Waiting diagnosis/meds

[Fenti]

Hi all, happy Saturday. Since March I have been experiencing dreadful aches and pains in my arms wrists shoulders and hands to the point I thought I'd broken my wrists. A trip to the doctor resulted in a referral to rheumatology and series of blood tests where it seemed my ESR and CRP were raised, by which time the aches and pains morphed into the most horrendous pain I'd ever experienced (even child birth) and I ended up in A&E begging for some sort of pain relief. The doctor prescribed a 4 day course of prednisolone 30mg per day and within hours I started to get relief. Once I'd stopped the steroid everything came back with a vegence..another trip to GP who reluctantly put me back on the steriod, 20mg per day with instruction to stop a few days before seeing the consultant rheumatologist on 29th June (last weekend)...by the time I saw the rheumatologist I was now in so much pain again, with swollen hands, ankles etc it was seriously affecting my ability to function. He ran some tests and booked me an ultrasound on my hands and wrists for 19th July. In the meantime he has stopped my anti inflammatory meds (neproxen) and steroids until he has diagnosed what I have. He is says it may be RA or could be polymyalgia rheumatica but I may not know for another few weeks. My question is ..I have some steroids, enough for 7 days at 20mg per day. Does anyone know If I could use them to give me some respite from the pain, prior to the ultrasound provided I stop them a good few days before? I'm getting desperate as I am so restricted on even the basics of functioning? Any advice would be most welcome

[KittyJ]

I’m sorry we can’t give medical advice or tell you what meds you can or can’t take. I’d call your GP or out of hours service and ask them. I hope you get some answers and treatment soon.

[AgedCrone]

You should ask your doctor. There may be a reason not to take them if you’re awaiting an ultra sound. That may sound harsh, but you need to demonstrate worst case scenario when you’re having any sort of test..

There maybe something you could be prescribed…but you need professional advice.

Fingers crossed fior you.

[Runrig01]

Personally, I wouldn’t. You risk masking inflammation that you need to show up on your scans. I would also avoid nsaids for the same reason.

[Fenti in reply to Runrig01]

To be fair I'm not sure why I asked the question I did, desperation I would guess ..I fully expected the advice I've received and of course you're all correct ...I've never had so much pain and my threshold is quite high . Sobbing on my way to bed last night ...I live in a town house and climbing the stairs is horrendous 😫 as were my arms and hands yesterday.

[Runrig01 in reply to Fenti]

Contact out of hours, they can provide stronger analgesics, that won’t impact inflammation.

[Cat-E]

So sorry you are having this awful pain, I was in tears to my medical team so often in those early days, I couldn't dress myself, get in or out of the bath without help, open a packet etc. I seriously was thinking that if this was the level of pain I was going to put up with then I didn't want to live 😞 But now a few months on I am doing well, so focus on the fact that things will get better. I begged my rheumatoid team for more steroids in the early days but they refused, you shouldn't have them often, they aren't good for you and do mask what is going on, however, that short term relief is amazing! It's awful that you have to wait for the scan but it's not too long now,make your life as easy as possible for the next couple of weeks. Also do ask about other pain killers, paracetamol etc that aren't anti inflammatory. Hope you get some relief soon 😌

[Gnarli]

My heart goes out to you, Fenti. I suspect all here have been where you are now and it sucks. You've received excellent advice already to which I cannot add much. Some of us find heat helps to alleviate pain while others swear by cold. There are plenty of heat/cold products out there but a simple bag of frozen peas (dedicated for the purpose) wrapped in a teatowel can soothe as can a bowl of hot water with Epsom salts. Wishing you well.

[Moulder]

I had to stop the anti inflammaties for a couple of week before the ultrasound because they needed to see the extent of the swelling and any damage.

Pain was bad in shoulders and wrists. They had me see a surgeon as the carpal tunnel in both wrists was so bad. Gp prescribe Tramadol which helped with getting some sleep

After the ultrasound I was put on Methotrexate for RA. After about a month the carpal tunnel had virtually gone and the pain was a lot easier.

That was 2 years ago. I’m still on the Methotrexate and just have Neproxin in case of flares. Normally paracetamol is enough.

If I where you I’d ask the GP for pain relief until you’ve had the ultrasound.

Hopefully your Ultrasound will lead to diagnosis.

[Fluffontoast]

So sorry to hear that. Sending you best wishes but maybe speak to your gp/rheumatologist again just in case?

[Sureshj]

I am prescribed 5mg prednisone for ever. I too get pain if I stop it. But it increases blood sugar level and it is important that be kept in control. I had to start insulin co control my sugar. I am able to live normal life. My doctor said you can go upto 20 mg. I did not feel the need.