feet/hands getting worse

[Guest guest]

hello everyone. It has been forever since I have posted anything.

My fingers and wrists end up hurting so much during and after the

typing. I decided I need to share my issues with others who can

understand.

I see my Rheumy every three months. I am on all the meds and then

some. I also have Fibromyalgia, OA, 2 ulcers, Degenerative Disc

Disease in my lower back, had two polyps removed from my colon, and

will be tested again this fall for Osteo. Doc says my bone damage is

more than he likes over the past couple of years.

For the past several months, my feet have been getting worse. I can

barely stand on them. Especially my left foot. The ankle...all the

way around...the top of my foot leading to my last two toes..and now

for the past six months and counting...the bottom of my left foot has

a lump that is always swollen and spreading. The lump started out on

the outer side of the bottom of my foot, now it has spread onto the

arch and other side. It causes so much pain that it takes me forever

to get comfortable enough to sleep. I wake constantly readjusting.

And I have to have padded slippers and two pairs of socks on before I

can stand on my feet. The right foot is now starting to show the

same signs of swelling and lumps. I have shown my Rhuemy twice. The

last time...a couple of weeks ago..he ordered xrays. I knew that he

would not find much because it is not bone..it is some mass, nerve or

muscle. I did tell him this...but he wanted to rule out bone

damage. Sure enough...saw lots of spurs...but no final explanation

for the swelling. I am frustrated and miserable. I cannot wash

dishes because I can't stand for the ten minutes. I hate to

cook...have to stand too long. I can't stand to have a comforter on

me...too much weight on my feet and knees. But in the Chicago

area...must have it or freeze! Doc has also noticed my new nodules

on my fingers, wrists and between my knuckles. I am always in pain.

Even driving causes aching. I am only 49 and have a 12 year old

daughter. I am stubborn and refuse to make her feel like she has a

mom that is damaged goods. But I am! I am on methotrexate,

nabumetone, prednisone, trazadone, plaquenil, folic acid, and a few

others for pain. I have tried enbrel...can't take it. I do not know

what to do at this point. I rest when I can. I do not work outside

of the home, but I do run our household. I have two other adult kids

that still live at home and do almost nothing to help out. I do not

think they really get it. They are decent people but I guess people

in their early to mid twenty's are all about themselves these days.

I am not depressed. I am spiritual. I do have a strong faith. But

I am frustrated. I have to change, adjust and manipulate every move

I make or I will pay for it later. Even showering can be a task.

Other than the meds, which I do not want to add on to my already

toxic list...and warm water..rest..etc...what can I do? Does anyone

else have these swollen knots on the bottom of your feet? What are

they? I do tons of research when I can...but I am a fanatic about

typos and spelling..so I it takes me forever to type due to my

constant backspacing and correcting. Weirdo that I am!

Also...my doc did up my nabumetone from 1000 mgs a day to 1500 mgs a

day. And yes..they are affecting my ulcers. Tons of severe stomach

pain and not much relief to my joints, swelling and RA pain.

Sorry for boring anyone with my humdrum whining. Just very

frustrated.

Have a gloriously pain free day.

Cathie

[Guest guest]

Hi Cathie:

So sorry to read you are in such awful pain. My feet and ankles are the

worst with my RA. I have a large nodule outside of my right foot. It

is very painful indeed.

I went to the foot dr., and I bought shoe inserts for my walking shoes.

He also had me buy top of the line running shoes, more support, and very

comfortable. I bought 2 pairs of inserts. One is firmer, I use when my

feet are good, and the other pair is like Memory foam. They are a God

send for me. They cushion my feet, and makes walking easier.

I don't know all the meds you take, but I take 10 mg. of Prednsone each

day. I have been on it for 6 years. I do know it takes quite awhile to

find the right combo. of drugs that work the best for you.

I also soak my feet in a foot bath/spa that I bought to get some relief

when I am flaring. I add Epsom salts, and it really is great.

I hope this info. helps you, and wishing you pain free days ahead.

Hugs,

Barbara

>

> hello everyone. It has been forever since I have posted anything.

> My fingers and wrists end up hurting so much during and after the

> typing. I decided I need to share my issues with others who can

> understand.

> I see my Rheumy every three months. I am on all the meds and then

> some. I also have Fibromyalgia, OA, 2 ulcers, Degenerative Disc

> Disease in my lower back, had two polyps removed from my colon, and

> will be tested again this fall for Osteo. Doc says my bone damage is

> more than he likes over the past couple of years.

> For the past several months, my feet have been getting worse. I can

> barely stand on them. Especially my left foot. The ankle...all the

> way around...the top of my foot leading to my last two toes..and now

> for the past six months and counting...the bottom of my left foot has

> a lump that is always swollen and spreading. The lump started out on

> the outer side of the bottom of my foot, now it has spread onto the

> arch and other side. It causes so much pain that it takes me forever

> to get comfortable enough to sleep. I wake constantly readjusting.

> And I have to have padded slippers and two pairs of socks on before I

> can stand on my feet. The right foot is now starting to show the

> same signs of swelling and lumps. I have shown my Rhuemy twice. The

> last time...a couple of weeks ago..he ordered xrays. I knew that he

> would not find much because it is not bone..it is some mass, nerve or

> muscle. I did tell him this...but he wanted to rule out bone

> damage. Sure enough...saw lots of spurs...but no final explanation

> for the swelling. I am frustrated and miserable. I cannot wash

> dishes because I can't stand for the ten minutes. I hate to

> cook...have to stand too long. I can't stand to have a comforter on

> me...too much weight on my feet and knees. But in the Chicago

> area...must have it or freeze! Doc has also noticed my new nodules

> on my fingers, wrists and between my knuckles. I am always in pain.

> Even driving causes aching. I am only 49 and have a 12 year old

> daughter. I am stubborn and refuse to make her feel like she has a

> mom that is damaged goods. But I am! I am on methotrexate,

> nabumetone, prednisone, trazadone, plaquenil, folic acid, and a few

> others for pain. I have tried enbrel...can't take it. I do not know

> what to do at this point. I rest when I can. I do not work outside

> of the home, but I do run our household. I have two other adult kids

> that still live at home and do almost nothing to help out. I do not

> think they really get it. They are decent people but I guess people

> in their early to mid twenty's are all about themselves these days.

> I am not depressed. I am spiritual. I do have a strong faith. But

> I am frustrated. I have to change, adjust and manipulate every move

> I make or I will pay for it later. Even showering can be a task.

> Other than the meds, which I do not want to add on to my already

> toxic list...and warm water..rest..etc...what can I do? Does anyone

> else have these swollen knots on the bottom of your feet? What are

> they? I do tons of research when I can...but I am a fanatic about

> typos and spelling..so I it takes me forever to type due to my

> constant backspacing and correcting. Weirdo that I am!

> Also...my doc did up my nabumetone from 1000 mgs a day to 1500 mgs a

> day. And yes..they are affecting my ulcers. Tons of severe stomach

> pain and not much relief to my joints, swelling and RA pain.

> Sorry for boring anyone with my humdrum whining. Just very

> frustrated.

> Have a gloriously pain free day.

> Cathie

>