Vey swollen & painful hands & fingers

[Titchyj]

Hi, I was diagnosed last December with sero negative RA an OA, scans of hands show inflammation I have tried MTX for 12 weeks, but too many side effects so I am now on Sulphasalazine 4 tablets a day for 11 weeks. There has been no difference since December, in fact my fingers are getting worse, both with pain and swelling Seen OT, have splints and edema gloves, they do help with the pain a little, but not to any real extent.

I take pregabalin 50mg in the mornings and 150mg evenings, I am on 8 paracetamol per day, I am unable to tolerate stronger pain medication, I am am also taking prednisolone 7.5 mg per day. I am diabetic and my GP is not happy with giving me steroid injection as it shoots diabetes up considerably. I waited all day Friday for a phone call from GP as to whether I could up my steroids to 10mg, but didn't get one. Rheumy nurse rang to ask if he had called, she was waiting for consultant to suggest something else, as all he had suggested so far I am unable to take, as he should know if he bothered to read my file, which he obviously hadn't. I have had to stop taking naproxen because it affects my asthma

I am at the end of my tether as to what to do, the pain and swelling is excruciating in my hands and fingers.

Just needed to get that off my chest, sorry for the rant.

Jan

[mitziblue]

Jan, so sorry sweetheart!!! I have fibromyalgia and other health issues and have lost most of my strength in my hands. I pray they can find something to help you. It's very frustrating when our bodies don't cooperate with us any longer. Maybe you could see a pain specialist. They have really helped me and believe me I can't take most medicines, either I'm now allergic or they have side effects that are worse than dealing with the constant pain. I feel for you honey. Hang in there, hoping this helps!!! xxx Mitzi

[Titchyj in reply to mitziblue]

Thanks for your reply, sorry it's taken so long to get back to you. My GP got e mail from consultant to up my sulfasalazine to 5 for one week and then to 6 from there on.. I also got steroid injection, but hasn't made much difference as of yet. I too have Fibromyalgia and suffer with this also.

Hope you are ok.

Jan

[mitziblue in reply to Titchyj]

Have you tried Opana ER ? It's really helped make my life bearable. Hope this helps sweetheart!!! xxx Mitzi

[Angal62]

I to have swelling and pain in my right hand and fingers first thing in the morning all my joints are stiff it takes me at lest an hour to get up iam so depressed know one understands me ,

[Angal62]

The last few months I have pain in my right arm when I try to lift it the pain goes up to my neck ,

[Titchyj in reply to Angal62]

So sorry you are suffering too, I hope your doc can sort something out for you soon. I am seeing my Rheumy consultant next Thursday so I am hoping he can advise what the next step will be. Good luck

Jan

[Angal62]

Thank you for you reply I hope you get some answers to your problems iam seeing so many doctors at the moment I dont know if iam coming or going I just wish I wasn't in so much pain I feel exhausted ,