New Member Seeking Advice

Hello everyone. I was diagnosed with JRA (juvenile rheumatoid arthritis) when I was 16. I am now 24 and it seems like nothing is working to control my RA. My first two years having RA weren't that bad until I noticed my right elbow started to lock up. I made an appointment with my rheumatologist and he told me that there was nothing he could do. Since I had no knowledge about RA, I figured he was right and of course I was very upset. My rheumatologist would prescribe me a lot of pain pills that were very hard on my stomach. He eventually put me on methotrexate taking 10 pills a week.

When I was 18, I was walking toward a friend of mine and I felt this sharp pain in my right knee. I went to take a step and I felt it again. The pain ceased but the next morning I woke up and my whole knee was extremely swollen. It looked like someone took a bat and slapped me on the knee. I made another appointment with my rheumatologist and he told me I had a blood clot in my knee and said that I'd never walk again. He also said that he had a friend who had the same problems as me and he still goes fishing with him. I was an athlete who loved being outdoors and I had never heard anything like this before. I visited ER and they tried to drain this "blood clot" but there was nothing. I never received any X-rays on my knee. I immediately fell into depression and stopped taking care of myself because I felt like I had nothing left. My right knee is fused. I am not sure what that means but I've gotten so many different opinions on my case that I am not sure which one is true or false. My pain specialist tells me I have flexion contractures.

My right knee opens up to about 90 degrees. My right elbow is the same but my left elbow opens a little more than that. My pain specialist says to see an orthopedic to see if they can do surgery. I have seen an orthopedic before and they said there was nothing they could do. I'm sorry that this is so long but I was wondering if anyone knew anything about surgery and/or flexion contractures. Any advice would be helpful.

Thank you,

RAbies

Welcome,I as well am sorry to hear that you have been having such a hard time of it.I agree that you need a new Doctor and to keep looking untill you find one that is willing and able to help you.

I see you mention that you were on Methotrexate pill's are you still on them?They cam be very hard on the ol'e gut.I was on shot form for over two year's but due to raised liver levels and the fact the I had to go on 6MP because I have crohns as well as OA,RA,AS,Sjerens as well.

There are newer meds out there now that are wounderful and have shown to be helping people with this.

There is Remicade and it is given by IV in a clinic or hospital and it has done wounders for alot of people and then you have Humira (I'm on this)and it's sister drug Emberel and both of these are shot form and they come all ready pre-filled so all you have to do is give your self a shot.

I do hope that you find a Doctor that can help and get you to the point you are feeling better and I wish you much luck.Please continue to post you are welcome any time.