Need advise

Hey Chart:

(((hugs))) I'm sorry to hear that you're still having so much pain and suffering so. To answer your questions, yes you can have RA in your hips. It also can be in the shoulders too. I don't know if you knew it or not but I too have RA in addition to my lupus, fibro, and leukemia.

I know with RA in the hips you'll have severe pain, swelling and pain down into your thigh area and groin. I'm going to take a guess and say that you may also have osteoarthritis in your lower back. I know I finally insisted an MRI be done. I was told I have severe osteoarthritis in my lover spine, moderate in the middle and mild up in the upper neck area. I also have it in my right big toe, according to my rheumy all I can do is continue on with my MTX which is at now 40mg SubQ weekly.

There's NOTHING that can be doing for the osteoarthritis. Maybe the next time you see your Rheumy you could ask him about it and see what he says. I know you're coming off the MTX and I haven't seen what you'll use next. Please know that you're in my prayers and I hope that your pain lessens really soon. Hope you have a good weekend and be careful and try not to over do it this weekend ok.

Hugs,
Barbara

Good Morning C,
Hope that you are feeling better. I have RA and sore hips too. My Rheumy says that hips are something else that the pain in the hips is not RA. I don't know how she knows that ....she has not run any tests to find out. However her main point is that RA almost always attacks the small joints first and the hips are one of the last joints....not sure if this helps.
My hip pain comes and goes, and with it comes back pain. I otherwise have a happy back! Hip pain is awful. I plan on having my Rheumy refer me to another Dr. to evaluate and treat my hip pain. I do find that rest helps. I hope that this helps you .....

Lemon

Aw Chartreux, I'm sorry that you are feeling so bad. I'm not too impressed with your Rheumy however. I was taken off Mtx, Rituxan
and Morphine last spring since they were killing me. My Rheumy was frustrated and sad that he had run out of tricks and suggests but after 31 years of RA, that's life. He never treated me unkindly.

The hips can definitely be affected by RA. I mentioned here before
that my hips were the first joints attacked by RA. I like to be different!

The hip pain was so severe in my groin area(lower hip) that I fell backward and my MIL caught me. I didn't know what it was, of course. A few months later, 2 of my fingers were in pain, hot and swollen, then later my right shoulder. It was intermittent through that year. Then the next year, it hit both sides and more joints. I was dxd. then. I've had RA in my neck for more years than I care
to count. It's sore again tonight, of course.

I nuke some bean bags and put them under my knees, around my neck and anywhere else it hurts. When I go to sleep also. I'd suggest that you get into a tub of nice warm water with some ebson salts but I can't get into or out of a tub by myself, so you probably can't either. A warm shower with your feet soaking in warm water and ebson salts may be helpful. It works for me sometimes.

I was dxd. with OA in my lower and mid back about 8 years ago. It isn't bothering me too much yet.

Your appointment is in September? Geez! I was wondering if they could put you on the cancellation list? It worked for me with another very busy Specialist last year. I got in 3 months earlier than what the actual appointment was. I kept my original appointment just in case the cancellation way didn't work out but thankfully I didn't need it.

Well, I'm glad that you don't have the Big C. That's a relief! BTW, We Care Chartreux! Wishing you many bearable days.

You're Welcome Chartreux! :)

Oh a hot tub/spa sure would be wonderful. But yes, it would be a pain installing and moving it.

"going from Hurricane area to Tornado area".
Well gee, what a choice. A couple of tough decisions that you have to make there. Hopefully, you and your Family never get hit with either disaster.

Sorry to hear about the cancellation list not being available for you. Perhaps you should just get another Rheumy.

Holy Moly, we haven't even had our strawberries growing in the fields yet except in green houses. Blueberries don't come out here until August. I love berries. Enjoy your day!

Hey Chart:

(((gentle hugs))) I'm sorry you're feeling so down. I know this is hard to live with I have been dealing with auto immune issues forever. Like I mentioned in my post I have both RA and Lupus. Then add on my fibro and leukemia and life is just a party here for me.

I'm sorry that the medications really bother your stomach and you are unable to take them. When you said you were up to .4 on the MTX, were you giving that in shot form? If so, did they prescribe anti nausea medication? If they did, which one did they give you.

Have you tried any of the the other infusion types of medication. Like Remicade or Orencia? Both of these medications can be given thru an infusion and it would by pass your stomach like you mentioned. It sounds as if your Rheumy isn't the best and has a serious attitude problem. I'm sorry that you have to wait so long to see him again. I think I'd try to find someone else too. I've been thru a bunch Rheumys the military Doctors are assigned to you and that's what you get period. Sometimes they will let you get a second opinion, but normally it's hard to but it can be done.

I hope your therapist helps in some way and things start to improve. I know how you're feeling like NO ONE CARES about you. I CARE about YOU, and YOU ARE ALWAYS GREAT TO EVERYONE. Keep fighting Chart you have many folks that care about you and support you. You hang on tight to the rope and I'll encouraged everyone to help me pull you up out of this feeling so bad.

I hope you have a good night and if you're not asleep yet, I hope sleep comes soon. Hang in there and many prayers are headed your way.

Hugs,
Barbara

Hi there.  I've always had hip pain that tends to flare when the rest of my joints flare.  And it was one of the first joints to be impacted by RA.  I am not usual, though.  My shoulders and hips hurt first.

Poor Char, make sure you bring your x rays to your specialist so he can see the damage.

I have anti nausea meds which I use if I'm feeling sick from meds, it didn't seem to worry my GP to prescribe it for me why wouldn't you take that before you have the mtx. Take it an hour before and hopefully it'll help.

Unless it dosn't go with something else you're on???

Any joint can be affected by RA but some are more common than others. My rheumy told me it usually affects your neck rather than your lower back. And your knees rather than your hips, but being a systemic disease its in your system, so if you have swelling around a joint it will cause it to decay eventually. Thats why they try to get rid of the swelling and inflammation to stop the decay.

Just keep pestering the specialist and hopefully he'll squish you in some where. Mine will always make space for me if I'm in trouble.

Sorry to hear about your hips,

Golitho

I have had Psoriatic Arthritis for over 30 years. I have been on MTX, then Humira.
I believe everybody, regardless of having chronic illness or not, should carefully examine their current diet.
I also believe, unless your physician advises you not to, people should engage in some form of exercise on a regular basis. Whatever level is appropriate for you. Stop for flares if you have arthritis.

Be a skeptic. Don't believe everything you read. Do your own research I detailed my 30 year journey with Psoriatic Arthritis, osteo ,Duprytrens , many other types & 2 hip implants. Mabe my hands are curled maybe my back is toast... learning how to move properly with disabilities gave my mind and body the power to say YES that this disease is not going to demolish my life into mush. In reality I decided I deserved a better life. Since a teen I have researched this disease. Always looking for a cure. The best treatment over the years is staying in shape . Keep core muscles & tendons strong to support bones.

Webmd & mayoclinic.com they each have excellent advice for every test and symptoms for this disease, supplements and diet. Very helpful to sort out professional help. And all the issues expressed here.

Go for it...take charge of building strength one day at a time. It's your body. If it hurts therapy can teach how to move and build strength for UR needs. I have experienced starting build up of body strength from scratch several times after hip replacements ... Other surgeries.

Flexing muscles is key along with stretches. See the many programs online available for you. Only you can make the decision to feel better.

I am here to tell you there were times I almost gave up. Once I decided that I was going to get thru the pain and agony I did. It came slowly but today I have better endurance than most my age. Disabilities is in the eye of the beholder! Recharge those batteries.. . Get movin!

Good luck!