What type of inflammatory arthritis do I have?

[Guest guest]

Back in May 2009, I was diagnosed with seronegative inflammatory arthritis of the MTP joint of the second toe on my left foot. This was based entirely on the MRI. I was started on Plaquenil, had an allergic reaction to it 3 weeks later, then started on Methotrexate. I had to discontinue the MTX due to another allergic reaction (we thought! It turned out to be a staph infection on my lips due to my lower immunity being on the MTX.) We started cortisone shots into the joint which kinda worked the first time (my rheumy does them rather than referring patients to an orthopedic surgeon.) The second one three

months later was such a relief! It only last 3 weeks because, my rheumy said, it wore off due to the joint being in my foot.Fast forward to April 2010. I had been put back on MTX, and it seemed to be

controlling the initial arthritis in my left foot, when I noticed the same type of pain in the same MTP joint of my right foot, occasionally in both 4th MTP joints, and that it was controlling pain in my right sacroiliac joint in my low back. Is this seronegative rheumatoid arthritis? My rheumy says no, but according to everything I've read, it is. I'm still in pain, and she tells me that she's following protocols again, even though everything I've read suggests it's necessary to treat this type of arthritis aggressively. One DMARD that she won't increase the dosage on, and the shots are still an option, even though she had previously warned me that the cortisone will eventually cause deterioration of the bone. Oh, and she has yet to do any further xrays or other diagnostic tests to determine if the other joints are arthritis or not. I've managed to make arrangements to be referred to a large rheumy

clinic in Toronto, but haven't yet received the appointment details. In the meanwhile, I'm struggling to understand what I'm dealing with in order to be an active participant in my treatment. Thanks!Elise —When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves ~ Victor l

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/14/10 1:03:21 PM, localhistorylibrarian@... writes:

Is this seronegative rheumatoid arthritis?  My rheumy says no, but according to everything I've read, it is. 

*****

I suggest you ask your doctor why she thinks you do not have rheumatoid arthritis. She may very well be correct that you have another kind of arthritis.

I was diagnosed with RA some 25 years ago based on a very high rheumatoid factor in my blood. Shortly thereafter I was also diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis based on the fact that I had pustular psoriasis and the two go hand-in-hand. Though the two forms of arthritis affect different joints in my hands and feet (and the rest of my body), the treatment is the same. But my rheumy can tell by looking at an individual joint whether the damage is caused by RA or psoriatic arthritis.

Now I also have osteoarthritis. How lucky can one person get?

Regards,

[Guest guest]

Could it be gout?

From: Elise C. Cole <localhistorylibrarian@...>Subject: What type of inflammatory arthritis do I have?Rheumatoid Arthritis Date: Monday, August 2, 2010, 11:11 PM

Back in May 2009, I was diagnosed with seronegative inflammatory arthritis of the MTP joint of the second toe on my left foot. This was based entirely on the MRI. I was started on Plaquenil, had an allergic reaction to it 3 weeks later, then started on Methotrexate. I had to discontinue the MTX due to another allergic reaction (we thought! It turned out to be a staph infection on my lips due to my lower immunity being on the MTX.) We started cortisone shots into the joint which kinda worked the first time (my rheumy does them rather than referring patients to an orthopedic surgeon.) The second one three months later was such a relief! It only last 3 weeks because, my rheumy said, it wore off due to the joint being in my foot.Fast forward to April 2010. I had been put back on MTX, and it seemed to be controlling the initial arthritis in my left foot, when I noticed the same type of pain in

the same MTP joint of my right foot, occasionally in both 4th MTP joints, and that it was controlling pain in my right sacroiliac joint in my low back. Is this seronegative rheumatoid arthritis? My rheumy says no, but according to everything I've read, it is. I'm still in pain, and she tells me that she's following protocols again, even though everything I've read suggests it's necessary to treat this type of arthritis aggressively. One DMARD that she won't increase the dosage on, and the shots are still an option, even though she had previously warned me that the cortisone will eventually cause deterioration of the bone. Oh, and she has yet to do any further xrays or other diagnostic tests to determine if the other joints are arthritis or not. I've managed to make arrangements to be referred to a large rheumy clinic in Toronto, but haven't yet received the appointment details. In the meanwhile,

I'm struggling to understand what I'm dealing with in order to be an active participant in my treatment. Thanks!Elise

—When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves ~ Victor l

[Guest guest]

I hope they get moving on that clinic in Toronto.  There is such a difference in the way that they treat.  I'm in Toronto myself.  Did they pick a rheumy, or just send to the clinic?I am seronegative but it is still full blown RA

AnnetteOn Mon, Aug 2, 2010 at 11:11 PM, Elise C. Cole <localhistorylibrarian@...> wrote:

 

Back in May 2009, I was diagnosed with seronegative inflammatory arthritis of the MTP joint of the second toe on my left foot.  This was based entirely on the MRI.  I was started on Plaquenil, had an allergic reaction to it 3 weeks later, then started on Methotrexate.  I had to discontinue the MTX due to another allergic reaction (we thought!  It turned out to be a staph infection on my lips due to my lower immunity being on the MTX.)  We started cortisone shots into the joint which kinda worked the first time (my rheumy does them rather than referring patients to an orthopedic surgeon.)  The second one three

months later was such a relief!  It only last 3 weeks because, my rheumy said, it wore off due to the joint being in my foot.Fast forward to April 2010.  I had been put back on MTX, and it seemed to be

controlling the initial arthritis in my left foot, when I noticed the same type of pain in the same MTP joint of my right foot, occasionally in both 4th MTP joints, and that it was controlling pain in my right sacroiliac joint in my low back. 

Is this seronegative rheumatoid arthritis?  My rheumy says no, but according to everything I've read, it is.  I'm still in pain, and she tells me that she's following protocols again, even though everything I've read suggests it's necessary to treat this type of arthritis aggressively.  One DMARD that she won't increase the dosage on, and the shots are still an option, even though she had previously warned me that the cortisone will eventually cause deterioration of the bone.  Oh, and she has yet to do any further xrays or other diagnostic tests to determine if the other joints are arthritis or not. 

I've managed to make arrangements to be referred to a large rheumy

clinic in Toronto, but haven't yet received the appointment details.  In the meanwhile, I'm struggling to understand what I'm dealing with in order to be an active participant in my treatment. Thanks!

Elise   —When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves ~ Victor l

 

[Guest guest]

Dear Elise- I myself am on my 23rd Rheumatologist because I refuse to accept an opinion or a treatment I feel is not in my best interest.  If the saying physician heal thyself holds true then patient heal thyself holds doubly true!!  Go with your instinct. I wonder if your ANA titre is abnormal, and what your sed rate may be.  When I first got RA it moved all over my body.  If you can be given a low dose steriod 1mg for a week, then add 1 mg a week to that and so on until you are up to 3mg - 6mg. Also why isnt plaquenil being prescribed or an anti inflammatory too.  Strange indeed.  Your disease can change, but doctors usually dont want to see it.  They dont usually want to see what is more complicated in a patients case.  Have you been checked for an Rheumatoid Factor? Sounds to me like the pain is moving around on you.  I would definately go with your instinct and listen to your body since you know it best.  Wonderful to hear you are advocating for yourself.  Go to www.arthritisfoundation.org for additional information should you need it.  Hang in there and good luck.  Deborah. RA since 1994.

 Mon, Aug 2, 2010 at 11:11 PM, Elise C. Cole <localhistorylibrarian@...> wrote:

 

Back in May 2009, I was diagnosed with seronegative inflammatory arthritis of the MTP joint of the second toe on my left foot.  This was based entirely on the MRI.  I was started on Plaquenil, had an allergic reaction to it 3 weeks later, then started on Methotrexate.  I had to discontinue the MTX due to another allergic reaction (we thought!  It turned out to be a staph infection on my lips due to my lower immunity being on the MTX.)  We started cortisone shots into the joint which kinda worked the first time (my rheumy does them rather than referring patients to an orthopedic surgeon.)  The second one three

months later was such a relief!  It only last 3 weeks because, my rheumy said, it wore off due to the joint being in my foot.Fast forward to April 2010.  I had been put back on MTX, and it seemed to be

controlling the initial arthritis in my left foot, when I noticed the same type of pain in the same MTP joint of my right foot, occasionally in both 4th MTP joints, and that it was controlling pain in my right sacroiliac joint in my low back. 

Is this seronegative rheumatoid arthritis?  My rheumy says no, but according to everything I've read, it is.  I'm still in pain, and she tells me that she's following protocols again, even though everything I've read suggests it's necessary to treat this type of arthritis aggressively.  One DMARD that she won't increase the dosage on, and the shots are still an option, even though she had previously warned me that the cortisone will eventually cause deterioration of the bone.  Oh, and she has yet to do any further xrays or other diagnostic tests to determine if the other joints are arthritis or not. 

I've managed to make arrangements to be referred to a large rheumy

clinic in Toronto, but haven't yet received the appointment details.  In the meanwhile, I'm struggling to understand what I'm dealing with in order to be an active participant in my treatment. Thanks!

Elise   —When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves ~ Victor l

 

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,Thank you so very much for your suggestions and ideas. I've been referred to the RA clinic at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto - very good reputation! However, the appt isn't until December 14th! Fingers crossed for a cancellation!Gout has been ruled out since it's not my big toe and I don't show the uric acid levels that go with it. I don't have an RA factor in my bloodwork. The rest of my bloodwork is "normal" according my my doctor. I do have a prescription for naproxen. I try to avoid it not only because it makes me very tired, but because it also increases the toxicity of the MTX. Since Plaquenil is not an option because of my allergy to it, I'm hoping that this new doctor will consider increasing my MTX dosage and/or adding another DMARD to the mix. Fingers

crossed!Elise —When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves ~ Victor l

Back in May 2009, I was diagnosed with seronegative inflammatory arthritis of the MTP joint of the second toe on my left foot. This was based entirely on the MRI. I was started on Plaquenil, had an allergic reaction to it 3 weeks later, then started on Methotrexate. I had to discontinue the MTX due to another allergic reaction (we thought! It turned out to be a staph infection on my lips due to my lower immunity being on the MTX.) We started cortisone shots into the joint which kinda worked the first time (my rheumy does them rather than referring patients to an orthopedic surgeon.) The second one three

months later was such a relief! It only last 3 weeks because, my rheumy said, it wore off due to the joint being in my foot.Fast forward to April 2010. I had been put back on MTX, and it seemed to be

controlling the initial arthritis in my left foot, when I noticed the same type of pain in the same MTP joint of my right foot, occasionally in both 4th MTP joints, and that it was controlling pain in my right sacroiliac joint in my low back.

Is this seronegative rheumatoid arthritis? My rheumy says no, but according to everything I've read, it is. I'm still in pain, and she tells me that she's following protocols again, even though everything I've read suggests it's necessary to treat this type of arthritis aggressively. One DMARD that she won't increase the dosage on, and the shots are still an option, even though she had previously warned me that the cortisone will eventually cause deterioration of the bone. Oh, and she has yet to do any further xrays or other diagnostic tests to determine if the other joints are arthritis or not.

I've managed to make arrangements to be referred to a large rheumy

clinic in Toronto, but haven't yet received the appointment details. In the meanwhile, I'm struggling to understand what I'm dealing with in order to be an active participant in my treatment. Thanks!

Elise —When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves ~ Victor l