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One hand vs. both

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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Posted 5/17/2007 11:20 AM (GMT 0)
Hey everyone. Just wondering, everywhere i read that RA affects both sides of the body,like mirroring. Well i have so much more trouble with my right hand vs. my left hand. Like right now,my knuckles on the right are so swollen and stiff,that i cant see the knuckles. The left hand is kinda stiff, but not so bad at all. I do tend to still baby the left hand since my surgery, but i didn't think that would make a difference. So, whats up with this? They look like two different peoples hands right now. Oh and the sore one is kinda red and warm too, but not the left. (I am right handed) Kibbles
Posted 5/17/2007 1:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hi kibbles,
I'm new here, only been at this a short time, but my doctor says it's been going on for a while now. If you don't mind a new one speaking up, just wanted to share the way mine seemed to work in my hands. My right hand was the first one to get hit, my fingers and wrist really bad. It semed to stay there for a while before it moved into my left. Maybe even a month or so apart. They both didn't get it at once. Same with my feet, shoulders and knees, now hips. Seems like once it hit one place, I knew it would be on the other side shortly.
I see you are on mtx. How long have you been on that? Did you have any trouble adjusting? Momto3 and Yalinda have been helping me through that part, I've only had one small, small dose and YUCK! Don't really want to do the next one.
Hope you're feeling better!
Posted 5/17/2007 2:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Kibbles...

I have that problem too, especially if I am using my right hand more. When I type etc, my knuckles on my right hand will begin to swell or while driving my right knee will always swell more because I am using it to break with. I think this is normal. Although if I am working out in the treadmill, which I haven't done in months, both knees would swell up.

I would say this is normal!
Posted 5/17/2007 11:57 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much you two. I was getting kinda worried. Thats it exactly!! I type a bunch and grip a needle 7 hours a day with the right hand. I also type with the left,but i guess it's like you say. At least my knees and ankles all go at the same time LOL! I've been on the MTX for about 4 weeks now. Sick tummy and sleepy the day i take my dose. Can't get enough sleep anymore either. I go to bed at 8pm get up at 4 am, but am ready for a nap by 8 am ! I yawn all day, am very emotional, but that is probably a lot to do with the prednisone too. Tomorrow is rheumy appt. so i'll let ya'll know how it goes. Thanks rheumy family!! Kibbles

Posted 5/18/2007 1:16 PM (GMT 0)
When I had my most serious attacks, it would hit move from joint to joint, as the days past. I don't think this is uncommon, but is sure is frustrating.
I would rather it hit everything at once, then go away.

... Craig
Posted 5/18/2007 6:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Kibbles,
How are you doing today? Did you have your doctor's appt yet? This traveling band I have going on in my body seems to be in full gear today...especially the left side. But, we have some fronts moving in, maybe that's why I'm a little more achy. Trying to gear myself up forthe next dose of mtx tomorrow, not looking forward to that at all.
Before this, I used to get up at 5:30am and spend some time each morning at the gym before the daycare children came. Haven't been up to that for a while now, keep hoping I will be able to again. I really miss the exercise and the people there. You said earlier that you grip a needle 7 hours a day..what do you do? The way my hands feel, can't even imagine being able to do that!! But, a friend of mine is a nurse, and she said it's real important to keep exercising my hands, even when I don't feel like it. I love to cook and bake, and that has been a little difficult most days, but I keep trying.
Well, must close, let us know how the appt went. Hope you have a nice weekend!!
Posted 5/18/2007 9:38 PM (GMT 0)
Kibbles....

I hear you about the mtx!!! the fatigue and sick tummy is a part of it isn't it? How long does yours last? mine has lasted for about 3 days or so...
Posted 5/18/2007 10:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all, yes had the rheumy appt. today.
She wasn't happy with the swelling and is haveing me double my MTX dose for the next month, and then come back to see her, where we will talk about Remicade(sp) or embriel(sp) I still have to stay on the prednisone too.None of this sounds like fun. Can't imagine having to have double dose of mtx either. Hopefully i won't get too sick from it. Hope your all doing good!! Kibbles
Posted 5/21/2007 2:20 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Kibbles,
Just making the rounds checking up on everybody...how are you doing? Did you double the mtx? Hope you did ok with it and had a good weekend! How much do you take? Sure hope your hands feel better This weekend actually went much better for me, feeling hopeful that I'll be able to handle the mtx afterall. From what I keep reading from everyone, just takes quite awhile to kick in.
Chat with you later..have a good day!
Posted 5/21/2007 11:50 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Babyplace,
No I haven't doubled up on the MTX yet, that will be this comming thursday evening. I take 20 mg now once a week, so this thurs. will be 40. I know it takes awhile to kick in but in the meantime this is hard. I hate the fact that what they have to give us is so caustic for our bodies. I worry about Lymphoma and all the junk that can come with these meds. I ask if it is worth the risk with all the possible side effects. If anyone can shed light on this for me ,i'd greatly appreciate the input. Kibbles
Posted 5/22/2007 2:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hi again,
I hear you about the worries about the meds, it gets a little scary...I finally just had to quit reading about them, everybody on this site seems to do well with them, and they have been such a great source of info. It helps me so much to read what they have to say, brings a lot of comfort to know you are not alone. I wish there was some other choice too, but on the other hand, I know I can't keep on like this, so I guess you have to just trust that the docs are doing the best they can for us. I don't think it would be normal NOT to be a bit scared and nervous about all of this, especially in the beginning. The people I've "met" on this site have been so great about anwering questions and sharing experiences, I feel like I have the best of both worlds! Good doctors, and a great support system!!
Hope you're having a great day!
Posted 5/22/2007 8:38 PM (GMT 0)
40 mg! wow i think that is high??????????r u taking 16 pills? a shot? how do u take the mtx?
have others heard of that high of a dose?????

u know i dont want to jinx it but i think the combo of mtx and enbrel is working for me? good luck.
Posted 5/22/2007 10:01 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry Yalinda I was wrong about the dosage. Each MTX is 2.5 mg and i now take 4 of them so that would be 10mg once a week. I will be doubling that on thursday to 20mg a week. Its the pred that 5mg each. Didn't mean to scare anyone lol! I talked to the pharmacist today and he was able to drop everything but the Enbrel and is doing just fine !He also is RA . Thats what i hope the Dr. will do with me next month. She mentioned enbrel adn remicade, but she was leaning toward the enbrel. My husband should be home in 3-4 weeks, so i know that will automatically make me feel better :) I had to stay home from work today cause i was up all nite with my left shoulder in a flare. Throbing like crazy!!!! Couldn't even lay down, i was so tired that i was getting loopy. i stayed up til 6;15am, called my boss, took some ibuprophen and stood in a scalding shower for tweny minutes, then sat propped on the couch until i nodded off. I can lift it about a foot from my side now, so i imagine it will be calmed down by tomorrow morning for work. All take care!! Kibbles
Posted 5/23/2007 1:36 AM (GMT 0)
hew! i was worried u were going on too high of a dose! glad that is cleared up. i can say i am doing well thus far on enbrel but time will tell
Posted 5/23/2007 4:47 AM (GMT 0)
Kibbles! awe...so so sorry for what you're going through.

with RA...even though it is "bilateral" in nature regarding it's manifestations; there are joints that are "worse" simply due to overuse.  and by "overuse" i mean...just by using one hand or arm more than the other.

similar to over-stressing.

 

my right hand (the 1st finger joints especially) is brutal! oy! both hands are painful...but it's always the right hand that's a little worse.

 

hang in there Joy.

:-)  

erin

Posted 5/28/2007 12:10 PM (GMT 0)
H Kibbles,
Just wondering how you are doing? Did the new dose of mtx go ok?
Posted 5/28/2007 12:32 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Baby,

Well i think i did really good with the new mtx dose. i didn't get sick but my breasts got soooo sore. Don't know what that was all about. I've had a couple of small flares since i've been on this new dose, but i figure it takes awhile to kick in. I changed my linen yesterday, and had to do a couple of larges comforters, woke up this morning with low back and shoulder aching like crazy, but i just took some ibuprophen and my other meds, so i hope they will kick in soon. I'm just taking it one day at a time. How you doing?? Very good i hope. Take care, Kibbles

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