inflammatory arthritis of wrists and hands
I've recently been diagnosed with some type of arthritis but again like the rest of you nothing is for sure. Had lots of blood work but nothing is definitive. I suffer from the right sideof the wrist on right hand into the hand and two fingers w some swelling as well as left hand but not as bad. currently on anti inflammatory pills and I've added CBD for pain. When really bad I go on prednisone 10 mg . When do I know what is wrong and whats the path to a normal life again.
Can you tell us what kind of arthritis you were diagnosed with? This is important to know.
Are you seeing a rheumatologist?Did I understand correctly? That those of us on this forum don't know for sure what we have? I promise you, we do - and we know what treatment works for us. Sometimes it takes a while in the beginning to get the correct diagnosis.
Hi,
! Has your doctor given you any direction as to what type of arthritis you might have? There are some definite difference between different types of RA and different treatment options. You've mentioned you are on anti inflammatory medication. Do you mind sharing what you are taking? With certain types of arthritis (RA and PsA, for example), there are treatment options for trying to minimize the inflammation and joint damage that can occur. OA (osteoarthritis) is a little different from other forms of arthritis and may be treated a bit differently.
Do you feel like the anti inflammatory meds and CBD help? Prednisone can definitely be a good option, but is generally not as good long term, as it can have pretty significant side effects. Do you feel like the prednisone gives you some relief when you take it?
Sorry for all the questions, but the more details we have, the more helpful answers we may be able to give you.
Best, Erin, RheumatoidArthritis.net Team Member.
I have sero-negative RA myself, which means that none of my blood work shows any markers that are normally associated with RA. I also sometimes have to blast myself with prednisone so that I can get over a hump. It has more or less destroyed my teeth and other bones, but I don't really have a choice so I get it. You're not alone. "Normal life," can mean whatever you want it to mean, by the way. Most of us do eventually find a routine that works for us, and then that becomes "normal." It can take a while, though, so in the meantime let us know if there's anything we can do. Keep on keepin' on, DPM I knew a few things from helping my elderly in-laws back in the day and just for some reason I started thinking again about all the medical/dental etc... and what it will take. "The gold" of the golden years lol. There is a few other little tips and tricks. Examples:
1) Durable equipment- check to see what your insurance definition is:
believe this, my insurance is helping with compression socks. What?
Right they can wear out pretty darn quick, durable I say not, but yip.
2) Preventative Care- again insurance your insurance definition: It might
help with blood pressure cuff, pulse meter, exercise program, other
things. Ensure / Boost drink for weight and nutrition help. I believe even Depends (urinary panties) fall in this also, they do somewhere with in the insurance world, especially in Medicare and Medicaid. Yip..
Most insurance companies have Patient Advocates and of course customer service reps. that have helped me through many questions of what I believe can be silly, but usually get some unexpected answers that I was hoping for. Never know until we ask.
Maybe one day we can cover income tax and medical expenses LOL serious though.
Hope some of this helps you and others.
Doris
This is some great advice and information,
. Thanks for chiming in. Warmest of wishes! - Lori (Team Member)
Prednisone is magical in hammering flares and controlling the disease. It is also magical at the extent of damage it causes. There is a general theory that the damage is controlled if you stay at or under 7mg/day. But that number doesn’t mean for years. After several years on prednisone, I have been on it, maybe 5 years total over the last 30….most of that in the last ten - had sarcoidosis 30 years ago. But when I get off prednisone…after a few months I will lose a lot of weight, I will lose the “chipmunk “ face…I just tried to get off of it again and my pain, two flares every day is unbearable. Today, I gave in…feeling great now. Rats.
It's funny I finally got under 7 myself and there really wasn't any over-night magical change that was immediately noticeable. I still have the shark-fin like hump right below my sternum which on my body is indicative of the amount of prednisone bloat I'm currently retaining. It's at it's lowest ever, for sure, but it's still there. I'm not sure how much lower than 5mg I can go, but I'll try and see what happens. Thanks for sharing, you are totally right, keep on keepin' on, DPM
