Diagnosis change ..symptoms the same
I was diagnosed over 5 Yrs ago with RA. Treated with various meds..oral, infusions and injections. Went to a closer located, new to town rheumatologist..told I did not have RA but severe osteoarthritis. I’m forever stiff especially after inactivity. I walk like a turtle. My knees can hurt..not all the time. Tired, achy and plain old tired of living like this. My bone density in my right hip decreased so dramatically that report said..possible underlying condition responsible but still not diagnosis change. Am I being treated properly with Celebrex and Tylenol only?
Hi
. It's odd that the new doctor would diagnose you with osteoarthritis only, yet still continue prescribing Celebrex. Celebrex is an RA medication and generally does not help with osteoarthritis, which is not an autoimmune disease. Many people do well on your medications, but it sounds like Celebrex and Tylenol are not doing enough for you. Though this doctor is more convenient, you might want to consider switching back to your former doctor or finding someone new. Wishing you the best. - Lori (Team Member) 
I am sorry you are experiencing so much pain! It really does wear us down! I am sorry the Celebrex and Tylenol are not making enough a difference for you. Celebrex is a prescription NSAID used in both OA and RA. You may want to ask your doctor about Mobic. It is also a prescription NSAID, that works slightly differently. Maybe it would help? I am curious if you ever felt the RA treatments, especially immunosuppressants, gave you any relief? Pain killers, NSAIDS and steroids can give relief to the pain of both RA and OA. Some people believe the pain of OA is not as significant as RA. That just is not true. Both can significantly affect our quality of life. I recently had a hand MRI that confirmed I have both OA and RA. My worst joint was the base of the thumb, where it meets the wrist. On the scan, that area appeared more OA than RA. A steroid injection calmed it down significantly. I had assumed it was RA pain, as that is what is in my knuckles at the bases of my fingers. I was amazed at how much better I felt in general by decreasing the severe hand pain. My other joints are still flaring, but I am tolerating it better with the worst joint getting injected. The good news, is if it is OA without RA you do not need immunosuppressants. The tougher news is finding something that gives you relief from the OA pain. It is possible that once your pain is under better control you will feel less tired and achy in general. I Hope for clarity in your diagnosis and relief from pain so you can return to happier activities, Jo (Moderator)
