HI, I HAVE HAD SEVERE PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS FOR THE PAST 6 YEARS. IT HAS CAUSED ME TO LOSE MY TOE AND FINGER NAILS AND SEVERE JOINT DETERIORATION. I WAS ON METHOTREXATE FOR A LONG PERIOD WITH NO SUCCESS AND THEN ON TO ARAVA COMBINED WITH STERIODS AND ANTI INFLAMATORIES. 12 MONTHS AGO I WENT OFF ALL DRUGS AS THEY WERE NOT PUTTING MY ARTHRITIS INTO REMISSION. MY PAIN LEVELS ARE CHRONIC AND I WOULD LIKE TO FIND NATURAL THERAPIES TO TRY AND PUT MY ARTHRITIS INTO REMISSION. I AM DESPERATE.
Shingles while taking Enbrel
I have had R.A. from 1981 and now i have brokeout with shingles should i stop takeing Enbrel as long as i have the shingles ?
Not getting better with methotrexate
I was diagnosed with RA in July and I have been on naproxen (500 mg twice daily)and methotrexate (now taking 17.5 mg weekly). I have gone from bad to worse and yet my doctor does not want to add any other medications because of “insurance issues”. I have excellent insurance and am increasingly in pain, greater inflammation and much mmore limited in movement than I was at the onset of the condition. I am not inclined to take medication I don’t need but from what I can read, a combination of medications may be useful in treating RA. Do I need a new doctor?
Heberden’s nodes and osteoarthritis
Is there a surgery for Heberdon’s nodes?
Lyme arthritis and tick bites
I had a tick bite with a typical rash. The blood test however was negative. I was on antibiotics for 21days which eased the symptoms(joint pains and early morning stiffness of hands). After 3 months I am having the same pains again. My Doctor is not sure if it is Rheumatiod Arthritis or re-occuring arthriris of Lymes Disease as the blood test is negative for both. What is the Differential Diagnosis for Lymes arthritis and Rheumatiod Arthritis, in terms of the symptoms.
New RA diagnosis
Dr, I’m a 44 year old female and have just been diagnosed with RA. My PCP ran first few tests..RF came back + but low (1:180), CRP was – and my sed rate was -, ANA was also + but according to him it too was low. My rheumatologist also ran blood panel and anti-CCP was + . Is there a range for this test also that indicates high or low? I have not started meds yet because the Rheum was awaiting my blood work but I have an appt in a week and I’m very afraid of all the side effects of the meds. I have had no swelling since the first of October and before than I have only had swelling on one other occasion both times in my thumb and forefinger. If I wait for another flare to start meds will I be doing damage? Is the RA doing damage even when there is no swelling? I’m so scared.
