Posted 5/4/2017 12:59 AM (GMT 0)
So I'm frustrated and mostly wanted to vent, but I welcome advice if you have it. I've been dealing with joint pain, isolated in one foot initially, since the fall of 2015. Since the pain began in the big toe joint of one foot I saw a podiatrist who misdiagnosed me with sesamoiditis. This initial podiatrist did cortisone shots and they would almost immediately relieve the pain. Approximately a year after the initial diagnosis he ordered an MRI because he thought I shouldn't still be having pain. After reviewing the MRI he told me that everything looked normal and suggested cutting the sesamoid bones out of my foot, even though they did not look abnormal on the MRI, at this idea I sought out a second opinion. I picked up my medical records from the first office and read clearly on the MRI report that there was new or mild inflammatory arthritis throughout the joints of my forefoot. The second podiatrist after reviewing the MRI referred me to rheumatologist who has since diagnosed me with Crohn's related arthritis. So in an effort to get the arthritis under control the rheumy increased my Humira to once a week instead of biweekly, there was no improvement for my joints and now she wants to add methotrexate.
I am apprehensive about using methotrexate because of its possible side effects and I would rather not be on an immune suppressant. I feel like this is a huge leap, isn't there another drug to try? My GI does not want to try another biologic because I have previously used Remicade and he thinks that the Humira is working to keep my Crohn's under control. Also, I'm a wimp and do not want to add anymore injections, I realize this is not a great reason to not use a medication.