diagnosed as symptoms are temporary.

[Sunshinereturns]

I was diagnosed with RA then after a year additionally with PA. I found the symptoms of PA extremely hard to manage, with all the pain jumping about. Medication is the same for both conditions and the highest possible dose of methotrexate controlled my PA though I need additional meds for the RA stiffness in my hands.

[vonniesims]

I too started with PA which developed eventually sero neg RA

[Grams2020]

After having a few swollen finger joints in 2020, my rheumatologist diagnosed PA. I haven’t had any episodes since. I am monitored every 6 months with blood tests and appts with annual X-rays. Not on any meds atm

[medway-lady]

I was palindromic which just means come and goes then comes back and stays. It’s treated the same and I thought it was common.

[Beviejon1]

I was diagnosed with this 30 yrs ago.I as old by one rheumatologist that it would morph into RA. I have RA as well as the PR . 2 nights ago had one of the worse episodes ever. When the pain gets so bad now for some reason I feel like I’m going to pass out.I hat e PR and wouldn’t wish it on my worse enemy!

[quatjen]

Hi gussmithy,

I was also suffering with PA for at least 8 years it was sporadic and could flare up with out warning, couple of days back to normal, could be any joint, hands elbows neck shoulders hips, feet hand’s wrists, before finally diagnosis with full on RA sera positive,

I put off going to doctors till I could no longer manage, then finally had a full on flare for 3 months and covid took hold and the world stopped, two weeks in to lockdown I was lucky to be seen and started treatment and steroids, 3 years down the line I’m officially in remission 😊

Wish you all the best of luck and hopefully you’ll find something that works for you xx

[Karengreen66]

I was diagnosed Seronegative Palindromic Inflammatory Arthritis about 8 years ago now and hand have Fibromyalgia which is very similar. It’s strange how we are all told slightly different things, I was told it was a form of RA by my consultant. The treatment I’ve been given is Sulphasalazine and Hydroxychloroquine but unfortunately it doesn’t leave me pain free. They’re restricted in what they can prescribe as only one of my kidneys functions. Next step is methotrexate for me and I just hope it helps me have many more comfortable days. Good luck with your treatment and I hope you feel better more often than not