tenosynovitus anyone?

My body of course decided to continue this flare despite all the meds my rheumy is throwing at me. I'm trying so hard to not let it get to me. I had my first infusion of infixamab last Friday which went well but didn't do much for my pain yet. Next one is next Tuesday, so cross your fingers I get some sort of response.

Saw my rheumy again yesterday and she tells me my wrists now have tenosynovitis. Seemingly it is common in people with RA to swell along the tendon sheaths. Has anyone any experience of it? If the inflixamab doesn't work, she can get these injected under ultrasound but it sounds as if fusion is the long term answer. It sounds so drastic and not something as an artist I want to contemplate...  

She removed the fluid from my knees and injected them both with cortisone, I'm still a bit stiff but wonderfully pain free today in my knees. My feet are getting quite swollen too but the prednisone I'm taking orally seems to have taken the edge off the pain there. So slowly chipping away at the pain just my wrists and elbows that swallow me up with the bone gnawing pain now. I'm keeping positive that the second infusion does its thing.

I hope everyone is ok. Skeye did you make a decision on your implant? I keep wondering about you.

I'm managing to sleep about 3 -4 hours at night on this stupid prednisone, it really gets my brain whirling. Anybody got any helpful suggestions?

Sorry I haven't been posting much lately, kids are on holiday now so less time to myself. Best wishes to all , I miss you guys, golitho

Hi Golitho,

I did Remicade infusions for crohns disease for 3 1/2 yrs. Then I went off of it and went back on again for almost a year because I developed a fistula. It induced Lupus, serum sickness and I built up antibodies to it so now I am on Humira. I do not know about RA, but can tell you most people could tell some difference in their joint pain after the 3rd infusion. It seems like when you do the initial dosing schedule that after the third infusion you can tell a difference. Once you do the initial dosing how often will you be having the infusions done? Granted ,I was getting it for a different problem, but back then the rule was an infusion every 8 weeks. Well, I never made it eight weeks because the symptoms would return with a vengeance. So, then they learned it does not stay in the body as along as they thought it did and it actually should be given to the patient tailored on their needs. I did infusions every four weeks. I sure hope you can get some relief soon.

Take care and let us know how you are doing.

  Dear Golitho,

     Hello! *warm huggs* I hope you are off your feet and realxing by now. You have alot on your plate! Ia m so sorry to hear of the extensive treatments you have to endure through. And on top of all the hussle and bussle of the holidays, I am sure you have your hands full. I just wanted to stop by and say that you are in our hearts, and hope these treaments , eventally, provide some much need relief for you. *warm huggs!!*

*huggs*

  dani