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Hi, i'm a new member....just found your site today.  In October 2005, I was diagnosed with a lung condition called Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.  At the time, I was also tested for Rheumatoid Athritis (RA), but the test came back negative.  Then in April of 2006, I developed joint pains so much so that for one week I could not move without assistance (every joint in my body ached--I couldn't open a jar; I couldn't open any door that required a key; stooping to sit on the toilet was painful; it hurt when I had to take a shower, etc.).  That's when I went to see a Rheumatologist.  This time the tests came back showing a high Sed rate and a positive RH factor.  Soon after, it was decided that the problem with my lungs stems from the Rheumatoid Arthritis.  I have what is called a rhuematoid lung.  My pulmonologist put me on prednisone and the rheumatologist started me on hydroxycholorquine (Plaquenil).  It's been three years now since I've been sick.  My last hospitalization was in August of 2006.  Since then, I have been fairly "healthy" in that I was able to work from that time on up until my lay off on July 11, 2008.  In May my pulmonogist finally agreed with me to start tapering me off the prednisone (given the side effects of long term use).  I felt fine and had not experienced any joint or muscle pains in a long time, so much so that I started wondering if I shouldn't stop my bi-monthly visits with my rheumatologist.  I also was not coughing as much as I used to.  At the tiime I began cutting back on the prednisone (three months ago), I was taking a maintenance dose of 10mg per day, while still taking the Plaquenil.  I did one month of 10mg and 7.5 mg alternately, then another month of 7.5mg and 5mg and then another of 5 and 2.5.  Now I am supposed to be doing 2.5 every other day, which I was doing until a couple of weeks ago when I started having really bad joint pains.  I could not make a fist with my right hand and my shoulders hurt like  crazy.  It seems my body was beginning to react to the reduced level of  prednisone.  Then I developed this itch, first in the palm of my left hand, and then on both writs, on my knees, and back of both hands.  I had this exact symptome last year, where I itched so badly in my back that it left scars from my scratching.  I had gone to the dermatologist who was at a loss as to what was making me itch, even after he did a skin biopsy.  The itch finally went away after two weeks or so.  Now here I am experiencing the same type of itching.  On Friday morning (July 22), I went to an urgent care clinic (the co-pay is less than the ER) after having not slept in two days because my legs (from my knees on down to the top of my feet) itched so badly.  I was MISERABLE.  I had taken over-the-counter benadryl, benadryl tablets, hydrocortisone cream, steroidal creams that the dermatologist prescribed last year; and increased my dose of prednisone to 10mg and then back down to 5mg, all in one week.  Nothing worked!  I begged the doctor at the clinic for a shot of benadryl; I told him I needed relief today, as in right now.  He also wrote out some other things he wanted me to take (including allegra).  Still, the itching did not go away.  Thank God for my mother (I had moved back home shortly before the diagnosis with RA).  She called the clinic back and spoke with the doctor seeing that the benadryl hadn't even put me to sleep, much less stop the itching.  He called in Zanex to my pharmacy.  I took this drug and went to sleep in about an hour or so.  When I woke up in the morning, I was itchless...all gone, except that now I felt a heaviness in my feet, which I can feel even now to some degree.  I'm thinking it's probably due to the heavy duty scratching with which I assaulted my legs for 3 days.  I'm also feeling a bit weak, but am gaining back my strength by eating.  I wanted to share my story with people who probably can relate.  I'm sorry I went on for too long.  I'm looking forward to your comments.  Thanks for listening.

Maudrine

Thanks Rosie, for the welcome.  No, I was never tested for lupus.  But from what I understand, a lot of these autoimmune diseases mask each other because the sypmtoms tend to be the same.  I haven't had any hair loss, butterfly-shaped rash, memory loss, depression, etc.  I do occasionally get Raynaud's phenomenon (fingers turning blue when exposed to extreme cold), however.  I forgot to include my age in my previous post.  I am 37. These are the sypmtoms of RA     ·          Stiffness. The joint is harder to use and might have a limited range of motion. Morning stiffness is one of the hallmark symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. While many people without it have stiff joints in the morning, it can take people with rheumatoid arthritis more than an hour (sometimes several hours) before their joints feel loose. ·          Swelling. Fluid enters into the joint and it becomes puffy; this also contributes to stiffness. ·          Pain. Inflammation inside a joint makes it sensitive and tender. Prolonged inflammation causes damage that also contributes to pain. ·          Redness and warmth. The joints may be somewhat warmer and more pink or red than the neighboring skin . Which joints does RA affect? The hands are most often affected, although literally any joint can be affected by rheumatoid arthritis: knees, wrists, neck, shoulders, elbows, even the jaw. Joints are usually affected in a symmetrical pattern -- the same joints on both sides of the body. Symptoms That Affect the Entire Body Rheumatoid arthritis also acts throughout the body, and it can have general effects or involve other areas besides the joints. These effects all result from the general process of inflammation: ·          Fatigue ·          Malaise (feeling ill) ·          Loss of appetite, which can lead to weight loss ·          Muscle aches These feelings have been compared to having the flu , although they are usually less intense. Rheumatoid arthritis may affect your skin, lungs, and voice. Here's how: ·          Rheumatoid nodules are bumps under the skin that most often appear on the elbows. Sometimes they are painful. Injection treatments usually help. ·          Lung involvement is common but usually causes no symptoms. If shortness of breath develops, it can be treated with medicines that reduce inflammation in the lungs. ·          Rheumatoid arthritis can even affect a joint in your voice box or larynx (cricoarytenoid joint), causing hoarseness. WebMD Medical Reference

Hi Maudrine,

 

Welcome!  There are quite a few of us here with RA as well. I'm in the process of trying to get a diagnosis of "something".  I have ALL the classic RA symptoms except the positive RA factor.  I was tested back in February and it was negative. Since then, all my symptoms have become unbearable.  I even have 3 toes that have started to deform.  What's so frustrating is that my rheumy, who I just saw last week, DIDN't recheck me for the RA factor.  I can't believe it..... 

 

So reading about your history was really informative to me.  In this past week, I've developed a dry, annoying cough, and I do have a raspy voice.  I didn't know those were symptoms of RA too.  I see my pcp tomorrow, who I will be asking to recheck my RA factor and tell him of my new symptoms.  I had a full body bone scan done last Thursday.  Results come back to my rheumy this coming Thursday.

 

But to talk about your itching.... That is very unusual and super annoying.  I can only imagine.... Itching is for some people a sign of Fibromyalgia.  I have it.  I did have some itching issues, now that I think back, about 6 or 7 years ago.  When I was first diagnosed with Fibro.  You might want to ask the folks in the Fibromyalgia forum what they think....

 

I hope you can get it all under control.  Glad to have you here!

 

Ginny

Thanks Ginny.  I will read upon fibromyalgia.  My rheumatologist does not think there's a link between the itching and the arthritis.  Very weird indeed since I have not been eating any new foods or using any new soaps, etc. 

Rosies, I didn't know you had an RA forum.  I don't remember seeing it on the list.  Can you tell me exactly where it is?

Hi Maudrine, welcome! Thank you for sharing the symptoms of RA. I have a lot of joint pain and on a lot of meds and still in pain.

It's funny you mention the itching, I get it on my hand right from my thumb to my wrist and on my feet and legs. It's usually small patches and drives me crazy, nothing helps... lotion, etc.

I'm glad you are starting to feel better. Take care