swollen joints

[volvox45]

A couple of the joints on my left hand have become quite swollen and painful, but how do I know whether it's boring old arthritis or an effect of the limited systemic scleroderma, which is my diagnosis? And does it matter??

[Mirv]

Hi, I have the same and get pains in finger joints especially my thumb, sometimes for no apparent reason and then it seems to go till the next time. I initially thought all my aches and pains were related to the menopause but turned out to be scleroderma. Whatever is causing your pain doesn't matter but you are in pain and if it is too much then raise with gp or consultant whoever you can access within a reasonable time/or know what to do. Hope you get someone to listen and provide some help.

[LucyJean]

Hi there, without examining your joints it is hard to say which is responsible. Usually with osteoarthritis there is pain but not too much swelling, and the pain tends to target the same joints all the time, and is pretty much always linked to having used those joints a lot. Pain associated with the scleroderma tends to be more inflammatory, with redness, heat and swelling present in and around the joints. Often it will come and go without warning and for no obvious reason.

It is a good idea if it doesn't settle to speak to your GP or Consultant Rheumatologist (or the nursing team if there is one). If it doesn't settle it might be related to a flare of your condition and you might need further advice/treatment.

All my best

Lucy xxx

[volvox45 in reply to LucyJean]

Thank you both. Needless to say it doesn't fit either description as it's the same joints (left middle and little fingers, so definitely not used much as I'm right-handed), swollen but not red, pain all the time, and gradually getting worse – no remission. Of course I will ask the rheumatology consultant when I next see her, but that won't be till May at the earliest. I tend to stay away from the GP because of the usual – impossible to get appt, not seeing same GP twice in a row, and GP not having a clue about this condition!

On the other hand, I've just actually though to feel the affected joint and it is very warm, so SSc is probably the cause. Thanks for the guidance!

[RevaMarie1965 in reply to volvox45]

My joints ache randomly. Some ache more often the other.You can have blood tests to see what's going on.Osteoporis shows up on a DexaScan.My bones are so bad.I fractured a T12 tackling my cat so he didn't run outside. I had a Kyroplasty done.And I take Tymlos every day now to increase bone density.