Re: Re: Question about symmetrical pain

[Guest guest]

Thank you ,

you answered my question. I am having difficulty getting a diagnosis, my GP

thought I had RA, but the Rheummy is not so sure. Pain was initally both sides,

every joint, but after treatment with Pred it is now on the left hand side,

sometimes on the right but never as bad, and always in my left knee, although it

is in other parts as well (migratory). I do not have any redness, heat, or

swelling just pain (does that mean it's not RA). My first symptons kicked in 10

weeks ago (rapid onset). If anyone can help me with any of these questions I

would be really grateful.

Pennie

Randall <krandall@...> wrote:

I don't know if it's common or not, but I know it happens. When I

first developed RA, the joints on one side were often effected more

heavily than the joints on the other side. (not always the same

side) My rheumatologist told me that it wasn't uncommon in the

beginning stage of RA for it not to be completely symmetrical. She

said, with time, it USUALLY (but not always) becomes more

symmetrical.

>

> Hi everyone,

>

> I have a question about RA. I know that one of the

differentiating

> factors is that the joints are affected symmetrically. My joints

are

> affected on both sides, but almost always one side is in so much

more

> severe pain than the other side, that it overshadows the other

pain.

> Has anyone else had this experience?

>

> For example, yesterday I started feeling very strong, throbbing

pain

> in my left foot, mostly in my heel, but really all of the bones in

my

> foot hurt. My right foot is a little achy (as is the rest of my

> body), but my left foot hurts so bad that I have been limping for

the

> last 2 days now. I am wearing an ankle brace, just to releave

some of

> the discomfort.

>

> I have had similar pain patterns with my wrist and elbows...one

side

> hurting far more than the other side, etc. Is this common?

>

> Christie

>

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[Guest guest]

Pennie, when my RA first started, it was migratory and not always

bilateral.

Sue

On Tuesday, September 19, 2006, at 06:18 PM, Pennie Kellett wrote:

>

> you answered my question. I am having difficulty getting a

> diagnosis, my GP thought I had RA, but the Rheummy is not so sure.

> Pain was initally both sides, every joint, but after treatment with

> Pred it is now on the left hand side, sometimes on the right but never

> as bad, and always in my left knee, although it is in other parts as

> well (migratory). I do not have any redness, heat, or swelling just

> pain (does that mean it's not RA). My first symptons kicked in 10

> weeks ago (rapid onset). If anyone can help me with any of these

> questions I would be really grateful.

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you Sue

Pennie

Sue <marysue@...> wrote:

Pennie, when my RA first started, it was migratory and not always

bilateral.

Sue

On Tuesday, September 19, 2006, at 06:18 PM, Pennie Kellett wrote:

>

> you answered my question. I am having difficulty getting a

> diagnosis, my GP thought I had RA, but the Rheummy is not so sure.

> Pain was initally both sides, every joint, but after treatment with

> Pred it is now on the left hand side, sometimes on the right but never

> as bad, and always in my left knee, although it is in other parts as

> well (migratory). I do not have any redness, heat, or swelling just

> pain (does that mean it's not RA). My first symptons kicked in 10

> weeks ago (rapid onset). If anyone can help me with any of these

> questions I would be really grateful.

>

---------------------------------

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[Guest guest]

How does the doc " wean " you off the pred? Is it gradual or is it fast? I've been

on prednisone for almost 2 years and I go off it in Feb (2 year mark). '

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[Guest guest]

It is my understanding that when you take pred your body does not continue to

produce any. So they start with the largest dose decreasing it on the schedule

the doctor should set. This way as you take less and less your body start to

regain it. I think the reduction schedule is determined by how much and how

long you have taken it. Once I was on a high dose for several months and it

took several weeks to eliminate it and produce my own again. Without pred,

either taken or self made, can cause big time problems. I think pred in

quantity or over time should only be prescribed by a doctor that knows how to

handle it. There is also a package that is sometimes prescribed for short term

help. It comes in a blister pack with the days of the week listed, starting

with the highest amount. For example first day 5 tablets, then 4, then 3, 2,1.

I will accept that package from any doctor as it is preplaned which removes the

prescribing doctor out of the schedule. Just don't allow an ignorant doctor

have you abruptly stop it.

Betty