IS THIS THE START OF MY RA ?

[WHL67]

This week my Pred came down from 55mg to 50mg and within a day or so the fingers on my right hand had started to seize up and go all stiff, this has happened on a few occasions this week until last night when I could not move them normally I had to physically manipulate them with my other hand. For about 5 mins the pain was intense then it all settled down.

Is this a sign that RA is lurking in the background and that I should go back to 55mg?

I've not experienced anything like this before.

Any advice would be welcome .. thanks.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Not necessarily at all - and no, don't raise that pred dose again unless you have serious GCA symptoms. That high a dose of pred and wouldn't be used for RA anyway.

I assume you are on so much for a diagnosis of GCA? There is no real relation between it and RA. PMR can be a presenting symptom for LORA but initially it would be treated as PMR unless there are joint problems to suggest it was RA. You should speak to your GP or, better still, the rheumy nurse if you have one.

[WHL67 in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks PMRpro yes I’ve been diagnosed GCA hence high dose. It’s good to know that there is no relation between the two so I will not increase on my Pred..thanks for that!!