nodules and restricted movement

May 10, 2006

Hi Everyone,

I was just wondering if anyone is or has experience

this. Within the last few months, I have developed

pretty noticable RA nodules on both elbows. They dont

really bother me unless I sit down to rest my arms on

counter top or something. Then it feels like theres a

foriegn object under me, which is hard to get used to.

My rheummy says that's good that because it will

remind me not to lean on them. I guess even that's

considered " Micro-trauma " , which will just increase

nodules and the damage. She also told me that I need

to keep my arms straight whenever possible. If I dont,

it will later result in difficulty flexing my arms.

Now I dont know about you, but I dont often sit

around, walk around or even sleep with my arms down

strait. I guess I didnt realize how rare that position

is until I was made aware of it. ANd unfortunatly, I

am already feeling some discomfort and restriction

when I do try to staighten them completely. Im kicking

myself for not taking the doctors orders more

seriously, it just feels so un-natural to walk around

with the arms of a stick person!

melanie

--- a Papola <a54@...> wrote:

> Hi Jeff. Is this bump on her big toe? Is it a

> bunion?

> Here is a picture of a bunion:

>

> http://www.footandanklewest.com/bunions.htm

>

> a

>

> On May 8, 2006, at 4:38 PM, Jeff wrote:

>

> >

> > Hello Community,

> >

> > I joined a while ago but never posted before, so I

> guess that makes

> > me a

> > " newbie " [] . Anyway, hoping I can get some

> insights.

> >

> > My wife, , has RA. She's had a flare-up this

> week where

> > there's a

> > " bump " on a bone near the edge of the top of her

> right foot. She

> > can't

> > put weight on it without a lot of pain and, thus,

> is barely able to

> > walk. It's worse in the mornings.

> >

> > She is on a regimen of Methotrexate, Embrel and,

> since this flare-up

> > began, she also has been taking Aleve every six

> hours.

> >

> > Is there anyone out there who has had a similar

> problem and, if so,

> > how

> > did you treat it?

> >

> > Thanks in advance. Be well!

> > Jeff

> >

> > [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

> >

May 10, 2006

, I have had lots of nodules removed from my elbows and since taking

Enbrel have never had them come back. At one time in Canada it was considered

cosmetic surgery and the doc had to be creative to get permission for the

government to pay. That is changed now because they can get very large and more

than once I have been standing, leaned on the counter and when I did the nodule

moved and I lost my balance. I did have one very large one on the underside of

my arm but it felt quite different. It was the place where when you lean when

sitting and reading at a table. A plastic surgeon can remove these nodules by

just freezing the area, in about 10 mins.

As for walking around with your arm out straight is rather far out. You

certainly don't want to lose your flexibility. Do you think he was kidding? Just

imagine going a whole day without bending your elbow, impossible!

Hugs

June

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