Hi allHope today is going as well as it can for everyone.
When I saw the rheumatologist in April, his subsequent letter diagnosed ' seronegative inflammatory arthritis associated with osteoarthritis ". (As well as fibromyalgia and central sensitization syndrome )
I assumed this was 2 separate things ( xray showed OA in hips )
A nurse couldn't explain this and I have yet to have a follow up appt.
So I saw my GP yesterday who explained it as actually being an unusual arthritis known as inflammatory osteoarthritis. I can't find much out about this at all.
Anyone help with information? Thanks
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hazelcats
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Yes, it generally affects the distal joints of the fingers, and is tested with nsaids, rather than Dmards which are used for rheumatoid arthritis. Here’s a link which explains it:
Thanks,that was an I interesting link to read. I admit to being confused by exactly what is going on. Was diagnosed last year with OA in hips, then fibromyalgia in Dec,then inflammatory arthritis in April.My hands, like in that link, are most certainly the worse bit for pain and grip etc, yet I get pain all over my body.
So hips I assume is ' simple OA ' and the all over body pain, stiffness and chronic fatigue and severe hand pain I am assuming is a crossover from the fibro and inflammation.
I hope to be able to get further clarification from a rheumy nurse appt next week as regard to the best medical route to take.
The different diagnosis don't help us do they? I want to know what is the best meds to be on to prevent further damage and hopefully some pain relief. Thanks for the reply
Answer: For most people familiar with osteoarthritis (OA), the term “inflammatory osteoarthritis” sounds like an oxymoron. That’s because we typically think of arthritis as being either inflammatory (such as rheumatoid arthritis [RA]) or non-inflammatory (such as OA).
However, there is a form of OA that is clearly inflammatory. It typically comes on suddenly in middle-aged women, affecting the last (closest to the fingernail) and middle joints of the fingers. For someone unfamiliar with inflammatory osteoarthritis, it can easily be confused with other forms of inflammatory arthritis that affect the fingers, such as RA or psoriatic arthritis.
If you have sudden pain and swelling of the joints in your fingers, it’s important to get a proper diagnosis, because treatment for this inflammatory form of OA is different from treatment for RA or typical OA. Inflammatory osteoarthritis is generally treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and, very rarely, corticosteroid injections directly into the affected joints. The disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, such as methotrexate and leflunomide (Arava) prescribed for RA are not appropriate for this type of arthritis.
A physician who is familiar with your clinical, laboratory and X-ray findings will be able to provide the proper diagnosis and therapy for this condition.
Thank you. This was one of the few articles I could find online. I did read elsewhere that a trial shows using MTX could slightly slow the damages progression. But of course doesn't seem to touch the pain.Runrigs link also used the term oxymoron.my concern is of course I am getting g the right treatment for the condition.
I need a former response or explanation from my rheumatologist,i have a nurse's appt next week.
The honest the pain in my hands is unbearable at times. The fibromyalgia response to pain amplifies it Too.
I have pain in my DIPs that my consultant called osteoarthritis, but it came on suddenly and at exactly the same time as RA. I find it difficult to believe that this was coincidence but perhaps the 'inflammatory osteoarthritis' diagnosis may fit. If RA caused a sudden, massive inflammation, perhaps it kick started inflammatory osteoarthritis. I guess I need to know now whether NSAIDS are preventative or just to keep the pain at bay. I don't tend to take any as I very quickly get acid reflux and I'm loathed to start taking lansoprazole again. It will be a discussion point when I next see my consultant/nurse.
Hi GottarelaxSo sounds a bit like what's going on with me. Have my head in a bit of a spin with it all. The hand xrays showed osteoarthritis and the hand scans showed up the inflammation for me.
I am on methotrexate and naproxen, and a single low dose cocodamol in the mornings.
I also get gastric problems, with a hiatus hernia, and my gp has just switched me from omeprazole to lansoprazole to see if that is a better option for me.
I'm certainly no expert but I assume the mtx is a preventative to slow the inflammation damage and hopefully lessen pain ( no sign of that yet ) and my assumption again is NSAIDS are for pain relief only??
As I say I'm a complete novice at all this so hope someone with better knowledge\experience that me can clarify.
NSAIDS are anti-inflammatory so there is a possibility that taken consistently they may reduce non-RA damage. I'm just not sure whether it improves long term joint health. If it does, I guess I'll consider them, otherwise, at the moment I can cope with the pain which seems to be generally dull with sharper pains every so often that last a few hours.
Yes the naproxen is an NSAID so should help also to reduce inflammation and pain. No idea about them being beneficial in reducing the joint damage.Glad your pain is manageable unfortunately mine is 24 hrs constant stiffness pain. It does not cease for a single minute. Fibromyalgia doesnt help as part of its make up can be to intensify pain as well as having its own pain.
Tbh I have found once osteoarthritis …whatever label is attached to it….starts appearing it becomes an unwelcome visitor in other areas.
Ages ago re OA in the hands I was told by an osteopath that vigorous massage gripping the fingers individually gives quick relief. It does seem to work…not permanently of course…but it gives a brief pause & the pain does ease.
As for medication ….why not get your nurse to have a word with your rheumatologist…but I honestly don’t think there is anything like the DMards we have for RA for OA…..it’s just whatever analgesic gives you relief…so if you have a painkiller that works for you…ask if you can try that.
Thank you, that was my thinking too. I need a follow up appt with the consultant anyway. I was him once in April but nothing since. So my first instance is to speak with the nurse.I find ice packs helps temporarily and bending the fingers into odd positions.
Good morning. If you would like support, information or just someone to talk to, our NRAS helpline is open every weekday from 9.30am to 4.30pm nras.org.uk/helpline/ 0800 298 7650. Or have a look at our website nras.org.uk. Kind regards.
Thank you so much Helen. I have benefited previously by speaking with the wonderful volunteers.As my diagnosis seems to be changing I may well phone after speaking with a rheumatologist nurse tomorrow if I need further help.
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