Coffee Club

[aart]

My one finger is twice its normal size and purple at the knuckle.

Sounds more like an injury.
Best of cLuck!
Only thing a doc ever did for me was prescribe Celebrex, which was amazing!

 

[microchick]

Meg, at least you will know what is going on and that is the bulk of the torture, not knowing. It took them a year to partially hash out what is wrong with me, moderate to severe Osteoarthritis. But I also have a rheumatic aspect to my joint pain that they call Serum Negative RA. I spent years not knowing. Now I can cope with whatever my joints throw at me. I don't like it but I can cope with it.

@Shadrach, we have that problem here in the US also. No docs want to go to rural areas after graduation because they are up to their eyeballs in school debt and have to go to the big cities to make enough money to pay them off. And that is where the money is.

 

[Meg-in-MT]

Sounds more like an injury.
Best of cLuck!
Only thing a doc ever did for me was prescribe Celebrex, which was amazing!

Unfortunately, no injury and no explanation for this one. It happened 6-8 yrs ago, same finger, edema, spent a bunch of money for them to tell me it was edema and didn't know why. This time the finger is the last of problems in this bunch. One foot swelled up with severe pain, then the other and could hardly walk, now it's in the wrist and knuckles (no swelling just pain). Tested for RA and uric acid, both negative. Have been eating advil like candy to keep the inflammation down

Only one rheumatologist in town and they aren't taking patients. He's going to check with two others about 1.5 hrs away. But even then, he said he has to present the case to them and see if they'll take me. Seems extreme...might talk to him about an orthopedic? Any suggestions?

ETA: And thanks, Aart

 

[Meg-in-MT]

Meg, at least you will know what is going on and that is the bulk of the torture, not knowing. It took them a year to partially hash out what is wrong with me, moderate to severe Osteoarthritis. But I also have a rheumatic aspect to my joint pain that they call Serum Negative RA. I spent years not knowing. Now I can cope with whatever my joints throw at me. I don't like it but I can cope with it.

@Shadrach, we have that problem here in the US also. No docs want to go to rural areas after graduation because they are up to their eyeballs in school debt and have to go to the big cities to make enough money to pay them off. And that is where the money is.

Do you take something for it? I just don't have a clue about this stuff. Have been reading and reading trying to find some kind of remedy. Anti-inflammatory diet? That's all I can come up with.

 

[aart]

Boy, Meg, I have no clue.
6-8 years is a long time.
Could be a plethora of things all combined.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Is it just 1 finger Meg ? seems injury not arthritis we can only hope

 

[Meg-in-MT]

I hear ya, it's just weird. Hopefully get'er figured soon and it'll be no biggy.

 

[microchick]

Do you take something for it? I just don't have a clue about this stuff. Have been reading and reading trying to find some kind of remedy. Anti-inflammatory diet? That's all I can come up with.

They have me taking Prolia injections for the osteo along with egg shell membrane and vitamin D3 as suppliments. I hate the prolia as it comes with a wealth of side effects but not as bad as the Methotrexate that they had me on for 8 months for the rheumatic aspect. For pain I use Ultram along with extra strength tylenol which I have to keep under 3 grams per day.

I do the inflammatory diet which I have to admit does help and take sour cherry extract capsules along with flaxseed oil and omega oil for inflammation.

Meg do you have a history of gout in your family or have they ever tested you for gout?

Basically I do pretty good if I don't do anything but what fun is that? Plsu my life style and personality does't allow me to sit by and watch life pass me by.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Sure hope so purple is later stage bruise

 

[Meg-in-MT]

Is it just 1 finger Meg ? seems injury not arthritis we can only hope

Yep, just the one that is swollen. Started about a month or so ago and just continues to get worse. No pain in that joint, though?

They have me taking Prolia injections for the osteo along with egg shell membrane and vitamin D3 as suppliments. I hate the prolia as it comes with a wealth of side effects but not as bad as the Methotrexate that they had me on for 8 months for the rheumatic aspect. For pain I use Ultram along with extra strength tylenol which I have to keep under 3 grams per day.

I do the inflammatory diet which I have to admit does help and take sour cherry extract capsules along with flaxseed oil and omega oil for inflammation.

Meg do you have a history of gout in your family or have they ever tested you for gout?

Basically I do pretty good if I don't do anything but what fun is that? Plsu my life style and personality does't allow me to sit by and watch life pass me by.

Do you take the injection once a month? That sucks about the side effects. I'm not a medication or a doctor lover, but I especially hate needles I'll look into those other supplements. I've been taking a handful based on my research on the subject, but not much to report there. Thanks for taking the time to list what you do.

No history of gout, but they did a blood test for uric acid. From what I read, just like the RA, it may or may not show up on a blood test.

If I don't move I feel fine haha. Twisting my wrist wrong is a killer. I wanted to puke trying to put on a serpentine belt yesterday. Not a lot of room to move and you've gotta twist around. Don't mean to whine! Just frustrated with it.